The City of Ogdensburg

The City of Ogdensburg has been awarded funds through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to fund catalytic projects in the DRI boundary to spur revitalization. The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is seeking project proposals from the public for potential projects to be included in Ogdensburg's Strategic Investment Plan. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan will be reviewed by New York State and may receive funding from a total allocation of $9.7 million. Project proposals must be received by:

September 8, 2026 at 12:00pm

An informational meeting to learn more about the Open Call for Projects and eligibility requirements will be held virtually on:

August 6, 2026 at 12:00pm

Registration Link:

https://form.jotform.com/261974811114052

 

Visit www.OgdensburgDRI.com to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Consultant and State team.

The following describes the deadlines and process for submitting and developing a project for DRI / NY Forward. The dates are subject to change, so check the website for the most up-to-date information.

July 29, 2026 | Local Planning Committee Meeting (LPC) #1. The DRI/planning process, including the Open Call for Projects is introduced to the LPC.

July 29, 2026 | Public Workshop. The DRI planning process, including the Open Call for Projects is introduced to the public.

July 30, 2026 | Open Call for Projects Begins.

July - August, 2026 | Open Call Information Session(s), Office Hours, and Other Opportunities to Meet with the Consultant Team. Check out the website www.OgdensburgDRI.com for information on how to attend.

August 19, 2026 | Local Planning Committee Meeting #2. The LPC will discuss the downtown assessment, vision and goals for downtown, and other project-related requirements. Check out the website for the updated vision and goals!

August 11, & September 10 2026 | Decarbonization 101 Webinar. If you want to learn more about how to make your building more efficient, this webinar will provide strategies for decarbonizing your building. Please note that some building projects will be required to incorporate decarbonization.

August 20, 2026 | Historic Preservation Webinar. All projects receiving State funding will be required to consult with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Attend this webinar to learn about how SHPO review may affect your project.

September 8, 2026 | Open Call for Projects Closes. Completed project forms must be submitted by 12pm. See page 2 for information on how to submit.

September - November, 2026 | Local Planning Committee Meetings #3-6. The LPC will discuss and evaluate project submissions and may remove projects from further consideration. The LPC will recommend final slate of projects to the State for funding consideration at the last LPC meeting.

Project Development. The consultant team will work with project sponsors to address any questions or comments about the project. Project sponsors are expected to respond promptly to inquiries.

March 2027 | Strategic Investment Plan Submitted to the State.

Summer 2027 | Project Award Announcement. Awarded projects are announced. Funds spent BEFORE the announcements are not eligible for reimbursement.

Fall 2027 | Contracting and Project Implementation. Awarded projects will contract with a State agency and will progress the project to construction or implementation.

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria and Project Requirements

To learn about requirements for projects and to make sure your project is eligible to be considered for DRI funding.

2. Review the Local Vision, Goals, and Evaluation Criteria
To learn about the vision and goals for Ogdensburg's downtown and about how the Local Planning Committee (LPC) and State will evaluate projects. Stay up to date with the process and refer to the draft and final vision and goals on the website to ensure your project is consistent with the vision for downtown.

3. Consider consulting with an Architect/Engineer/General Contractor/Vendor
To help define the project scope of work, review the existing conditions, code requirements, and design feasilibility, and develop realistic budgets.

4. Attend Open Call Information Session, Office Hours, or Other Opportunities to Meet with the Consultant Team
To learn more about the process and project requirements. Check the website, www.OgdensburgDRI.com for information about how to attend or sign up.

5. Fill out the Project Form
Address each topic thoroughly and completely. The LPC will use this information to consider projects to be included in Ogdensburg's Strategic Investment Plan.

6. Submit your Completed Application
All applications must be recieved either electronically, in-person, or by mail no later than 12:00pm on September 8, 2026.

