15-04-2025
Potsdam about to begin construction on DRI streetscape project
Apr. 15—POTSDAM — The village is moving closer to beginning construction on its streetscape renovation and riverwalk trail initiatives, following approval of a $4.68 million bond to finance the initial costs of the work.
During its April 7 meeting, the village board of trustees also accepted a contractor's bid for the construction of a new Brooks Street, which will connect Depot and Raymond streets, and hired a marketing firm to assist with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
The meeting included the passage of a resolution by the trustees and mayor that set the maximum total cost for the Downtown Streetscape and Riverwalk Trail improvements at $4,680,415.
The resolution additionally authorizes the village to secure a 10-year bond in that amount from a bank to cover upfront expenses. These improvements will include street, sidewalk, and curb reconstruction, upgraded street lighting, stormwater infrastructure, various furnishings, landscaping, and other related work. While the bond will initially cover costs, reimbursement is expected through various state agencies and grant funding associated with the village's 2018 New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Per the bond resolution, the village will budget an annual appropriation to cover principal and interest payments on the bond.
"This is going to provide the bonds that we need to get our DRI projects off the ground," said Mayor Alexandra Jacobs Wilke. "As you know, we're only compensated on a quarterly basis and there could be a lag. So this provides us the funding to get those paid."
The new Brooks Street will include sidewalks, LED streetlights, and street trees, creating a more walkable, inviting, and connected area for residents, visitors, and local businesses.
The new road is expected to support several current and future projects in the Raymond — Depot Street district, such as the expansion of the North Country Children's Museum, the St. Lawrence County Arts Council's enhancement of the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center, the redevelopment of the Market Square Mall, and the Six Depot Street Redevelopment Project.
Officials anticipate that construction will begin immediately and be completed sometime this summer.
The board also voted to authorize Jacobs Wilke to enter into an agreement with Destination by Design Planning LLC, a North Carolina-based firm, for branding and marketing services related to the Riverwalk Trail and Streetscape Enhancement projects.
The marketing contract will be funded by a state Department of State grant.
"We're about to appoint a firm award, a contract for a branding. Our marketing and branding, which is through our Downtown Revitalization initiative money," the mayor said. "We hope that process will build off the work that we did in that Visioning Workshop earlier this past year, led by David Thurlow, our economic developer. And so we're really excited to keep things moving in the village of Potsdam."
During the same meeting, the board approved a bid from T.J. Fiacco Construction LLC for the Brooks Street Construction Project, based on a recommendation from the project's landscape architect.
"Fiacco's base bid with contingency and alternates 1 and 2 total $272,400 and is within the Village of Potsdam's project budget," according to the resolution accepting the bid.
The Northern Border Regional Commission will provide a grant of up to $279,968 to help fund the project, according to the resolution, which noted that the total development and construction costs are projected to be $377,050.
