OSWEGO – Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow took a moment during last night’s Common Council Meeting, Dec. 14, to thank Council members and all the Oswego City Departments for their hard work and dedication throughout the past year.
Barlow also reminded members of the achievements they and the community accomplished despite the pandemic, and all the hurdles that went along with it.
The mayor took a few minutes to read a recap of all the successes officials and residents pushed through to make the year possible. What is read is as follows:
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Year in Review 2020
Responding to the Pandemic – Protecting our Citizens:
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten our community on many levels. First, once the COVID-19 virus arrived in New York State, my primary obligation as Mayor was to do all I could to protect the general health and wellness of Oswego residents, while disseminating factual information for residents to consider in an effort to protect themselves and their family. I found it critically important to have local government ready to step up and respond to the negative impact the virus would have to the daily life of our citizens.
When the virus finally arrived in Central New York, shutting down schools and closing the economy, we did our part to control the virus locally. Oswego was one of the first municipalities in CNY to implement a “Stop the Spread” essential-travel-only policy, ban mass gatherings via executive order, conduct information and education campaigns at local retail stores, hold mask distribution events, and to implement social distancing enforcement details through the Oswego Police Department, all in an effort to protect our community from the invasion of COVID-19.
As a result of these quick and dramatic actions, we fended off the first wave of the virus, and had a low caseload through spring and summer. In addition, we promptly partnered with Little Lukes and the Oswego YMCA to offer free childcare to Oswego families, with priority given to First Responders and those working in the health care field.
We deferred bill payments for thirty days, built an emergency COVID-19 resource website, transitioned all city offices to work remotely, implemented COVID-19 virus detection into our city wastewater system, and partnered with SUNY Oswego to test all essential city employees bi-weekly, to protect our workforce and maintain adequate staffing levels to deliver the services our residents expect.
Lastly, I did my best to hold press conferences, live stream announcements, [conduct] virtual Q&A Town Halls, and establish a COVID-19 hotline and email to create a forum for people to ask COVID related questions of any kind, and get a response within 24 hours.
Responding to the Pandemic – Supporting our Local Businesses
On March 20, 2020, New York State ordered all non-essential businesses to close. That same day, we made $275,000 in no-interest, commercial loan funding available to businesses, and worked swiftly to distribute funds within 10 days. Simultaneously, we developed a restaurant business guide informing the public of restaurants still open for to-go and delivery options, along with hours of operation and links to information as a method to inform the public and encourage residents to support local businesses through the shutdown.
This flyer was mailed to every household in the city. Similarly, we promoted a #TakeoutTuesday campaign on social media platforms. We assisted many businesses with the essential waiver form where appropriate; allowing them to be deemed essential in the eye of NYS and, as a result, stay open though the shutdown. We also aided many businesses with their Federal Payroll Protection Program applications.
Finally, we made available a streamlined, expedited process allowing businesses to utilize public space for expanded outdoor seating areas throughout the summer to, legally and safely, expand dining capacity.
Responding to the Pandemic – Engaging our Youth:
While the health risk of COVID-19 may not be as serious to our youth as others, the side effects of COVID-19 can have a devastating emotional, mental and behavioral consequence for young children. From having to learn remotely, to limited extra-curricular activities, COVID-19 has created a significant void in the lives of young people. City government immediately recognized this and acted to fill the gap using creative socially distance activities and programs.
First, the City of Oswego Chalk Walk was created to generate a community-wide, fun activity as summer began. The Youth Bureau launched a “Young Adventurers” program to get children outdoors, taking up new interests, and learning about our community. The Office of Economic Development launched a literacy initiative called “Read It!” – rewarding children who read every day for thirty days. We developed a creative way to honor the Class of 2020 by lining State Route 104 with banners listing the names of 2020 Oswego High School graduates.
Separate from the pandemic, city government partnered with the Oswego YMCA to open the new Oswego Youth Center and Skate Park at 201 E. Sixth Street, creating a safe, secure and supervised location for youth to go to learn, socialize and relax after hours.
Economic Development and Downtown Revitalization Update:
It is with great pride that I report all 12 of 12 projects from our 2016 $10 million dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) are either finished or under construction. The $22 million dollar re-development of the Mid-Town Plaza site was the final project to break ground earlier this year.
