City Of Fulton Announces Approved DRI Projects

FULTON – Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels announced via Facebook last night that the state has approved several projects proposed to be funded through the Downtown Revitalization Fund.

Governor Andrew Cuomo visited the city in August 2019 to announce it had been chosen to receive the $10 million grant to use for revitalizing its downtown area, and the Local Planning Committee voted on the final slate of projects to submit to the state for approval in March 2020.

“We welcomed Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul to announce the funding of our $10mil DRI projects. It’s been a long awaited 2 years and the time has come to celebrate our future growth and opportunities,” Michaels said in the Facebook post. “Again we thank our partners in Albany for the investment in the City of Fulton and for believing in our future.”

The specific projects to be funded through the DRI include:

1. Expansion of Oswego Health Essential Services – $2,000,000: Bring additional medical services to downtown Fulton through the expansion of Oswego Health’s Fulton campus.
2. Revitalize a Vacant Building on the Former Nestle site – $1,500,000: Renovate and re-purpose an abandoned building on the old Nestle site into a mixed-use development. Proposed uses include 55-65 residential units, office space, restaurant and a Nestle museum.
3. Develop a New Manufacturing Start-up Facility on the Former Nestle Site – $860,000: Build a new facility on the former Nestle site to attract and expand advanced start-up manufacturing businesses.
4. Create a Business Assistance Fund to Provide Resources and Financial Support to Encourage Downtown Revitalization – $750,000: Establish a Grant Fund to help local businesses with building upgrades, permanent equipment purchases, and technical assistance.
5. Strengthen Infrastructure of Building & Machinery at Major Manufacturing Facility – $420,000: Undertake facility and infrastructure upgrades at the Huhtamaki manufacturing campus to maintain jobs, enhance streetscapes, and improve pedestrian safety.
6. Raise the Roof on Arts and Entertainment in the Heart of Downtown Fulton – $352,000: Make improvements to the CNY Community Arts Center by leveling the roof over the south side of the building to match the existing Mezzanine roof level, creating new usable space for expanded activities, and completing on-site sewer repair work.
7. Create a Downtown Vibe Through Multi-Site Improvements – $185,000: Undertake renovation and expansion activities at six commercial locations in the center of Fulton’s downtown: Canalview Mall, Cayuga St Café, Dizzy Block Brewing, Empire Drone Company, Fulton Family Medicine Renovations, and Tavern on the Lock Expansion.
8. Restore and Transform an Abandoned Historic Building Into an Inn and Café – $140,000: Transform a historic vacant building located at 181 S. 1st Street into Kings Road Inn, a 4-6 room inn with cafe and coffee lounge.
9. Provide Fast Casual Food Choices in Downtown Fulton – $137,000: Undertake interior and exterior renovations of a vacant building to create a counter service restaurant with a globally influenced menu. The site will include an outdoor patio and drive-thru pick up window.
10. Redevelop a Commercial Building in the 481 Gateway Corridor – $112,000: Rehabilitation of a strip mall visible from the 481 gateway for new and existing tenants. New tenants to include barber shop and beauty supply store.
11. Enhance the Beauty and Functionality of Fulton’s Waterfront for Residents and Visitors – $1,713,000: Modernize and enhance the waterfront area and Canal Landing Marina to create a premium destination and attraction for boaters, visitor and residents, while establishing a strong connection to the core downtown area.
12. Construct Multi-Use Walking Trails within the DRI Boundary – $820,000: Complete construction of the Pathfinder Canal Towpath Trail on the east side of the Oswego River, install decorative uplighting on the Broadway and Oneida Street Bridges, and add new fencing to the Oneida Bridge.
13. Update and Energize the Library to Improve Accessibility and Create a Cultural Destination for Residents and Visitors – $311,000: Undertake improvements to the historic Fulton Public Library to create new outdoor public spaces and improve safety. Work will include rehabilitation of two emergency staircases, rehabilitation of two chimneys, and construction of two outdoor meeting areas with a connection to the trail system.
14. Upgrade Internet Services in the City of Fulton – $200,000: Provide reliable high-speed internet for local businesses and residents through installation of fiber optics and Wi-Fi infrastructure.
15. Implement a Community-Supported Downtown and Historic Marker and Signage Program – $100,000: Promote downtown Fulton attractions including, but not limited to, the historic district, Pathfinder, Towpath and Canalview trails, and CNY Arts Center.
16. Update the City’s Zoning Code to Allow for Infill Mixed-Use Development Along South 1st Street – $100,000: Update the City’s zoning code and design guidelines for the DRI area, and specifically along South 1st Street, to support and attract new development that is consistent with the vision for the downtown.

Previous Oswego County Today coverage on the DRI can be found here.

Governor Andrew Cuomo also released a press release announcing the projects, which can be found here.

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