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Council Expedites Support for Ross Park Interpretive Center Grant Application
Summary
City council voted to expedite a resolution allowing the city to apply for New York state grant funding to stabilize and restore structures at Ross Park; presenters said the request seeks state funds and local fundraising and would not use city operating dollars.
City Council on Monday moved to expedite a resolution permitting the city to apply for Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and Susquehanna Heritage Area grant funding for the Ross Park interpretive center complex.
The measure, presented by Phil Ginter, executive director of Ross Park, authorizes the city to act as applicant for the state consolidated funding application. “We submitted the application last year. We were 1 point shy of being funded,” Ginter said, adding that state parks staff encouraged the city to reapply under multiple funding streams to improve chances of success.
The grant proposal would direct “over half the funds” toward shoring up an old stone building at the park, Ginter told council, including stabilizing a collapsed roof deck that recent weather has begun to bring down. He said the application also covers restoration work on the historic lion’s cage and a bandstand that would sit near a proposed relocated carousel.
Why it matters: presenters said the work would preserve at-risk park structures and create space for small events. Ginter said the city is not being asked to contribute operating dollars for the project: “We’re not looking at asking for any money from the city to do this project. So it will be completely funded with state funds and local funds that we raise for the project.”
Council members asked about timing and risk. Ginter said state award decisions are typically announced in late fall, with a target of a state contract in early 2026 and construction completion the following spring if funding is secured. He said the project team is pursuing a short-term bridge loan so work could begin as soon as a contract is in hand.
Council voted 6–0 on a motion to expedite consideration of the resolution so the city could proceed with the application process.
Officials and next steps: Ginter said the Susquehanna Heritage Area Commission has been asked to endorse the application and that, as of the meeting, the Broome County heritage-area application from the city was the only submission under review. Staff said they are working with a contractor to temporarily remove the remaining wooden decking and install a temporary roof before permanent work can proceed if the grant is awarded.
The expedited resolution authorizes the city to submit the consolidated funding application and does not by itself appropriate funds or approve construction contracts.
