Mayor Barlow announces winning projects for $545,000 Downtown Improvement Fund
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced today the winning projects selected for the City of Oswego Downtown Improvement Fund, part of Oswego’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant secured in 2016. The $545,000 Downtown Improvement Fund (DIF) project combines individual renovation projects carried out by existing, small business owners in downtown Oswego. There are three types of improvements: Exterior improvements to facades and business signage; interior improvements to ground floor retail and commercial spaces; and renovation of vacant upper floors into high-quality housing. The improvements will create a substantial impact in the downtown.
“The Downtown Improvement Fund was designed to give our existing small business owners an opportunity to apply for grant funding assistance to help with façade projects, building renovations, vacant space conversions or business expansion opportunities. The DRI mainly focused on large, multi-million-dollar economic development projects but we wanted to also make sure our small business owners had an opportunity to apply for funding as well,” said Mayor Barlow. “The projects receiving funding are well thought out, quality projects that support our small business owners and is consistent with our broader downtown revitalization plans. These projects will foster additional growth through our downtown and collectively will help push our downtown revitalization efforts forward,” Barlow said.
The $545,000 DIF was separated into three different project categories including building renovation and expansion projects, façade restoration projects and small sign and outdoor programming projects. The 20 awarded recipients include:
Building Restoration/Expansion/Conversion Projects
The Red Sun Roasting Company – 209 West 1st Street - $80,000
Adirondack Therapy – 198 West 1st Street - $80,000
Former 1850 House – 75-79 East Bridge Street - $60,000
Man in the Moon – 192 West 1st Street - $54,102
The Sting – 49-63 West Bridge Street - $50,000
The Brown-Davis Building – 215-217 West 1st Street - $50,000
Storefront Façade Restoration Projects
Cindy’s Wagging Tails – 114-116 West 1st Street - $27,000
The Lighthouse Tavern – 77 East 2nd Street - $25,000
The Oswego Bagelry – 205 West 1st Street - $20,700
Wayne’s Drug Store – 196 West 1st Street - $20,000
Wonzone Calzone – 118 West 2nd Street - $19,800
Bistro197 – 197 West 1st Street - $11,750
Signage and Outdoor Programming Projects
Heagerty’s Hot Spot – 200-202 West First Street - $9,400
The Office Tavern – 11 West Seneca Street - $8,376
Maria’s Family Restaurant – 111 West 2nd Street - $8,150
Canal Commons – 191-201 West 1st Street - $7,000
Riverside Artisans – 191 West 1st Street - $6,653
Southern Fare – 68 West 1st Street - $3,500
Maida’s Floral Shop – 215 West 1st Street - $3,500
Port City Copy Center – 37 East First Street - $1,145
The winning projects were selected by the DIF Scoring Committee consisting of Director of Economic Development Justin Rudgick, Deputy Director Tim Stahl, 3rd Ward Councilor Kevin Hill, Director of the Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Katie Toomey, and owner of the River’s End Bookstore Bill Reilly. The Downtown Improvement Fund Committee received 41 applications for funding consideration with a grant request totaling $1.658 million. The 20 winning projects selected to receive allocations are expected to leverage an additional $1.2 million in private investment and are consistent with the comprehensive downtown revitalization initiative outlined in the original City of Oswego Downtown Revitalization Initiative application.