 

To submit via email:	To submit a hard copy, mail or hand-deliver:
Email your completed application and any supplemental materials to ogdensburgdri@gmail.com	FAO: Katie Sovie, City Hall, 330 Ford St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669

All applicants are highly encouraged to schedule a meeting to discuss project details. To schedule a meeting to ask questions regarding project eligibility, evaluation, or the project form please contact the Consultant Team at OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com

It is expected that DRI funds will be used for capital projects that will transform the physical environment of the downtown in ways that will benefit current residents and future generations. However, certain non-capital projects or projects that may lead to capital investment will also be considered to the extent that they will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown. The following is a description of eligible and ineligible project types.

• Public Improvement Projects. These may include projects such as streetscape and transportation improvements, recreational trails, wayfinding signage, new and upgraded parks, plazas, public art, green infrastructure, and other public realm projects that will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown.
• New Development and/or Rehabilitation of Existing Downtown Buildings. Projects in this category may include the development or redevelopment of real property for mixed-use, commercial, residential, not-for-profit, or public uses. Projects should have a visible and functional impact on the downtown, serving as catalytic or transformative projects that will provide employment opportunities, housing choices, and/or services for the community.
• Small Project Fund. A locally managed matching small project fund may be proposed to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as facade enhancements, building renovation improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance, or public art. Funds are capped at $600,000 for DRI communities.
• Branding and Marketing. Examples include downtown branding and marketing projects that may target residents, investors, developers, tourists, and/or visitors. The costs eligible under this category must be one-time expenses, such as those to develop marketing materials. This project type is intended for the overall branding and marketing of a downtown, not to provide branding and marketing services to individual downtown businesses or other entities.

• Planning activities. Following the preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, all DRI funds must be used for projects that directly implement the plan.
• Operations and maintenance. DRI funds cannot be used for on-going or routine expenses, such as staff salaries and wages, rent, utilities, and property up keep.
• Pre-award costs. Reimbursement for costs incurred before the completion of the Strategic Investment Plan and the announcement of funding awards is not permitted.
• Property acquisition. The cost of property acquisition can be included in the overall project budget, but the acquisition must be funded by another funding source.
• Training and other program expenses. The DRI program is a one-time infusion of funds and cannot be used to cover continuous costs, such as training costs and expensed related to existing programs. Expenses related to existing programs. DRI funds cannot be used to supplement existing programs or replace existing resources.

The following are the requirements for projects to be considered for DRI funding. Recognizing several requirements must be met to qualify for DRI funding, each project sponsor will have access to technical support from State agencies and a consultant team to assist with project development (i.e. construction cost estimates, renderings, climate resilient design, meeting decarbonization requirements, etc).

• Project Location. Projects must be located within the Ogdensburg DRI boundary. If your project is located outside the DRI boundary, please provide a brief description of how the project relates to the downtown and supports the stated goals of the DRI. Minor boundary modifications may be considered by the LPC.
• Project Timing. Projects must be able to break ground within two years or sooner ofreceiving DRI funding.
• Project Size and Scale. Projects must be large enough to be truly transformative for the downtown area. Stand alone DRI projects must be at least $75,000 in total project cost. Projects less than $75,000 can be submitted through this process as demonstration of demand for a Small Project Fund. If you have a project that is under $75,000 in total project costs, please contact the consultant team at OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com for more information.
• Project Funding. Projects should have financial commitments largely secured or be able to demonstrate a clear path to securing sufficient financing. It is strongly encouraged that all projects, especially private projects, use non-DRI funds that leverage requested public funding. Projects that use other funding sources will be more competitive for funding awards.
  
  For projects with a private sponsor, there is a minimum match requirement of 25% of the total project cost.** There is no minimum match requirement for public or non-profit projects.
• Project Sponsors. Every project must have an identified project sponsor. Sponsors may be public, not-for-profit, or private entities with the capacity and legal authority to undertake the proposed project. Proposals with project sponsors that are membership-only organizations or religious facilities must propose projects that are available to the public and not just to active members.
• Building Decarbonization. For DRI communities, all public, private, and non-profit projects that meet the criteria for new construction, substantial renovation, or a building addition shall include decarbonization techniques. Each project that meets the criteria will be required to select a method of demonstrating that the project satisfies the requirements More information on this requirement can be found in the DRI Guidebook.

