NORWICH – When the Norwich Business Improvement District and the community organization Friends of the Park first proposed renovating East and West Parks in downtown Norwich, the project came with a price tag of $1million. Now, as the group pursues fundraising to get the project off the ground, they’ve been able to bring the cost down to around $400,000 without cutting the improvements and upgrades.
The parks project was first discussed in 2002 when the BID contracted with Saratoga Associates to prepare a master plan for the parks. The plan was placed on hold for some time, until the Friends of the Park group formed in 2004. “Originally, the parks project was included as part of the Streetscape project,” said Friends of the Park Committee Member Eric Larsen, explaining that the county found issues with the original design and it was removed from Streetscape.
After several years of gaining input and feed back from the groups who utilize the park, the final plans for the park project have been made. The project will include electrical infrastructure upgrades, the replacement of two Civil War cannons in West Park, new sidewalks, the replacement of overgrown shrubs, water access to both parks, the relocation of two monuments, the reconstruction of the East Park pavilion, which will be placed at ground level at the front center of East Park, the construction of a permanent stage in East Park, the addition of decorative historic light posts and benches (similar to those in place downtown) increased security, burying overhead wires and making both parks fully handicapped accessible.
BID Executive Director Pegi LoPresti explained that the parks project will make it easier to set up all the events held in the parks, but it could also help to bring more events to Norwich in the future. Things like getting volunteers to set up a temporary stage and run electrical wiring for sound and lighting won’t be necessary. “It will all be taken care of,” LoPresti said.
Larsen pointed out that some of the upgrade components are desperately needed. “The electrical system is a true hazard,” Larsen explained. “The upgrade is 100 percent necessary. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
While the project will help current and future events, LoPresti said it also serves to help local merchants and Chenango County’s economy. “Foot traffic is vital to the success of our downtown. This will help continue the long term success of downtown and our local merchants,” LoPresti said.
LoPresti explained that while the organization was able to whittle down the cost of the project by 60 percent, they have not had to cut the size of the project to do so. “We’re talking about doing this with donated labor,” LoPresti said. “All of the funds donated to the project will go directly toward the cost of materials.” With the help of area contractors like Dave and Matt Burrell, Gary Brightman and George Carnrike who have offered to donate their labor to the project, the cost is estimated to be around $400,000. “Dave and Matt Burrell, Gary Brightman and George Carnrike have stepped up to the plate. They believe in this community and this cause and they are doing what they can to make it happen,” LoPresti said. Citing statistics recently released by Commerce Chenango, LoPresti said community festivals and events brought 150,000 people to Chenango County last year
Brightman, Carnrike and the Burrells have not only offered to donate labor, they have also helped in the planning stages of the project and are working to secure donations of materials and labor from individuals they regularly work with. With their help, LoPresti said, the organization was able to get the parks surveyed at no cost, and the contractors are working to negotiate with suppliers for deals on materials too.
“People need to recognize the commitment of local people in our community who are doing something to complete a project like this with no tax dollars,” Larsen said.
The time frame for the project will depend on fundraising and the state environmental review process, but ideally, LoPresti said, she wants to see the project completed in 2009. “Our goal is to do this quickly and have the parks out of service for a maximum of two weeks,” Larsen said.
To date, the group has raised about 25 percent of their goal, or approximately $100,000. NBT Bank was a major contributor, donating $50,000 to kick off the fundraising campaign. Although LoPresti said the BID and the Friends of the Park Committee were originally concerned about raising money given the state of the economy, they are confident the community will step forward in support of this project. “We have had so many successes in this community that were dependent on the generosity of the community. We’re hoping this will be another of those success stories,” LoPresti said.
For more information about the parks project contact either LoPresti or Larsen. The two explained they are more than willing to meet with individuals or groups to go over the project. LoPresti can be reached at 336-1811 or by e-mailing bid@frontiernet.net. Larsen can be reached at 334-5653 ext. 1 or by e-mailing eric@laralmgmt.com. Donations can be mailed to Norwich BID, PO Box 1127, Norwich, NY 13815.