UPDATE 8/12/21: Today Executive Director of the Port of Oswego Authority William Scriber today released a statement in response to an announcement made by Mayor Billy Barlow yesterday in regards to a pause in construction at the Port’s East Terminal. That statement can be found here.
OSWEGO – Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced today that the City of Oswego’s request for a temporary restraining order against the Port of Oswego Authority, seeking the halt of construction activity at the Port’s East Terminal, successfully resulted in a consent order between the parties stopping the large structure under construction as part of the Grain Handling Improvements Project while the Supreme Court reviews the city’s legal action.
The court order came about today after lawyers for the City and Port met with State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Gilbert in Syracuse to discuss the city’s request.
According to Barlow’s office, the lawsuit was filed after it became abundantly clear the Port was constructing a much larger structure than that which was approved by the Port’s Board of Directors in September of 2020. The original structure was a dome-shaped 124-foot diameter and 55-foot-high building. The building under construction measures 150 feet by 150 feet and at least 70 feet high. The larger building is positioned in a way that eliminates the view of the Oswego Lighthouse from the Great Lakes Seaway Trail.
“Today is a big win for the city, business owners and people of Oswego, but it is just the beginning,” Barlow said. “Today’s decision reaffirms our position that the Port did not properly vet this project with the community, they repeatedly and incorrectly state the rules don’t apply to them and their failed, incoherent approach to this project must require another look and take the rest of the community into consideration.”
Barlow also added he felt a sense of relief knowing it has been confirmed the Port did not brief city government on the project and the structure that was being built was never revealed to the public until it was too late.
The court order provides for a complete cessation of construction of the large 150 x 150-foot building until further order by the Supreme Court, and a representation by the Port that the rest of the construction activity currently underway is in substantial compliance with the project design dimensions considered and originally approved by the Port Board of Directors.
The Supreme Court is tentatively set to hear oral arguments on the City’s legal action on September 7.
Press release from Mayor Billy Barlow’s office.
Previous coverage of the conflict between the City and the Port can be found here.
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