BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- With the city poised to review proposals for 17 Main Street, At The Docks has announced that a franchise agreement has been secured with Wyndham Hotels.

"We have also been developing plans to address the state of the dilapidated hotel. We all know Ogdensburg could use lodging inside the city and along the St. Lawrence River is an excellent location for this. The benefits of this project include job creation (full time, and year-round positions), increased tax revenue for the city, community revitalization, improving blighted and underutilized areas and increased neighboring property values. We’ve secured a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels. Construction planning holdbacks have been with environmental concerns, addressing whether we build new or use some of the existing structure, and the usual concerns when developing a property," a post on www.atthedocks.com says.

At the Docks is owned by Chris Frary and the company is currently working with the city to finalize a two-year old deal to purchase parcel B of 17 Main Street, which the company says is vital to the development of the hotel and waterfront area. The parcel would be used for dock storage.

“It is our hope the City will maintain their legal commitment by continuing to honor the agreement already in place for the sale of 17 Main Street, Parcel B, to help make our vision a reality. Our commitment to the city is to construct the facility within an 18 month timeframe from the date of acquisition,” the update says.

Meanwhile developer Nick Wright has made a purchase offer for parcel B and is working to purchase parcel A for the development of Mystic Springs, a world class miniature golf course.

The city has been attempting to thread the needle in a way that will allow both developers to move forward with their respective projects, but Wright has told the city he would need both parcels or a plan approved by the city to deal with parking which would be a major issue for his project without parcel B.

Additionally, the city put out a request for proposals for parcel A and received two responses. One is from Wright, and the other is believed to be from At the Docks, although the city has not yet confirmed that information.

Wright has been clear that he believes the city should accept new proposals for both parcels, but Mayor Michael Tooley says the city intends to maintain the two-year old agreement with the Frary's which has yet to be acted on.

He said the city failed to reach out to move the sale forward and believes the city has an obligation to do so. Tooley said At the Docks will be required to submit plans and finalize the sale by the end of May.

Wright says that for his project to move forward he will need parcel B, or to get a plan and agreement from the city that would provide adequate parking.

A petition of support for Wright’s project, created by Laura Ashley, has been circulating online and has gathered more than 700 signatures.

“We the undersigned offer our unwavering support for Mystic Springs, a family entertainment center, to occupy vacant land in the Marina District in the City of Ogdensburg.

If this development does not proceed, the City will lose out on much needed sales tax revenue, property tax revenue, tourism, exposure for future growth, and most importantly a unique opportunity for a regional family destination.

We have a serious developer, that is a native of the City, is fully financed, shovel ready and intending to use local contractors to help build Mystic Springs.

We encourage the City to welcome this investment and regional family attraction for a better Ogdensburg,” the petition reads.

Last week Interim City Manager Andrea Smith said the proposals would be discussed at the Feb. 26 city council meeting, but there is no such language on the agenda.

It's possible the city intends to discuss the matter in executive session as there is a planned private meeting.

"To discuss the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such a public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof," the agenda says.

The city has not yet publicly shared the responses to the RFP.