Ampersand challenges $750,000 Ogdensburg hydro property assessment

Ampersand Ogdensburg Hydro LLC is challenging a $750,000 assessment tied to its hydroelectric project on the Oswegatchie River in Ogdensburg. The company filed a petition Aug. 7 in St. Lawrence County Supreme Court against the City of Ogdensburg, the city assessor and the Board of Assessment Review.

The company says its easement on city-owned property does not create a taxable ownership interest and that its interest has no taxable value. The city’s Board of Assessment Review left the 2026 assessment unchanged. The Ogdensburg City School District has told the court it plans to participate in the case. The city had not filed a response, and Ampersand is seeking removal of the assessment, legal costs and other relief.