Write a commentMayor Billy Barlow delivered the 2021 State of the City Address for the City of Oswego this evening (Jan. 12th) recapping government happenings from 2020 and outlining plans and goals for city government in 2021.
During the address, Barlow discussed the city’s continued effort to combat COVID-19, the expected completion and improvements to Wright’s Landing Marina, an upcoming $9 million project to transform the International Pier into a public boardwalk, the dedication of the International Pier to former Mayor William S. Cahill, Jr who passed away in 2020, a new partnership with Pathfinder Bank to assist frontline workers who purchase a home in Oswego, reducing building permit fees, sewer bills and other improvement plans throughout the community.
“2020 was a challenging year to be sure, but progress continued in the City of Oswego. From our downtown revitalization efforts resulting in historic buildings being rehabilitated, new buildings being developed, public space improvement projects, neighborhood revitalization efforts, strong code enforcement, news parks, more public amenities, paving city streets, to lowering taxes and attracting new businesses, the record of what we’ve done is staggering,” said Mayor Billy Barlow. “Our 2021 agenda supports our citizens and small businesses through the duration of the pandemic and outlines specific projects and initiatives to continue building our momentum and making progress despite the on-going challenges,” Barlow said.
Mayor Barlow’s 2021 State of the City Address Highlights
- Complete Wright’s Landing Marina $3.1 million improvement project, open June 1st
- Open new splash pad water playground at Breitbeck Park
- Break ground on $9 million transformation of International Pier, dedicate to Mayor Bill Cahill
- Reduce water and sewer bills by $100 a year for ALL users
- Launch “Heroes as Neighbors” Program, covering closing costs for frontline workers, military
- Reduce all building permit fees by 50%
- Refurbish box lacrosse court at Fort Ontario
- Complete and improve police reinvention collaborative
- Administer another $10,000 round of small business “Buy One Get One” Program
- BEAT COVID-19!
Several of the mentioned proposals and projects will be brought before the Oswego Common Council for consideration in the coming weeks and months. Barlow thanked the Common Council and city department heads for their continued hard work and commitment. Barlow closed his speech by saying, “Between our downtown revitalization developments, upcoming waterfront projects, improvements to our parks and neighborhoods, and lowering the cost of living in Oswego, there is more happening in our community than has happened in decades. This city has limitless potential, and we are unlocking more of it every moment. All we have to do is work together, be positive, be confident, believe in ourselves, lift each other up and work hard to improve our city each and every day, and that is exactly what we’re going to do in 2021.”
Mayor Barlow’s 35-minute speech was broadcast live on the Oswego City School District’s television station WBUC, and on the Mayor Billy Barlow Facebook Page and City of Oswego Youtube Channel. If you missed the address, it can still be viewed on the City of Oswego YouTube channel.
