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Mayor outlines infrastructure, development and public safety investments in State of the City address
Summary
In the State of the City address the mayor summarized multi‑million dollar infrastructure projects, economic development wins and public safety investments, and highlighted grant awards and planned capital work across Oswego.
Mayor (name not specified) delivered the State of the City, highlighting infrastructure repairs, economic development, public safety investments and tourism initiatives as the administration’s four cornerstones.
The mayor listed a series of capital projects and grant-awarded work: a $1,100,000 renovation of the Customs House Building, a $10,600,000 upgrade to the West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant with about $8,000,000 in grant funding, a $5,400,000 upgrade to the East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant with a $1,000,000 grant, a $6,800,000 improvement to the McCaffrey water treatment facility supported by about $3,000,000 in grant support, and a $9,700,000 upgrade to the high dam with roughly $1,300,000 in grants to date.
The mayor described a $7,000,000 West First Street reconstruction project with approximately $3,800,000 in New York State funding and municipal bonding to cover the remainder. He also said the city purchased about 3,000 street lights to convert to LED, replaced the lacrosse box at Fort Ontario, and received a $1,000,000 grant to restore the Ponzi Building. A $179,000 grant was cited for four new pickleball courts at Fort Ontario in 2025.
On drinking-water infrastructure, the mayor said the city was awarded approximately $5,500,000 in financing and grant support to replace lead service lines, estimating replacement of about 350 to 500 lead service lines. He described planned continued grant-seeking in 2025 to support additional infrastructure work.
On economic development, the mayor named recent private and public investments: new businesses including national and regional brands, the opening of a cannabis retailer on George Street, a $2,100,000 marina project by the Port Authority, and a revolving loan program administered by the Office of Economic Development. The mayor said sales tax revenue, the city's primary income source, has increased each of the last five years.
Public safety investments noted included hiring to replace retirees, new equipment and training, two new fire engines expected later in the year, and planning for a combined police and community center on West First Street with $1,000,000 in grant support to date. The mayor also referenced grant funding of about $68,000 for the fire department in 2024 and $800,000 in grants for new police equipment.
The mayor emphasized transparency and communication initiatives, including a relaunch of the City of Oswego Facebook page and a city text-notification service (Text My Gov) to distribute information about road closures and water-main breaks.
The address provided an overview of ongoing projects and funding; the mayor did not present ordinances or require immediate council votes beyond items on the published agenda.
