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

Representatives from Oswego Health and the City of Fulton gathered and watched Rowlee Construction begin demolition on the green warehouse located on Rt. 481. Pictured here (from left to right) are Billy Barlow, VP of public affairs & system development at Oswego Health; Eric Witschi, senior project manager at La Bella Architects; Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels; Ted Rowlee with Rowlee Construction; Kelly Montagna, registered nurse and Oswego Health’s director of urgent care; Larry Rowlee with Rowlee Construction; Michael Backus, president & CEO of Oswego Health; Mike Pierpan with Rowlee Construction,; and Caroline Shue, City of Fulton Deputy Director of CDA. (Photo credit: Oswego Health)

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.

[elementor-template id="66015"]

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.

Advertisement

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.”

Eric Reinhardt: