Winning Projects For Oswego’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative Announced

by Steve Yablonski | July 6, 2017 4:54 pm

OSWEGO, NY – As Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winning projects for Oswego’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, she paused and apologized for taking so long. But, “there’s a lot of progress going on here!” she quickly added.

State, local agencies will collaborate with Regional Economic Development Council to revitalize downtown, modernize infrastructure and boost the local economy.

Speaking at the Children’s Museum of Oswego today (July 6), Hochul officially proclaimed the winning projects selected for the Port City as part of the state’s $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

More than 120 communities around the state competed for one of the 10 $10 million prizes, Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow told the large crowd.

“I believe that we won the competition because we had a smart, innovated and practical plan,” he said. “We did our plan totally in-house. That’s a fact that I’m very proud of. When a community believes in itself and starts to invest, good things happen.”

The mayor also recognized Gov. Cuomo for all the support he has provided Oswego.

“This is an opportunity for the city of Oswego to really shine,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The DRI aims to transform local neighborhoods across the state into vibrant communities where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family, she explained.

Working together with state agencies and the Regional Economic Development Council, the city of Oswego built a strategic investment plan that identifies catalytic downtown projects consistent with the initiative’s goals.

“This funding is more than an investment in Oswego. It’s an investment in the future of the entire region,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a prepared statement. “These investments will help make this downtown an economic engine that will support local businesses, foster growth, and have ripple effects that will keep Central New York rising for decades to come.”

State Senator Patty Ritchie said, “The city of Oswego has tremendous potential for growth and through these projects, we will be able to create much-needed jobs, attract more people to our region and make it a better place to live, work and raise a family. I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of investing in our downtowns, and look forward to seeing how these projects boost the city of Oswego.”

“The projects that will move forward as part of Oswego’s DRI plan build on the city’s existing strengths like the Children’s Museum, Midtown Plaza, the historic Cahill Building and its wonderful waterfront to create new residential, retail and tourism opportunities,” said Hochul, chair of the statewide REDCs, during today’s announcement. “Downtowns are epicenters of economic activity that can drive development and growth across entire regions and Oswego is positioned to be that catalyst for the $500 million Central NY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative vision.”

She then proceeded to offer details of the endeavors to get under way in Oswego.

The 12 winning projects are:

• Complete Streets Streetscape Make-over on West Bridge Street: Transform an uninviting section of West Bridge Street at a critical downtown intersection into a pedestrian- and bike-friendly streetscape through Complete Streets streetscape features such as sidewalks that are ADA-compliant; crosswalks and sidewalk bump-outs; street striping; and green infrastructure. This project anchors and supports an important cluster of surrounding DRI projects, and provides a safe, attractive and appealing connection between upper downtown and the waterfront area. This project builds on two other investments from the Governor—a recent $500,000 grant from NYS DOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program to make sidewalks ADA-compliant along this corridor; and another previous DOT grant for complete streets improvements along another section of the Route 104 corridor.

• West First Street Multi-Building Redevelopment: Create a multi-building, mixed-use commercial and residential project to replace existing buildings and a vacant lot on West First Street. Up to 40 new housing units will be created downtown, which will generate more 24/7 downtown activity, improve visual aesthetics and support nearby businesses. A collaborative multi-owner partnership was created to develop these buildings as one unified project.

• Harbor View Square Mixed-Use Development: Transform an underutilized industrial brownfield site on the waterfront in downtown Oswego into a mixed-use residential and commercial development that will provide 75 units of new housing and 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail and commercial space along the West First Street corridor. The new development will provide much-needed housing options to the downtown and will activate the blocks between the heart of downtown and Lake Ontario, better connecting downtown to the lakefront a creating a more vibrant pedestrian environment.

• Transform the Aging Midtown Plaza: Create an attractive, mixed-use gateway development on the east side of the Oswego River with 45,000 square feet of commercial space and 95 housing units. The existing structures on the site, which have long been an eyesore for the downtown, will be demolished and a new attractive anchor development will take their place as an anchor and catalyst for additional investment and growth on the east side of the Oswego River.

