Mayor Barlow Appoints Downtown Revitalization Committee
Mayor Billy Barlow has announced the creation of the Downtown Revitalization Committee whose primary task will ensure the City of Oswego competes for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative program will invest $10million in ten communities throughout the State.
“The City of Oswego has an exciting amount of momentum working in its favor at the moment; not only in downtown, but throughout the entire community. The investment by Governor Cuomo and the State of New York will not only strengthen this momentum, but will allow us to fortify our focus on economic development for small businesses, job creation and retention, and emphasize all components regarding downtown livability. said Mayor Billy Barlow. “I have selected a diverse group of stakeholders from our community who all bring specialized expertise to the table so that the City of Oswego can deliver a multi-faceted, thorough, viable and realistic plan on how we can best capitalize on this extraordinary opportunity,” he continued.
The Downtown Revitalization Committee will be Co-Chaired by City Community Development Director Justin Rudgick and Planning and Zoning Director Amy Birdsall. Other members selected by Mayor Barlow include:
Kevin Caraccioli, City Attorney, City of Oswego
L. Michael Treadwell, Executive Director, Operation Oswego County, Inc.
Jane Amico, Vice President of Chamber Services, Centerstate CEO
Ben Walsh, Business Development Director, Mackenzie Hughes
Thomas Schneider, President & CEO, Pathfinder Bank
Zelko Kirincich, Executive Director & CEO, Port of Oswego Authority
Pamela Caraccioli, Deputy to the President, SUNY Oswego
Paul Stewart, Executive Director, Oswego Renaissance Association
Patrick Carroll, Business Manager, United Association of Plumbers & Steamfitters
Shane Broadwell, Majority Leader, Oswego County Legislature
Stephen Butler, Executive Director, CNY Arts
Hon. James Eby, Community member/resident
Justin Rudgick, Community Development Director, said "the focus of the DRI is “investing in Momentum, and over the past five years the City of Oswego has seen new private sector investments that total nearly $84 million providing approximately over 460 new jobs and has retained over 150 jobs. The DRI can provide a catalyst through strategic public and private partnerships to invest in our Downtown in a meaningful and substantial way. The preliminary list of identified key anchor projects that could be ready to get off the ground with successful DRI award total almost $45 million. It is estimated that approximately half of the DRI funding could be leveraged towards the anchor projects which would result in an 8:1 ratio on return of investment. Oswego is well-positioned to attract new residents and businesses through sustained investments in its downtown and enhancing the quality of life characteristics that entrepreneurs and skilled workers now demand."
Planning and Zoning Director Amy Birdsall, said, “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative provides an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on the City of Oswego’s recent renaissance and strategically invest in the heart of the city to deliver a vibrant core for living, working, and playing. As we work to increase walkability and livability downtown, I anticipate that our application will include proposals for enhancing facades, encouraging upper story residential development, improving streetscape aesthetics, and strengthening our arts and cultural amenities. This is a game changing opportunity for the City of Oswego, and I am excited to collaborate with our DRI committee towards submitting a winning proposal.”
The application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative by the City of Oswego is due on May 31, 2016.
