NORWICH – The city’s Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Friends of the Park, has announced plans to move forward with the East and West Park renovations, originally proposed in 2002 and approved in July of 2009.
Renovations, initially slated to begin in early May, were held up “due to issues involving state agency oversight of the project which led to unforeseen delays,” according to Friends of the Park member Eric Larsen.
“We traveled to Albany to meet with state officials to resolve some outstanding issues and at this time we’re prepared to move forward,” he added.
BID Executive Director Pegi LoPresti cited Assemblyman Cliff Crouch as being “instrumental in setting up the meeting, and advocating on our behalf, in order to resolve issues with the state Department of Labor.”
“Assemblyman Crouch was extremely helpful in moving our project forward at this time,” said Lopresti.
Formed in 2004, Friends of the Park spent two years, between 2004 and 2006, meeting with a variety of community organizations, gathering input and feedback from over 35 groups, which LoPresti said “led to several revisions through the years.”
Several more years were spent in an attempt to secure funding and grant money for the estimated $1 million project, according to LoPresti, who wished to thank the City of Norwich and city officials, local foundations, businesses, individuals and the community at large for supporting the Friends of the Park campaign, which raised approximately $425,000 toward the renovations.
“We felt fortunate to be able to raise this money in a difficult economic climate,” stated Larsen, who added the “only reason we’re able to do this at this time is because so many local contractors offered their time, specifically Gary Brightman for leading the effort and spearheading one group of labor volunteers.”
Pending a final agreement with Chenango County, Larsen reported the BID and Friends of the Park will soon release requests “for bids for those portions of the project not being completed by volunteers,” and stated they’re “hoping to have the project completed by the end of October.”
With the summer schedule of downtown events, such as the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the Free Summer Concert Series, the Chenango Blues Festival and Colorscape, fast approaching, LoPresti said, “We want to make sure this is managed carefully to coincide with our annually scheduled events.”
“The Friends of the Park will work carefully to minimize the impact renovations will have on these events, but some disruption is inevitable,” she added.
Colorscape Executive Director Peggy Finnegan said while she’s “excited” about the renovations and the parks’ new layout, she believes the impact on downtown events such as Colorscape will “depend on what’s not done.”
“I know when it’s finished it will leave a lot more space for us, which will be nice,” said Finnegan.
As to the renovations themselves, Larsen commented “There’s still a lot of misinformation amongst the community about components of the plan, such as public restrooms, which will not be included.”
The renovated East Park will feature a permanent stage and a refurbished and relocated gazebo, while both parks will sport electrical infrastructure upgrades, handicap accessibility, new sidewalks, landscaping and lighting improvements, security cameras and new benches and trash receptacles.
Larsen also reported that the Desert Storm and Early Settlers monuments would be “slightly relocated,” which he said will actually make them “more visually prominent.”
The BID and Friends of the Park will continue accepting contributions toward the project, according to LoPresti, who added “we’d like to be able to include the Civil War cannon; however we still need funding in order to include that memorial.”
For more information on the East and West Park renovations, contact Larsen at 334-5653 or LoPresti at 336-1811.