Daniel Montroy, left, and Sen. Patty Ritchie

OGDENSBURG -- State Senator Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, hosted an introductory meeting Monday between Ogdensburg city leaders and a Manhattan architect who she says "is offering his talents and skills to help his native city build a brighter future."

The meeting, held in Senator Ritchie’s state capital office, was a chance for city leaders to get to know Daniel Montroy, an Ogdensburg Free Academy graduate who moved to New York City to start a Madison Avenue architecture and design firm, Montroy Anderson DeMarco Group Inc. Also attending were Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy and City Planner Andrea Smith.

At the top of the agenda was a discussion of the “Point Airy Plan,” crafted by Senator Ritchie and city leaders, to transform underused land and buildings at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center to private use, returning land to the city tax rolls for the first time in more than 100 years, as well as other ideas for rebuilding and renewing the city’s waterfront, downtown and marina districts, Ritchie said

“When I first learned of Mr. Montroy’s interest in returning to his roots and helping his hometown build a better future, I called him right away and asked to sit down to discuss ideas that can help Ogdensburg and the North Country grow,” said Ritchie. “I met a man who is as excited about the possibilities for new growth and jobs at the Psych Center and other potential building sites as I am, with the talent and experience that can help move these plans and ideas forward.

“I’m grateful to Mr. Montroy for his continuing interest in his hometown and hope that his example can lead even more former North Country residents to come home, invest in our communities and help build our future.”

Montroy’s been involved in a number of high profile building projects in New York City, including designing the observation deck for the new Freedom Tower, on the site of the former World Trade Center. He’s also specialized in helping to market properties to developers, and said that he’s already heard from property owners in the Ogdensburg area who want to hear more about his ideas for development in the region, according to Ritchie.

Senator Ritchie said she plans to organize additional meetings with Montroy.