FULTON – The City of Fulton’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Advisory Committee hosted Oswego Health at its May 9 meeting to hear details regarding the health system’s medical expansion in Fulton.
In 2021, Oswego Health was awarded a $2 million DRI grant to expand healthcare facilities in Fulton. Speaking on behalf of Oswego Health, Billy Barlow explained the organization’s goals are to develop the Fulton medical campus and improve the overall aesthetics of its property along the 481 Corridor. In addition to the DRI grant, Oswego Health received a $2 million Restore NY grant. The project is well underway. Phase one includes the demolition of the green warehouse on Park Street, expansion of the parking lot, adding green space, and a community courtyard, all set to be complete by the end of 2024. Demolition of the green warehouse is complete and work to ready the site for redevelopment is underway.
Phase two, which is the DRI portion of the project, will include enhancements to the urgent care façade and investment in state-of-the-art technology for service expansion which is set to be complete at the end of 2025. There will also be a goal to create better connectivity from the 481 property to the urgent care facility. The project is expected to create 30 additional healthcare related jobs.
The project area is proposed to be zoned a medical campus district in the city’s rezone project. According to the proposal prepared by C&S, the purpose of a “medical campus district is to encourage development surrounding existing medical uses and additional complementary uses to create a walkable, vibrant area for those employed and living in close proximity. This is characterized by pedestrian linkages, landscaping, a variety of land uses, and outdoor spaces.”
Also included in the medical campus district is The Maples, the newly renovated assisted living facility located at the former Michaud Nursing home.
Barlow said Oswego Health has been working with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) on a traffic study to obtain access from its property to 481. The health system provided an overview at the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, May 13 at 7 pm. Site plans will be reviewed by the planning commission at a later date.
The DRI Advisory committee, comprised of local and regional stakeholders, was appointed by the Common Council. The Committee’s purpose is to keep the public updated and engaged with what is happening with the DRI, and help to gather information and advise the council on previously awarded DRI projects. For a complete list of DRI projects, visit https://fultonny.org/dri-initiative-page/.
In total, there were 16 projects awarded–a combination of municipal, non profit, and private projects with grants totalling $9.7 million. The city was initially awarded the DRI in 2019 for its vision and for project synergy but each project is contracted separately with New York State. The Fulton DRI Strategic Investment Plan can be found here: ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Fulton DRI_Strategic_Investment_Plan2021.pdf
With COVID, much of the DRI was on hold. Some projects have changed since the original award.
Those serve who on the DRI Advisory Committee are: Chair and resident Marie Mankiewicz, Vice Chair and resident Brittney Jerred, Secretary and resident Caroline Shue, Superintendent of Fulton City Schools Brian Pulvino, Fire and Police Commissioner and resident David Miner, 5th Ward Councilor and resident Audrey Avery, County Legislator and resident Frank Castiglia, resident John McGraw, 3rd Ward Councilor and resident Don Patrick, Code Enforcement Officer Malcom Wettering, resident and Fulton City School district representative Sean Broderick, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Oswego County Dave Turner, resident Cathy Trowbridge, Mayor Jim Rice, City Clerk Jodi Corsoniti, Director of Public works and resident C J Smith, Director of Parks and rec and resident Chris Waldron, resident David Phares, Fulton Savings Bank Vice President Tina Stephens and John Kenyon, a fourth ward resident.
To view past minute meetings, visit: https://fultonny.org/dri-advisory-committee/. To provide feedback to the committee, please send email to [email protected]. Questions, concerns and feedback will be provided to the committee for consideration or response. Members of the committee are encouraged to bring any public concerns to future meetings as well. The meetings are open to the public.
The next meetings will be Thursday, May 30 at 10 am at the municipal room at City Hall, 141 S. 1st St., Fulton, NY 13069.
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