BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — After seven years of lead up, Potsdam is finally closing the books (at least officially) on its downtown streetscape project.

State, county and village officials, including New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, gathered on new sidewalks on Market Street today (Thursday, Oct. 15) for a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the village’s state-funded $5.31 million streetscape rehab and riverwalk projects.

The projects, which gave a facelift to Market Street, Raymond Street and parts of Maple Street, were funded through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

The village secured a $10 million DRI award in 2019 and the streetscape and riverwalk projects were the key public piece of the list of projects and initiatives paid for by the funding stream.

Residents, customers, business owners, and visitors to the Market Street corridor will now see fresh sidewalks, plantings, murals, lighting, signage and benches throughout the block, along with key branding elements and connected walking routes on Raymond. Village and state officials believe the facelift will create a more “cohesive downtown experience that strengthens and supports the local economy,” and celebrates community identity.

While village officials celebrated completion of work in the downtown corridor today, the village’s much awaited Skatepark project on Fall Island and a foot bridge connection over the Raquette River linking Fall Island to Garner Park are still under construction.

“It’s always exciting to see a community make such transformative progress in less than a year. Just this past spring, we were here in Potsdam with jackhammers and shovels breaking ground on these projects, and now we’re seeing them come to life,” said  Mosley, who was on hand for the ribbon cutting Thursday, Oct. 15.  

“Improvements to the streetscapes and riverwalk create more opportunities for people to enjoy the Village, while the new branding and marketing efforts help showcase what makes Potsdam unique. Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we’re helping communities build on their strengths by making investments that will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors now and for years to come,” Mosley said.

“Our Downtown Revitalization Projects represent our shared heritage and our bright future,” Mayor Alexandra Jacobs Wilke said at the ribbon cutting.

“The Village of Potsdam is proud to be a place where people ask questions, seek solutions and build something new—a place where history is all around us, yet never frozen in time. Our DRI projects are the result of countless hours of dreaming and collaboration, and they are already helping to inspire new energy and development downtown. We are grateful for New York State's investment in us, and excited for what comes next,” Wilke said.

Lawrence County Legislator Margaret Haggard, also on hand for the ceremony, praised the work.

“Potsdam is more beautiful and welcoming than ever, reflecting the hard work and thoughtful planning of everyone involved in our Downtown Revitalization Initiative. How fortunate we are to call this beautiful village home,” Haggard said.

While government officials lauded the village’s new overhaul and hope the injection of cash into rehabilitation of its downtown improves the economic health and vigor of the Market Street commercial district, various storefronts there continue to remain vacant. Potential business renters have anecdotally complained of high downtown rental costs, tight on-street customer parking availability, online shopping competition, and other challenges common to many downtown business districts in small towns across the state which shrink bottom lines and hike expenses. 

The state DRI program was established to combat that downtown atrophy. 

“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment,” the state said in a press release. “Led by the Department of State, with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative ‘plan-then-act’ strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation. Through nine rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $1 billion to 99 communities across every region of the State.”

Streetscape project at a glance

The village’s  $2.78 million Streetscape project  rebuilt downtown sidewalks, accessible crossings and installed curbing on Market, Maple and Raymond streets. New, decorative LED streetlights, benches, planters, trees and other landscaping improvements, along with upgrades for stormwater drainage were also part of the work.

Riverwalk details

The Raquette Riverwalk and Fall Island Art and Skatepark used $2.48 million in DRI funding to install a walking loop around the Village’s three downtown bridges. Access was improved at the village’s waterfront parks, river views and its recreational amenities. Once complete, the skatepark on Fall Island will feature 4,500 square feet of custom skateable concrete integrated with public art. A “Potsdam Gateway” was also installed in greenspace near Clarkson University.

Branding bucks

About $52,000 in DRI funding was used to improve the village’s overall look by creating a downtown brand, installing new “wayfinding” signs and banners.

Other village DRI-funded projects

DRI funding was also dedicated to several other projects and initiatives in the village, including:

• Expansion of the North Country Children's Museum (Completed): Business expansion of children's museum into second floor, including basement and first floor renovations to accommodate an elevator.
• Planned expansion of the Potsdam Food Co-op including renovation, equipment and marketing (not complete).
• Revitalization of the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center (completed) with new windows, floors, restrooms, walls, elevator and equipment.
• Rebuilding of the Downtown Potsdam Fund: Revolving grant and loan fund including rent assistance, main street renovation, a quick-start grant program, and COVID-19 related capital improvements.