Committee looking for projects for Downtown Revitalization Initiative

In August, the Village of Owego was selected by the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council to receive a $10 million award from New York State through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The DRI investment, according to those executing the grant, will allow Owego to develop a strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance its vision for downtown revitalization. 

On Wednesday, the appointed 15-member committee gathered in Owego to kick-off the process and to set an Open Call for potential DRI Projects. You can view Open Call correspondence and a submission checklist by clicking the following: 2018-10-12_OwegoDRI_OpenCall

Members of the committee include LeeAnn Tinney, Economic Development director and Mike Baratta, Village of Owego mayor as co-chairs; Marte Sauerbrey, chair of the Tioga County Legislature; Fran VanHousen, Village of Owego trustee; Bradley Crews, Historic Owego Marketplace president; Tom Marzo, Village of Owego resident; Ron Pasto, Village of Owego resident; Mary O’Brien, Tioga County Rural Ministry director and board member of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce; Jeff Winchell, Owego fire department and police department; Maureen Abbott, Tioga Opportunities and REAP; Corey Green, Owego Apalachin School superintendent; Nadine Bigsby, Owego Historic Preservation Committee; Christine DiStefano, Tioga Arts Council’s executive director; John Hitchings, owner of John’s Fine Foods; and Becca Maffei, director of Tioga County Tourism.

The two-hour meeting on Wednesday brought everyone together at the table to discuss the goals and strategy for the DRI, and to familiarize members with the process. 

Members from Manhattan-based BFJ Planning, consultants for the project, along with State representatives, were also at Wednesday’s meeting.

Two local “pop-up” events over the last month set out to gain input from area residents on how the funding might be used, and then the ideas were collected to offer a snapshot for committee members as to what types of things the community would like to see happen with the investment.

Some of those ideas included the river as a resource, walk-ability, and recreation for children, preserving buildings, building an art scene, a business incubator and building a community center, among others. One idea that came up often, was parking.

Wednesday’s meeting also offered rules of engagement for members, to include an ethics form to be reviewed by each member to ensure against the potential for any conflict of interest. Members that are closely connected to a project will not be able to promote it, both in the meetings and out in the community.

Now, and ready for the next step, Owego’s Local Planning Committee (LPC) has issued an Open Call for Potential DRI Projects to seek proposals for privately sponsored projects to be considered for DRI funding. It was additionally noted at the meeting that not all projects requested would be funded, and that those that are leveraged with public and private funds will be favored.

In a press release sent out after Wednesday’s meeting by Tioga County Economic Development on behalf of the DRI Committee, it stated that the purpose of the Open Call is to hear from members of the community who have potential transformative projects on private sites that provide economic and community benefits. 

“This process will enable the LPC to fully vet private projects that could transform the downtown in a uniform, open and transparent process,” it further stated in the release.

The release further explained that submissions should include capital and construction projects, business expansion or creation, and renovation of existing buildings on private sites. Submissions should demonstrate commitment of private funding sources and discuss the project’s transformative nature and potential community benefits. 

They noted that new ideas are encouraged, as well as established project concepts. 

All submissions should include as much information as possible on potential projects in order to demonstrate that the idea is feasible and will have a meaningful impact on downtown Owego. After submission, the Owego LPC and its consultant team, led by BFJ Planning, will work with project sponsors to gather additional information as needed.

All requirements for submissions can be found in the Open Call for Potential DRI projects. A PDF document can be downloaded online at www.villageofowego.com/downtown-revitalization-initiaive/.

Hard copies of the Open Call for Projects are also available at the Village office at 178 Main St. in Owego, and at the County’s Economic Development and Planning office at 56 Main St. in Owego.

Project submissions should be emailed to OwegoDRI3@gmail.com by Dec. 7, 2018. The consultant team will hold “office hours” to discuss questions about potential submissions on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Tioga County Office Building, 56 Main St., in the second floor conference room. In addition, questions on the Open Call can be sent via email by Nov. 16, 2018.

In the press release they noted that a Local Planning Committee of representatives would guide the approximately six-month DRI planning process from Village and county government, community organizations, local businesses, and local residents. 

Wednesday was the LPC’s first meeting, and they will continue to meet regularly until the plan is completed in March 2019. The meetings are working sessions for the LPC, but they are open to the public. 

LPC meetings are planned on the second Wednesdays of every month through March, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Owego Apalachin Central School in the LGI Room at 1 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego.

The DRI planning process incorporates public engagement to ensure that the strategic investment plan reflects the priorities of the Owego community. The first of three public engagement events is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Tioga Opportunities, located at 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego. A second public event will be held in December 2018 or January 2019, and a final public event will be held in February 2019.

Visit www.ny.gov/DRI for more information on opportunities for public input and the DRI planning process. Follow the Owego DRI on Twitter and Instagram @OwegoDRI and on Facebook @TeamTioga.