If your project does not meet all of the criteria described in this section, we still want to hear your project idea! Please share your ideas to OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com

Certain projects funded through DRI will be required to meet the program's decarbonization standards and consult with the State Historic Preservation Office. Join one of these webinars to learn more about these program aspects and how they may affect your proposed project.

Decarbonization
August 11, 2026 at 11:00 am
August 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Registration Link:
https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/webinar/webinarSeries/register/61429d52b30f46ccad0567bd31d65a23

Historic Preservation
August 20, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Registration Link:
https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r998ba6da5d2965761f4c93781554c7ff

The following draft vision and goals were established by the Ogdensburg Local Planning Committee (LPC) using feedback received from the public during earlier public engagement events. Alignment with the Ogdensburg's vision and goals will be a criteria that the LPC will be using to evaluate submitted projects.

The Vision will be published here and on the Ogdensburg DRI website after LPC Meeting #2.

LPC Meeting #2 is scheduled for August 19, 2026. 

The Goals will be published here and on the Ogdensburg DRI website after LPC Meeting #2.

LPC Meeting #2 is scheduled for August 19, 2026.

The following criteria have been established by the Ogdensburg Local Planning Committee (LPC) for project evaluation. These criteria were developed based on the State's evaluation criteria, which are listed at the bottom of the page. The LPC will use these criteria when discussing and evaluating proposed projects throughout the DRI planning process.

The Evaluation Criteria will be published here and on the Ogdensburg website after LPC Meeting #2 taking place on August 19. 

Alignment with State DRI Goals.

• Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place that reflects the community's heritage and culture.
• Attract new businesses that create a robust mix of shopping, entertainment and service options for residents and visitors, and that provide job opportunities for a variety of skills and salaries.
• Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.
• Build a diverse population, with residents and workers supported by complementary diverse housing and employment opportunities.
• Grow the local property tax base.
• Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life for people of all ages, abilities, incomes, and backgrounds.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support investments that are more resilient to future climate change impacts.

Catalytic Effect. The project is likely to have a significant positive impact on the revitalization of the downtown by attracting other public and private investment at a scale appropriate for the DRI community.

Project Readiness. The project should be well-developed and poised to proceed in the near-term in a way that will jump start the redevelopment of the DRI area.

Cost Effectiveness. Investment of DRI funds in the project would represent an effective and efficient use of public resources.

Co-Benefits. The project will result in secondary benefits to both the community, which will generate additional economic activity and improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

Please complete this form in order to be considered by the LPC for potential DRI funding. Please address each topic thoroughly and completely. The LPC will use this information to consider projects to be included in the Ogdensburg Strategic Investment Plan. Project sponsors are expected to provide timely responses to requests for any additional information from New York State and/or the DRI consultant.

Please indicate your project type:

*If you are interested in submitting a Small Project, do not complete this form; instead, please use the Small Project Fund Interest Form.

Provide the contact information for the project sponsor, which is the entity proposing to implement the project. The project sponsor can be different from the property owner.

If there are additional people who should be contacted as part of this proposal, please provide their contact information.

Please indicate the location of the proposed project.

If the project is located outside the DRI boundary shown on page 4, please provide a brief description and justification of how the project relates to the downtown and supports the stated goals of the DRI program. The LPC may consider minor boundary adjustments.

Please provide a detailed description of the proposed project's scope of work, as applicable:

• The proposed use (e.g., commercial, industrial, public improvement, mixed-use).
• The goal of the project.
• The size of the project (e.g., square footage of the building and space to be renovated (if applicable), number of floors, acreage, number of units, type of housing, commercial tenants, etc.).
• The types of activities to be completed as part of this project (e.g., sidewalk construction, replacement of flooring, exterior siding, interior walls, plumbing and electricity in upper floors).

