The city of Oswego was awarded $225,000 as a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities Program to develop a Complete Streets Plan and revitalize state Route 104, which runs through the middle of downtown Oswego.
This grant was originally applied for during the past administration of Oswego Mayor Thomas Gillen in 2014 and was awarded later that year.
“The overall goal is to make [Route] 104 ascetically pleasing and give both motorists and residents a good impression of the city as they travel route 104 which is arguably the most traveled and visible street in the city,” current Oswego City mayor Billy Barlow said.
The Complete Streets Plan will include the redesign of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, light posts, materials, trees, landscaping, and benches along the entire 3.5-mile stretch through the city.
Reducing storm water run-off and creating an attractive front door for residents, tourists and businesses are the intended benefits to the grant. Improvement of the local establishment Wayne Drugs in downtown Oswego shows how the city helped foster progress through separate grants. Ultimately, inspiring other businesses to do the same. The plan is also going to focus on making streets more modern and friendly and to improve the visual image of the city.
Oswego City Planning and Zoning Director Amy Birdsall said the plan to revitalize Route 104 was inspired by a similar project that was completed in Hamburg, New York several years ago. The project led to private investments of $7 million since the completion of the project. The Hamburg improvement was featured in the New York Times in August 2013.
“We all recognize here in city hall that there is a significant amount of investment that needs to happen here in the city of Oswego,” Birdsall said.
Barlow said this project can help make Oswego more vibrant and attractive.
“A project of this scope, if successful, has the ability to complete transform a community and give us an opportunity to re-identify who we are as a community,” Barlow said.
Barlow said in central New York in March, potholes do exist.
“As soon as blacktop becomes available in the spring we will begin to fix [Route] 104 and fill the potholes,” Barlow said. “We will certainly work to address the road conditions of 104 as quickly as we can.”
Bergmann Associates of Rochester, New York was awarded the consulting contract for the Complete Streets Plan and are going to include public engagement as part of it. A kick-off presentation is scheduled for March 21 in the City Council chamber.
“The kick off presentation is important, but ultimately we desire public input through the whole planning and implementation process and I encourage all residents to reach out to their respective City Councilors to voice concerns or give suggestions and ideas,” Barlow said.
There will be a website dedicated to the project, which is set to launch in April.
City hall will continue to update the local press and have them spread the word. Barlow is going to start a mayor’s blog and hopes to start a mayor’s message in the local newspaper for residents to read. Birdsall said the planning phase will take about a year to complete.
