Construction starts on $1.3 million resiliency project at historic site in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. — Construction has begun on a $1.3 million resiliency project awarded to the Fort de la Presentation Association in Ogdenburg in northern St. Lawrence County.

The funding is awarded through REDI — the resiliency and economic development initiative, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

The Fort de la Presentation site was once used by American, Canadian, Native American, French, and British people for worship, trade, and protection during wartime. The site is now used for reenactments and community recreation.

The project site is located on a peninsula on the St. Lawrence River at the intersection of the Oswegatchie River.

Due to proximity to the rivers, “extensive” erosion and flooding has occurred on this site, Cuomo’s office said. The project will rebuild flood-damaged shorelines and trails with “more resilient” designs that will mitigate future damage and provide enhanced wildlife habitat while maintaining the “historic and aesthetic value” of the property.

Proposed mitigation measures for this project include stabilizing the Oswegatchie River shoreline using riprap with live stake plantings and toe wood / toe rock installations.

Crews will also perform shoreline work along the St. Lawrence River that will include rock-sill stabilization with soil lifts, natural stone-slab steps for pointed access to the river, and plantings along the shoreline including bioretention plantings.

The mitigation work will include raising a portion of the Abbe Piquet Trail above flood elevation and constructing an overlook deck platform on the St. Lawrence River shoreline.

“Historic flooding in 2017 and 2019 had devastating effects on the shoreline of Fort de la Presentation highlighting the need for shoreline stabilization. In addition, excessive wind and wave action caused flooding and damage to our new interpretive trail. Flooding reached across the access road, spreading inland. The Fort Association did not have the funds to repair these damages or stabilize the shore,” Barbara O’Keefe, president of the Fort de la Presentation Association, said in a statement. “Thanks to the partnership with New York State and through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative we can now take the needed measures to stabilize the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie River shorelines and repair and enhance the Abbé Picquet Trail, ensuring that Fort de la Presentation remain accessible to the community and tourists, as well as protect the National Register of Historic Places for future generations.”