Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $9.5 Million Resiliency Project in the City of Oswego

Stabilization and Revitalization Measures Implemented at International Pier as Part of New York State’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative

Infrastructure Improvements Will Promote Recreational Use and Ensure Access to Key Businesses

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of construction at International Pier in the City of Oswego, Oswego County. The city was awarded $9.5 million through the New York State’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative for the revitalization of this historic pier. High water levels and storm-driven wave action from Lake Ontario caused structural damage to the pier in 2019.

The completed project protects and stabilizes the deteriorating International Pier. Additionally, the pier has been converted into a pedestrian-friendly park, which now connects to the city’s walking trail system. The new International Pier layout better utilizes space, serving recreational boaters and drawing residents to the new park space with fresh opportunities to enjoy the waterfront.

“Climate change is a reality we cannot afford to ignore, and New York is tackling the challenge head on,” Governor Hochul said. “Through REDI, New York State is continuing to assist the Lake Ontario shoreline communities in their fight against the effects of climate-driven extreme weather and flooding, as seen throughout the region in 2019 and as we continue to see across the state.”

Resiliency and revitalization measures implemented at International Pier include:

Installation of new water, sanitary sewer, stormwater collection, as well as new electrical services
Addition of a gateway arch and additional visitor parking
Improvement of the landscape
Relocation and replacement of boat slips; and
Raising the elevation of the pier and installation of shoreline stabilization to protect the pier bulkhead and sidewalls

The project builds upon the $3.1 million Wright’s Landing Marina REDI-funded project, which completed construction in 2021. The marina project helped to promote and enhance recreational opportunities in the harbor, while creating a vibrant and open public space. The location of International Pier immediately next to Wright’s Landing Marina amplifies the transformative impact of resiliency improvements made under the REDI program at Wright’s Landing.

The REDI projects complement the State’s $10 million award to Oswego in 2016 through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Oswego was the first participating municipality to complete all of the projects that were funded by the DRI award. The State Department of State (DOS) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) also provided more than $1.5 million for additional improvements to the marina and adjacent Breitbeck Park, including re-painting the lighthouse; trail connections to Breitbeck park; installation of new fire-pits and seating; new and improved restrooms, including showers for boaters; a new fuel station; and a new boater services building. The LWRP also funded other improvements for Breitbeck Park such as a splash pad and new playground equipment.

New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “As we continue to protect the Lake Ontario shoreline, we make critical investments to strengthen the infrastructure that is vital for the communities along its path. The completion of International Pier is another example of how New York is committed to building a stronger coastline ready to withstand future high-water events and support a flourishing economy and residents along the Lake Ontario communities.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and REDI Commission Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "Building resilience to extreme weather events and climate change is critical for the future prosperity of Oswego and other shoreline communities. New York State continues to prioritize investing in infrastructure improvements like the International Pier project and advancing comprehensive resiliency strategies and protective measures to help prevent future economic, environmental, and public safety impacts of fluctuating water levels along Lake Ontario."

Empire State Development President, CEO, Commissioner and REDI Commission Co-Chair Hope Knight said, “The completion of International Pier is critical to the transformation of Oswego’s waterfront and reinvigorating the regional economy by attracting new residents, visitors and businesses. By strategically investing in resilient projects through the REDI Commission we are building towards a stronger and smarter future for the communities that depend on Lake Ontario for their livelihood.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Through its work at the Wrights Landing Marina, the International Pier and the Port of Oswego, the REDI Commission has made a palpable difference in helping the City of Oswego boost resiliency and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. It also complements Governor Hochul’s ongoing investments in the City of Oswego through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative along with more than $40 million in investments made by the State Department of Transportation over the last five years alone. Oswego has come a long way in only a short amount of time, and the best is yet to come for this shoreline city with limitless potential in Central New York.”

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, OGS is proud to support the ongoing work of New York State’s REDI program projects which will increase recreational opportunities, provide a boost to the region’s tourism economy, and build resiliency in flood-prone areas along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Residents of Oswego can be proud of all that’s been accomplished at the new International Pier and Wrights Landing Marina.”

