OSWEGO, NY – The Port City is getting some cosmetic work to repair its “broken teeth” along West Bridge Street.
At its meeting Monday night, the Common Council voted unanimously to approve a project that will fill a gap between two businesses on West Bridge Street, near West Second Street.
Last month, the Planning Board rendered a favorable advisory opinion to Brian Columbo’s plan for a new 40 foot by 75 foot two-story building with 2,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor and two large three-bedroom apartments on the second floor.
The new building will be located at 27 – 29 W. Bridge St.
It also complies with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
The building will be built with a façade that is similar to other downtown buildings. The site will include a back yard and patio area.
Parking for the tenants will be in city lots designated for downtown apartments.
The council also approved plans for the new Best Western Conference Center and parking area at 26 and 27 E. First St.
The Planning Board offered a favorable advisory opinion for this project and it too complies with the local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
The 33,818-square foot hotel expansion has an estimated $6 million price tag.
It would include a 450-seat conference facility, three smaller ‘breakout’ conference rooms, 18 luxury hotel suites, a 100-seat waterfront restaurant and expanded wellness spa.
There was some good news on the financial front.
The council authorized the mayor to sign Change Order No. 1 with KEK Excavators ($11,124.85) for the removal of the grit for the demolition of the Overflow Retention Facility.
This is actually a decrease in the agreement as the final contract price is $187,160.15, he pointed out.
The bid document included a pay item for grit removal with an estimated quantity of 440 tons. The final quantity removed was 237.73 tons.
The decrease is reflected in the change order.
Councilors also authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
The city would pay the chamber $23,500 for 2010.
In turn, the chamber would provide the annual Independence Day Parade, Veterans’ Stage concerts, Pumpkin Fest, Taste of Oswego, Project Bloom and the farmers’ market.
The council authorized the city clerk’s office to schedule, advertise and hold a public hearing for the addition of Section 280-72.2 (Wind Energy Producing Systems) to the city’s Zoning Ordinance.
It will take place in the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m. Nov. 23.
Joe Perry, fire chief, was authorized to purchase a Rice Hose Tester from Jerome Fire Equipment to replace an older model which is 15 years old and unable to be repaired.
The department needs to have its hoses tested each year.
“Just to have an outside contractor come I, just for one year, it would cost $1,600 or $1,700 for the testing,” he explained. “So, this machine would pay for itself almost within the first year.”
The council also approved the following budget transfers:
Amanda Fleming, animal control officer, requested to make a couple of budget transfers (totaling $2,070) in order to cover the cost of needed supplies and veterinary services.
Mike Coffey, superintendent of Wastewater Treatment, requested authorization to make two budget transfers (totaling $19,000) in order to cover the cost of needed chemicals.
Mike Smith, DPW commissioner, requested authorization to make three budget transfers (totaling $24,000) in order to purchase additional ice control sand and salt for the upcoming winter season.
The council revoked use of public space it had previously granted.
Aldermen voted unanimously Monday night to rescind a resolution adopted Nov. 13, 2006.
Tarakin LLC had sought council permission to use public space, fronting at 82 and 84 W. Second St.
They wanted to install eight parking spaces.
However, they haven’t done so, according to First Ward Councilor Connie Cosemento.
The council passed a resolution Monday night saying that the property owner has failed to pave said public space in a timely manner.
“Said area of public space continues to be unsightly and a hazard to the public,” the resolution continued.
The resolution revokes the use of public space (at 82 and 84 W. Second St.) for parking as of Jan. 1, 2010.
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