The Port of Oswego Authority (POA) has applied for funding to replace its existing 40,000 sq. ft. timber-framed warehouse with a 28,900 sq. ft. modern, Net-Zero energy and carbon emissions climate-controlled warehouse, it was announced by William Scriber, POA CEO and executive director. Total cost for the project would be $23,499,092.
“This modern warehouse will be smaller, not as high as the current structure, energy efficient and would be filled immediately with business from customers who have contacted us seeking climate-controlled storage,” Scriber said. “This warehouse is not intended for refrigerated product/freight storage, but for products and freight sensitive to humidity and temperature. Building temperatures would range from a few degrees above freezing to about 70 degrees. It’s part of the Port’s vision to maximize productivity within our footprint and essential to sustain our future growth, improve operational efficiencies of freight handling, and meet customer demands. “
Following consultation with the Port’s engineer, it was determined to be more cost effective to demolish the existing structure and construct a modern warehouse as opposed to renovating the existing building for climate-controlled storage, Scriber said.
“The existing structure, previously used for grain storage, has been in continuous use since the 1980s with no major upgrades,” Scriber said. “In 2013 the south end collapsed from snow and wind damage and was repaired. The roof shingles were replaced in 2008 and they need replacing again because many shingles are in poor condition. The building is at the end of its useful life and has little resilience to even moderate weather events.”
Scriber stressed that this development is tied to his efforts this past March in meetings in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and co-chairs of the House Great Lakes Task Force to seek a more equitable distribution of funds from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). These grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the majority have historically gone to East Coast and West Coast ports, which have historically received three times as much as Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Inland River Ports. “The Port of Oswego—NY State’s only port on Lake Ontario—is requesting $11,250,000 (48%) in PIDP grant funding, and the Port would match that with $12,249,092 of local funding.
A U.S./Canadian research study shows that, over the past five years, The Port of Oswego Authority made a $513 million impact on the local and regional economy and supported 2,229 jobs by its maritime activity. The Port of Oswego generated $201.2 million in wages, salaries, and local consumption expenditures for the regional economy.
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