Owego’s DRI holds public workshop

Wednesday’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative’s second public workshop event allowed the public to share their ideas and mark up maps in order to add their vision for a new downtown Owego to the planning process. The event shed light on the improvements to come and the public’s attitude toward them. 

After a brief presentation, the packed room at Tioga Opportunities split into four groups to make suggestions on four main areas of Owego, the waterfront (Riverwalk and connections), downtown core (Lake Street), North Avenue (Art Park), and neighborhoods (Marvin Park). 

Led by a facilitator, visitors at each table grabbed markers, stickers, sticky notes, and included their suggestions and proposals. While these ideas are valued, the planners made clear that the ideas shared Wednesday are suggestions to consider for the projects. 

“Public participation – it’s the underpinning of the entire planning process,” Susan Favarte, BFJ Planning principal, said in her presentation. “It’s important to hear from you, the community, about what you would like to see, what your ideas are and help the team identify the priority projects.”  

Ideas for the waterfront renovations focused on a paddler’s ability to dock along the Riverwalk to spend time in the village before continuing their trip. Docking has proved to be a problem for years as community members pointed out the rapidly changing current strength and water level of the Susquehanna that runs through Owego.  

Other waterfront ideas discussed were landscaping options or improving the construction to make it more resilient against floods and silt buildup.  

In the downtown core, parking and traffic issues around Park, Court and Lake Street was a problem to community members. Ideas included possible one-way street reversals, or funneling people off the Court Street Bridge into the business heart of Owego to generate revenue downtown.

The North Avenue Art Park discussion table generated ideas for a broader impact of the park, to create more interests along North Avenue and to create movement into downtown Owego. Community members had interest in having structures that were duel-purpose, such as something beautiful looking, but also a structure for children to play on.

Safety was a large concern at Marvin Park to make people feel more comfortable along the trails, as well as having a band shell or performance stage to make more use of the park when large community events are not going on. 

All ideas discussed were written on maps of each specific area. The maps are posted in the County Office Building second floor, and community members are welcomed and encouraged to take another look at them and offer more suggestions while they are posted. 

Favate emphasized that the purpose of this public workshop was to make the planning process as transparent and open as possible, as well as gathering more face-to-face public opinion. 

“People who live here understand the history and background and are able to help,” Favate said.

To learn more about Owego’s DRI, visit www.villageofowego.com/downtown-revitalization-initiative-dri.