The city of Oswego’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is underway with construction beginning at the former Global Buffet location in the city’s downtown riverfront area.

The city of Oswego’s proposal for revitalization is part of an effort to build upon the city and continue its upward trend of expansion and positive growth through partnering with public and private investors with the hopes of enhancing future investment potential. 

Some of the projects outlined in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Proposal include the construction of a midtown mixed-use housing development that would include 24 rental apartments with added commercial and/or retail spaces, exterior renovation and further development of the Children’s Museum of Oswego and a housing development featuring townhouses at 77 W. First St.

City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced a $25,000 grant for “Southern Fare,” a new restaurant coming to downtown Oswego. Southern Fare is said to be a 60-seat bar and eatery. The Southern Fare project is included as part of the Oswego Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Local landlord and project developer Atom Avery and his team have already demolished the Global Buffet building and are breaking ground, looking to replace the old buffet with a five-story complex consisting of first-floor commercial space with residential housing located on the upper floors, including a potential rooftop bar and terrace. Southern Fare will be one of two businesses to occupy the provided commercial space, with plans to open its doors to the community in late 2019.

“It sounds amazing. I’ve never tried southern cuisine, but I would love to,” Oswego junior and off-campus resident Elizabeth Phan said.

Phan is excited to hear of plans to expand the local downtown cuisine scene, but expressed concerns over potential parking issues and traffic pattern changes. 

“But another thing I’m concerned about is, if [Southern Fare] will be located where the old Global Buffet building was, will people have a place to park if it’s packed inside?” Phan said. “Since they’re in construction, who knows how long it will take for the space to be finished. So, right now, it’s a maybe for me.”

Indyah Green, an Oswego State senior, said she would consider moving into the housing complex if there were residential units available for students. 

“I think it would be a great idea because I would be in the middle of everything, such as other bars and restaurants surrounding that area,” she said. “My only main concern is since [Oswego] is a college town and a populated area, the prices might be unaffordable for college students.”

Gregory Caster, also an Oswego State senior, lives in a three-person apartment off-campus in downtown Oswego. Caster interns for a local newspaper, works at a pharmacy and frequents many local businesses around the Bridge Street area. He said despite the various available housing complexes, he would like to see more student apartments and residential housing in the southwest corner of town. 

“Maybe in a single building or a designated area of just apartment units,” Caster said. “Not so many houses, really, but an area designed specifically for students.” 

Caster expressed concerns over the affordability of Southern Fare’s menu and the new housing units on West First Street. He said that he is not much of a fan of southern cuisine, but would be “willing to give [Southern Fare] a try.”

The downtown revitalization proposal focuses on expanding the city’s resources and opportunities available to the community while strengthening the local economy by building upon Oswego’s downtown urban foundations and areas of success. 

The project is a collaboration with the city, the Oswego State campus, Oswego county business partners, Pathfinder Bank, Oswego Port Authority, Oswego Health and many more. The Oswego Downtown Revitalization Initiative is an effort to attract more residential life to the downtown area while promoting local businesses, stimulating arts and culture, expanding diverse dining options and stoking a new level of  enthusiasm and confidence through added benefits.

Project developers have identified six key potential projects, located specifically in downtown Oswego, that appear suitable for new development. These potential projects include the potential construction of upscale housing rental units, a new 60-seat southern cuisine eatery, a five-story housing complex located in the old Global Buffet location on West First Street, mixed-use commercial developments, new commercial/retail space, health and human service organization expansion and increased youth educational and enrichment opportunities through the collaborative support of the Children’s Museum of Oswego. 

Another key aspect of Oswego’s DRI application focuses on a Route 104 revitalization project spearheaded by Bergmann Associates, which would work to beautify Route 104 running through downtown Oswego and create a safer and more accessible downtown. If awarded, grant funding could encourage new storefront exterior facelifts throughout downtown Oswego.  

Appointed by Mayor Barlow, The Downtown Revitalization Committee represents a diverse group of investors from the local community who all bring specialized talents and business expertise to the table. They are all hoping to capitalize on this opportunity to breathe new life into downtown Oswego. No specific dates of completion have been released to the public as of late.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed in his state budget a plan to allow $100 million in state grant money to be used for revitalizing downtown regions deemed appropriate for aid through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The grant states that money will be allocated across the state throughout 10 cities selected from winning application proposals.  The City of Oswego competed for the $10 million grant money allocation and was one of 10 cities, out of 122 applicants, that were awarded $10 million in the first round of the state’s Revitalization Initiative.

Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian