Oswego Health says work is underway to improve area around its Fulton location

FULTON, N.Y. — Oswego Health says work is underway on a $4 million project to improve the area around its Fulton location.

Oswego Health and the City of Fulton on Tuesday announced that work to demolish the green warehouse at 460 Park St. in Fulton has started.

Rowlee Construction is handling the effort to demolish the old warehouse adjacent to Oswego Health’s Fulton Medical Center.

Oswego Health expects the demolition effort to be complete in early January, Jamie Leszczynski, senior VP of communications & chief brand officer, tells CNYBJ in an email.

“Our goal is to further develop our Fulton main campus and improve the overall aesthetic of a critical entryway to both Oswego County cities — Oswego and Fulton,” Michael Backus, president and CEO of Oswego Health, said in a news release. “This corner we view as a critical community resource that we will develop into a welcoming feature that complements our healthcare services and enhances other Fulton DRI projects.”

DRI is short for the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The scene around the warehouse includes construction fencing and parking lots lined with heavy machinery, Oswego Health notes.

Oswego Health is using a $2 million Restore New York grant for the demolition costs, expansion of the parking lot, the addition of green space, and a community courtyard, all of which is part of the project’s first phase.

The Restore New York grant program, which is administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments revitalize their communities to help remove blight, reinvigorate downtowns, and generate economic opportunity. Rowlee Construction and La Bella Architects are handling the work on phase one, which is estimated to be complete in the fall of 2024, Oswego Health said.

Phase two, which is funded through a $2 million DRI grant, will conclude in 2025 and will include enhancements to the façade and investment in new technology for service expansion.

“The City of Fulton is delighted to support Oswego Health and help this important DRI project move forward by providing $100,000 in ARPA funds and $2 million in Restore NY funds,” Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels said in the Oswego Health release. “The demolition of the warehouse and the subsequent new construction and beautification of this location will enhance one of the primary gateways to Fulton while demonstrating the commitment of Oswego Health to grow and serve the needs of our community.”