State Senator John W. Mannion said, "The completion of the state-funded International Pier project is a major improvement for the City of Oswego's waterfront that stabilizes the shoreline, provides better facilities for boaters, and creates new recreational space for residents and visitors to enjoy. I’ll continue to support REDI funding in the state budget because Central New York communities benefit from these investments. I extend my gratitude to Governor Hochul, Commissioner Seggos, and to everyone involved in the planning and execution of this project."

Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay said, “The completion of the International Pier project is welcome news for the City of Oswego and builds upon other important infrastructure improvements in the area. Residents and visitors will benefit from connecting the city’s trail system with the new pedestrian-friendly park and enjoy the upgraded outdoor spaces. It’s an exciting day for the city and I want to congratulate everyone involved with this effort.”

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow said, “The transformation of the International Pier into the William S. Cahill Pier is a major waterfront project that will attract people from all over Central New York to the waterfront and compliments several other improvement projects New York State and the City of Oswego have partnered on since 2016. This project reinforces our shoreline, repaired a significant amount of aging infrastructure, and created a new public park for people to enjoy. Thanks to the investment from the NYS REDI fund and Governor Kathy Hochul, Oswego’s waterfront is better now than it has ever been before.”

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million, to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Since the creation of the State’s REDI program in Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 29 projects in the design phase, 44 projects in the construction phase, and 61 projects completed.

Oswego County REDI Milestones

East Operating Dock, Port of Oswego Authority, Construction Complete, $300,000 award: Installation of a cellular steel sheeting wall to break high water wave action in the impacted area to protect the north end of the East Operating Dock. This project will also protect the integrity of the dock, ensuring continued operation and maintaining public safety.
Port Authority Marina, Port Authority of Oswego, Construction Complete, $40,000 award: Installed new, self-adjusting docks to replace docks that were at a fixed elevation.
Port Authority West Pier, Port Authority of Oswego, Construction Complete, $149,513 award: Shoreline stabilization measures along the West Pier where high water and excessive wave action had negatively impacted the berm.
Mexico Point State Park, Oswego County, Construction Complete, $480,000 award: Installation of 435 linear feet (LF) of shoreline stabilization with the placement of 3,200 tons of stone to prevent further shoreline depredation.
Wrights Landing Marina, City of Oswego, Construction Complete, $3,100,000 award: Raising the elevation of marina structures to compensate for higher water levels, including the boat launch, pavilion area, parking lot, and access roads. The structures were raised approximately three feet in order to reduce future flooding. Additional mitigation measures included adding Bioretention basins to infiltrate, store, and filter the rainwater.
Port Authority (Lehigh Cement), Oswego County, Port Authority of Oswego, Construction Complete, $70,000 award: Repair the portion of the pier wall by the Lehigh Cement Facility.
North Sandy Pond Resiliency Project, Oswego County, Town of Sandy Creek, Construction Complete, $600,000 award: Nature-based shoreline (beach and dune) restoration of barrier island and stabilization of channel.
County Route 89, Oswego County, Construction Complete, $1,270,000 award: Improvements to the drainage of the roadway and improved public safety by providing a safer roadway that does not require closure due to flooding. Resiliency work included replacement of the existing culvert with a larger culvert to increase drainage, as well as reconstruction of the roadway and installation of stone fill to protect the embankment slopes. The project also included minor profile adjustments to the roadway, as well as the installation of new guiderail, signs, and pavement markings.
Residences & Businesses along NYS Route 104 and Fred Hayes Blvd. / Commercial District on County Route 89, Town of Oswego, Construction Phase, $4,800,000 award: Establish a municipal sewer collection system for the residents and businesses situated along portions of County Route 89, State Route 104, and Fred Haynes Boulevard adjacent to Lake Ontario and SUNY Oswego. Resiliency measures of the project will include approximately 33,000 linear feet of mainline pipe and lateral connections to establishments, as well as the installation of two primary pumping stations to transmit wastewater to the City of Oswego.
County Route 5 / Lake Street, Oswego County, Construction Complete, $560,000 award: Replacing the concrete retaining wall located at the mouth of Salmon River, which had deteriorated due to high water levels and wave action. The project will help protect public and private access to residences and businesses during a wide range of lake level and storm conditions.