It is important to provide as much detail on the proposed project scope as possible. The information submitted on this form does not need to be final and may be subject to change.

**Building projects, depending on the scale, may be subject to the DRI decarbonization standards. Please see the DRI Guidebook for more information about which projects are subject to these standards.

Describe the project site's existing conditions, including a description of why the proposed project is needed. Include any work or planning done previously on the proposed project.

What is the total estimated project cost and the amount of DRI funds requested?

Please complete the budget table below. Please identify different activities associated with the project, their costs, the funding source, and the status. Please use the following definitions to guide the response for the Budget.

Secured: This funding source and amount of funding is guaranteed.
Anticipated: This funding source is reasonably expected to be available at the time of project implementation, but the project sponsor does not have the funds currently available. This status may apply for funding sources such as loans, bonds, or fees.
Requested: The project sponsor has submitted a request to a funding entity for the amount identified but has not received confirmation of funding. This category is appropriate for the DRI funding source or other grants.
Undetermined: This funding source has not been secured, and the project sponsor has not fully identified the funding sources and amounts.

Notes: Typical activities included in a construction budget include: architectural and design costs, permit and survey fees, site preparation costs, insurance / bond fees, construction costs, and contingencies.

DRI funds are structured as reimbursable grants. If DRI funds are awarded, the grant recipient may need to finance the total project cost using a bridge loan, owner equity, or another financing mechanism. In this situation, grant funds will be released once the project is completed per the contracted scope of work.

*If a proposed project has not yet developed cost estimates or identified sources of funding, please provide as much detail as possible at this stage.

*A project may include the cost of acquisition in the project budget, but the acquisition must be covered by another funding source, as DRI funds cannot be used to acquire property.

Please describe how your costs were estimated.
For example, were the estimates provided by a third-party contractor or architect?

Please describe the status of non-DRI funds and the timeline for obtaining them.
For example, $X will be provided by private funds. These funds are anticipated to be secured through a loan from XYZ bank by X date. Letters of commitment or other proof of funds may be attached as supplemental information.

Describe any work that is underway or has already been completed to advance the project, such as feasibility studies, market studies, business plans, preliminary site design, permits obtained, and/or funding or financing that has been secured. If studies have been completed, please submit those with this form.

Check the CRIS website to determine the status of your property - https://cris.parks.ny.gov/

Please include images of the existing project site or building (interior and/or exterior). The images provided must be of the space where project work is proposed. These can be submitted electronically or as a hard copy.

The following documents may be provided, if you have them readily available. Inclusion of the documents help to demonstrate that your project is ready to be implemented in the short term and feasible. Please check the corresponding box to the supplemental information you are providing with this application.

This information can be submitted electronically or as a hard copy. Include the project title and project sponsor contact information on each page of supplemental information. If you are submitting supplemental information that is confidential, please label it as such.

 

Please note that while these additional documents are not required at time of project submittal, those marked with an asterisk, at minimum, will be required prior to LPC Meeting #4 in order for the LPC to properly evaluate the project for readiness.

I hereby certify that the information provided in this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. In order to be considered for DRI funding, I understand that additional information may be requested about the project and may involve meeting(s) with the DRI consultant. I agree to provide the requested information in a timely manner in order for the LPC, consultant team, and State team to consider my project for funding.

I understand that submission of this form does not constitute an application for or guarantee of funding from New York State, that the information provided herein will be reviewed and considered by the DRI Local Planning Committee for possible inclusion in the DRI Strategic Investment Plan. I further understand that inclusion in the DRI Strategic Investment Plan does not constitute a guarantee of funding from New York State, that all funding decisions will be made by New York State, and if funded I will comply with all State funding requirements.

Further, I hereby acknowledge that I have read the DRI project criteria and understand that any DRI funding provided for projects will made available on a reimbursement basis only after expenses are incurred or in some cases, after a project has been successfully completed in its entirety. I also understand that DRI funding will be subject to all applicable New York State requirements, including, but not limited to Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) utilization, competitive procurement for goods and services, and project status reporting.