Other projects completed, or near completion include the LITATRO project (former Global Buffet), Riverwalk project, (former Harbor Optical site), Harborview Square (former Flexowire site), the Cahill Building, Lake Ontario Waterpark, Children’s Museum of Oswego, creation of Water Street Square, and our State Route 104 improvements.
We’ve started to release our $525,000 Downtown Improvement Program funding, resulting in facade and storefront improvements throughout downtown like Man in the Moon Candies, Maida’s Floral Shop and the Browne Davis Building. To supplement our DRI projects, we partnered with the owners of the movie theater to revive the marquee sign, implemented more green space throughout downtown, and work continues on the interactive mural on the Schilling Building next to Water Street Square. Beyond that, we welcomed several new businesses including Zamp’s apparel, Southern Fare and the state-of-the-art Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique.
Capitalizing our Waterfront:
Despite many complications caused by the COVID crisis, we pushed forward on our waterfront projects. Our waterfront projects are all designed with two goals. First, re-build and protect our waterfront from the high lake levels and associated flooding caused by Plan2014, (a new water management plan for the Great Lakes implemented in 2017).
Second, our projects are designed to finally take advantage of our world class waterfront and utilize our waterfront property as an economic tool and prime attraction. To do this, in 2019, we worked to secure $12.6 million in funding from the New York State Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) and $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With no time to waste in 2020, construction immediately commenced. Our $1.7 million re-build and upgrade to Harbor Trail around Breitbeck Park is complete, complementing our improvements to the park and the work we first did to Harbor Trail back in 2018.
Construction continues at Wright’s Landing Marina as the Department of Public Works leads our $3 million transformation of Wrights Landing Marina. Our work at the marina raises the marina two feet in elevation to prevent flooding, renovates the restroom facilities, installs a new pavilion, a new welcome center, new fuel tanks, another fire pit seating area and resurfaces all dock slips. I’m also proud to make the entire marina, along with the connection to Breitbeck Park, accessible to those with physical limitations. Wrights Landing Marina will be completed and reopened in June 2021.
Code Enforcement Summery: 1,980 code complaints, 3,060 code violations, 559 building permits issued
2020 –A Year of Accomplishments:
-Passed 2021 City Operating Budget with NO TAX INCREASE for third consecutive year.
-$1.765 million in paving of city streets completed (4.867 million total since 1/1/2016).
-Finished sewer separation project ahead of schedule, under budget.
-Passed Nuisance Abatement Law to help address disruptive and blighted rental property.
-Conducted 2nd round of “Zombie Home” rehab program, repairing dilapidated homes.
-Built a 9-11 Memorial at the Oswego Fire Department.
-Negotiated a $375,000/10-year Service Agreement with Oswego Health.
-Partnered with Oswego County Federal Credit Union on Veterans Banner Program.
-Created the Neighborhood Engagement Team in Oswego Police Department.
-Secured a $176,000 grant for the Oswego Fire Department to aid COVID-19 response.
-Secured a $124,611 grant towards a new Oswego Bookmobile Bus.
-Installed two “Safe Internet Purchase Exchange” locations at OPD & OFD.
-Collaborated with Victory Transformation to offer a warming shelter for the homeless.
-Launched Neighborhood Cleanup program to simplify and expedite brush pick-up
-Conducted a “Pedestrians First” Initiative to protect pedestrians.
-Developed the “Home for the Holidays” small business weekend along with the “Buy One, Get One” shop local program.
-Appointed Phil Cady Chief of Police.
Improving our Community:
We continue to make Oswego a more attractive place to live, work and raise a family. We’re adding public amenities, bringing value to our community, improving our parks, reviving neighborhoods, emphasizing community live-ability and people.
We renovated the street hockey rink, now the Jack R. Bobbett Memorial Rink at Shapiro Park, preserved Oswego City Hall through a $2.6 million Restoration Project, built environmentally friendly bio-swales through our Green Gateway project along State Route 48, and created the new Lakeside Park at the end of 10 ½ Street, formally an empty gravel pit, fully funded by a $100,000 grant from State Senator Patty Richie. The new park allows for Eastside waterfront access, use of a pavilion, volleyball court and kayak launch, novelty chair and has proven to be an ideal location to watch the sunset and view the Oswego Lighthouse.
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