A woman walks her dog in the receding flood waters at the marina parking look below Breitbeck Park in June.
OSWEGO – At Monday’s Administrative Services Committee meeting, Justin Rudgick, Community Development Director, requested a public hearing regarding the NYS Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program.
New York State, through Gov. Andrew Cuomo, created the Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program to be administered by the NYS Office of Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Program. Up to $10 million is available in funding to assist local municipalities impacted by the recent flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
The purpose of the funding, Rudgick explained, is to assist local governments to make essential repairs to public infrastructure that has been impacted by the flooding.
In Oswego, the areas would include around Wright’s Landing, the marina and around Breitbeck Park.
Oswego is eligible to apply for up to $1 million. The application is due by December 29.
A public hearing is required first.
The Port City received a final flood damage assessment report, prepared by Delta Engineers, which identified five areas of significant flood damage
The preliminary total cost estimate for restoration of the areas is about $13.5 million, according to Rudgick. The estimated total cost for restoration and mitigation improvements in the five areas is about $21.5 million, he added.
The Community Development Office is working in collaboration with Fire Chief Randy Griffin, DPW Commissioner Tom Kells and Mayor Billy Barlow to complete the application.
Rudgick also requested a public hearing regarding Preserving Landmarks of Oswego West (Round 5 Restore NY Communities Initiative).
The Community Development Office, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, recently submitted a letter of intent to apply for funding through the Empire State Development’s Round 5 Restore NY Communities Initiative Municipal Grant Program for “preserving landmarks in Oswego West.”
The proposed project includes two properties in the Fifth Ward, the mayor said – the Railroad Freight House at 20-24 W. Utica St., and 1830 Bridie Square (Bridie Manor).
The total estimated cost of the project is about $1.46 million.
The requested funding through Restore NY is $610,000. The application is due by December 15.
Mayor Barlow said they applied for $360,000 for funding for Bridie Manor; it will help with some of the structural repairs and the fountain that is just outside of Bridie Manor.
For the freight house, “We’re applying for $250,000 for rehabilitation of that property.”
One of the requirements is a public hearing must be held to discuss the Restore NY application and the property assessment list.
One or the other project, or both projects could be awarded funding, the mayor pointed out.
The Community Development Office is working with the Mayor’s Office to complete the application.
The requests were forwarded to the full council for consideration next week.
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It’s seems that a lot of money is being thrown around due to the “flooding.” Theses particular areas are in the same condition they were before the low rise in water levels. Get ready Oswego tax payers! The grant for Oswego could be up to one million dollars, yet the cost for restoration is 13.5 million? Bullcrap! BUT, total overall cost (because, this money will fund private business owners…Broadwell, Pauline, and kickbacks) is 21.5 million. Get ready for higher taxes Oswego.