PLATTSBURGH -- Mayor Donald Kasprzak wants to hear from any potential developers who may be interested in the Federal Building at the corner of Margaret and Brinkerhoff streets.

The building is being made available to the community for development.

Thus far, only the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts has made an official inquiry for its use.

The center is proposing to use the building, which is next to the historic Strand Theatre, as part of an arts corridor it wants to create on Brinkerhoff Street.

The building would house classes for pottery, dance and theatre management.

Cultural Center Executive Director Susan Daul said the federal government sees using the building for educational purposes as the top priority.

The center is working with state and federal officials to put together a 30-year plan to use the building that would include an educational component.

If the government does not approve of the center's plan, then the structure would go out to public sale through sealed bids.

The mayor said the city would be better off if the building went to a private developer who would put the property back on the tax rolls.

If it went to the Cultural Center, it would not be taxable.

"My responsibility as mayor is to make sure that the city has more than just one option for that building," Kasprzak said.

The mayor said he has talked with some developers who may be interested in the building, and he believes there are more.

"It could make for nice office space, retail or all kinds of possibilities," he said. "I would encourage any developer that might be interested to contact me."

The city must let the federal government know by July 22 whether anyone else besides the Cultural Center is interested in the building.

Daul said the mayor has no say in who gets the building.