BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG. – The City of Ogdensburg kicked off its Downtown Revitalization Initiative process and is now seeking applications from entrepreneurs looking to invest in the city’s future.

The first meeting of the Ogdensburg Local Planning Committee, or LPC, was scheduled for July 29 at the Dobisky Center. 

The LPC will oversee the local planning process and help develop a Strategic Investment Plan for downtown Ogdensburg. 

The plan will identify priority projects and strategies for long-term revitalization before being submitted to New York state for consideration.

The committee includes local government officials, business owners, community leaders and representatives of local organizations.

Michael Tooley of the City of Ogdensburg and Anthony Adamczyk of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority are serving as co-chairs.

Other members are Misty Fishel of Ogdensburg Central School, JoAnne Gareau of Dean Marina and Excavating, Wendy Hamilton of the Strategic Planning Committee, William Hosmer of Hosmer's Marina, Barb O'Keefe of Fort de la Presentation, Laura Pearson of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Ian Sutherland of Eide Bailly, Dallas Sutton of NBT Bank and Larry Mitchell of Kiwanis.

The LPC is expected to meet six times during the DRI process. Each meeting will be open to the public, with information about meeting dates, locations and opportunities for public participation released in advance.

A separate public workshop was held  at the Dobisky Center. The open-house format allowed residents, business owners, property owners and other community members to offer ideas and ask questions about the downtown's future.

Public input will be used to help identify community priorities, evaluate potential projects and develop the Strategic Investment Plan.

Ogdensburg Economic Development Program Manager Katie Sovie will serve as the  city’s primary contact throughout the DRI process and will work with the consultant team, local planning committee and community stakeholders throughout the process.

She said potential projects could include creating housing, supporting businesses, revitalizing buildings, improving public spaces and enhancing the city’s waterfront.

The city is seeking input from residents, businesses, property owners and community partners as it develops a shared vision for downtown.

Businesses, property owners, developers, nonprofits and other organizations will be able to submit projects for consideration through Sept. 8 at noon.

Sovie said submitting a project does not guarantee funding, but it is the first step toward being considered for inclusion in the final strategic investment plan.

The city’s local planning committee will review the proposals and determine which projects best align with the community’s goals and the objectives of the DRI program.

She said the planning process will continue through the fall, with public outreach, project evaluations and additional community input before a final strategic investment plan is developed.

Sovie also encouraged council members to help promote the initiative and connect with residents, businesses and property owners who may have ideas for downtown improvements.

“The more voices we engage, the stronger our plan will be and the better positioned we’ll be to make the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.

Sovie was hired after former Economic Developer Tyler Park quietly resigned from the position earlier this year.

More information about the Ogdensburg DRI, including project updates and opportunities to participate, is available at OgdensburgDRI.com.

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