• Restore the Historic Buckhout-Jones Building: Stabilize and restore the façade of the historic Buckhout-Jones building located in the center of downtown. The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, houses the Children’s Museum of Oswego and is a centerpiece in downtown Oswego. Renovations will improve the appearance of the building and ensure that it continues to exist intact into the future.

• Transform the Historic Cahill Building into Upscale Housing Along the River: Provide riverfront dining, build six housing units in a historic building and build six new townhomes on the same site to create additional housing choices. The Cahill building is the oldest commercial structure in Oswego, serving as a strong symbol of both the city’s past and its new future with the DRI funds. It was recently saved from the wrecking ball and stabilized by a local developer to make the project possible.

• Create a Pocket Park on Market Street: Create a pocket park on city property in a key central downtown location – adjacent to a cluster of DRI projects surrounding the site. Design a flexible, creative small public space for community gatherings and public events space, which will provide a much-needed connection between West First Street and Water Street.

• Create an Indoor Water Park as a New Downtown Destination: Construct the new indoor Lake Ontario Water Park to attract visitors and create a four-season family destination downtown, linked to an existing hotel and event/conference center near the waterfront. The facility will build on existing anchor developments and attractions in the downtown to strengthen the appeal as a family destination.

• Renovate the Children’s Museum of Oswego: Renovate space and install hands-on educational and cultural exhibits for the Children’s Museum of Oswego, located on the ground floor of the historic Buckhout-Jones Building. The museum upgrades will enhance the ability of this local attraction to bring visitors to downtown Oswego.

• Complete the Downtown West Gateway Project: Redevelop a single-story structure on the corner of West First Street and West Bridge Street into a two-story mixed use building that will activate this key intersection in the core of the downtown. The completely renovated building will provide high quality ground floor retail space and will include a vertical addition to add 12 upper story residential units and a roof-top deck with views of the Oswego River that will be used as outdoor restaurant dining. Parking will be provided for residents in the building’s basement.

• Support Local Business Growth, Building Renovation and Outdoor Programming: Establish a revolving loan for private improvements to commercial interiors; a combined grant/loan fund for façade improvements; matching grants for renovating upper floors for housing; and a matching grant program for outdoor programming in the downtown. This investment will encourage additional investment in existing downtown buildings and support active programming to attract more visitors.

• Improve the River Walk: Construct improvements to the riverfront trail network to provide better connections to the downtown and offer more user amenities. Upgrades will include new fencing, landscaping, lighting, seating, and signage as well as new access points and signage. These improvements will encourage greater use of the trail and increase its ability to attract and retain visitors to the downtown.

“These are smart decisions,” Hochul said of the projects. “We’ve suffered for a long time from bad decisions. Let’s bring back the original glory of our buildings here.”

“It’s hard to deny that there’s some great energy going on here,” Assemblyman Will Barclay said. “I have seen positive changes and energy take hold in Oswego thanks to the leadership of Mayor Billy Barlow and local community leaders. The anchor projects selected today will build on that positive momentum by providing investments in Oswego’s historic downtown and waterfront areas which will improve the local economy and the quality of life for residents. The Governor’s innovative Downtown Revitalization Initiative enabled the city to secure significant public funding to maximize private investment that will benefit generations to come.”

“It’s a great day for Oswego County and the city of Oswego,” Chair of the legislature Kevin Gardner added. The city and county have a good working relationship, he said.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to have all of you here today at the Children’s Museum,” Jill Shaver, executive director, said. “We are gratefully for all the support we’ve received. I am really excited to see where this investment is going to bring our city. I know that downtown revitalization efforts are contagious.”

The investment by Governor Cuomo and New York State will help leverage Oswego’s natural and existing assets while giving the city an opportunity to boost small business, foster pivotal development and beautify the community, Barlow said.

“This significant investment will begin a new chapter in our community and positions Oswego to better attract millennials and younger working class families to live here and patronize our downtown,” he added.

“Success breeds success. Hold on, this is going to be a great opportunity,” the Lieutenant Governor agreed. “This plan was conceived by people who love this community.”

When she talks about how communities around the state a rebuilding for the future, she said she uses Oswego as a model for other municipalities, she said.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/winning-projects-for-oswegos-downtown-revitalization-initiative-announced/

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