Plattsburgh council approves downtown technical-assistance contract, loan-administration agreement and multiple grant applications

At a City of Plattsburgh Common Council meeting, members voted to award a New York Main Street technical-assistance contract, authorize an agreement to have a third party administer the city’s revolving loan fund, approve a feasibility-study award and design/oversight contracts for Safe Routes to School, and authorize grant applications to regional programs.

Councilors said the New York Main Street technical-assistance award will fund feasibility studies for downtown buildings to identify potential façade and interior rehabilitation, space re-use and budget estimates. Staff said building owners will not pay for the feasibility studies; the consultant’s reports will include scopes, floor plans and cost estimates that owners can use to apply for downtown grant funds.

Council discussion also covered a proposed agreement for outside loan administration to speed processing of the city’s revolving loan fund. Staff said the city’s department has limited capacity to intake, underwrite and process loans and expects the partner’s loan-review committee to make recommendations that the council will review before final approval.

Members approved a professional-design and construction-oversight contract for the Oak Street Safe Routes to School corridor; staff said the design contract will document existing conditions, collect traffic and pedestrian counts and produce construction estimates the council can review before final design. Councilors asked about…