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City of Ogdensburg
Press Release

State-Funded Brownfield Investigation and Cleanup Activities Ongoing at the Former Diamond International Paper Mill Site

The investigation and cleanup of the former Diamond International Paper Mill site, a vacant 17-acre parcel situated on the eastern bank of the St. Lawrence River, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. According to information provided by Barton & Loguidice P.C., of Syracuse, New York, the engineering firm hired by the City of Ogdensburg in January 2005 to conduct the site investigation and oversee the cleanup activities, the removal of residual wastes and demolition of affected structures that still remain on the site should begin in late summer, and is anticipated to take approximately three to four months to complete. Following the completion of site remediation activities, and subsequent approval of the Site Investigation/Remedial Alternatives Report (SI/RAR) and Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the City of Ogdensburg can proceed with development of the site. The City has included the former Diamond International Paper Mill site as part of its Waterfront Redevelopment Action Plan, and the site was initially assessed by the City under an EPA Brownfield Pilot Program. The City intends to conduct a developer solicitation to realize the City’s vision of an appropriate mix of low and moderate density residential with water-dependent, commercial and service uses in a unified site plan that allows economies of scale, creative planning, smart growth techniques and design concepts that provide for open space, recreation and public access to the waterfront.

In January of 2005 the City of Ogdensburg was awarded funding from the NYSDEC, under the provisions of the Environmental Restoration Program (a.k.a. Municipal Brownfield Program), to conduct a Site Investigation and related activities at the former Diamond International Paper Mill site. The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 (Bond Act) provides funding to assist municipalities that have assumed ownership of Brownfield properties to investigate and clean up these properties so that they can be redeveloped. Funding provided by the Bond Act is used to repay municipalities for up to 90% of the eligible costs for the investigation and subsequent clean up.

The former Diamond International Paper Mill site was used for a paper mill from 1921 to 1987. Pulp and paper production at the Site ceased in 1987, and subsequent activities consisted of salvage operations to remove recyclable materials from the buildings. The site was investigated in 1995 by the NYSDEC for environmental concerns. Additional investigations were conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1996 and 1997. Subsequent to the federal actions, the buildings and most aboveground structures on the site were demolished by the City of Ogdensburg. The remaining site features include the wastewater lagoon, two clarifiers (which are concrete wastewater structures), underground chests contained within a concrete vault, and an underground kerosene storage tank.

According to Mr. Martin Murphy, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Ogdensburg, “keeping the public informed is an integral component of the Municipal Brownfield Program.” Mr. Murphy went on to state that “in June 2005 a Public Information Fact Sheet was distributed to all property owners adjacent to the site, as well as local government officials, NYSDEC, NYSDOH, various radio and television stations in St. Lawrence County, and other interested environmental groups.” In addition to the project specific information included in the Public Information Fact Sheet, Barton & Loguidice also issued a Citizen Participation Plan in May 2005 that describes activities to keep the public informed and involved during the investigation and cleanup of the former Diamond International Paper Mill site. Mr. Murphy also noted that the public will be invited to review and provide comments on the PRAP when it is issued by the NYSDEC this coming winter. Copies of the Citizen Participation Plan, as well as the Site Investigation Work Plan, are available for public review at the Ogdensburg Public Library, City Hall, and the NYSDEC Region 6 office in Watertown.

3/25/06 - OGDENSBURG SELECTED AS A FINALIST FOR 2006 ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD

OGDENSBURG - The City of Ogdensburg was recently selected as a finalist for the 2006 All-America City Award program. The City was among 34 finalists from across the nation to have been selected as a finalist for the prestigious award, which is sponsored and promoted by the National Civic League. A delegation from the City will now travel to Anaheim, California in June to be reviewed by the All-America City Jury in the hopes of being one of the 10 communities chosen for the coveted award. To view the full text of the National Civic League’s press release regarding the 2006 All-America City finalists  click on the following logo:

12/20/05 - ARTHUR J. SCIORRA NAMED NEW CITY MANAGER

“As Council, we were extremely impressed with Mr. Sciorra’s experience and his achievements in a similar community.” Mayor Bill Nelson said, “His experience with redevelopment fits into our vision for the revitalization of our City’s most valuable asset, our waterfront, rebuilding our downtown area, and preserving our community’s history. His extensive experience in economic development and working with a variety of Canadian government agencies will be a strength to our Economic Development activities as we continue to recruit Canadian based companies to establish a US location in Ogdensburg. Additionally, his success in working with multiple municipalities to address regional issues is important to the City and our North Country neighbors. We look forward to having Art on our team as our next City Manager.”

Mr. Sciorra will start February 1, 2006.

4/19/05 - CITY OF OGDENSBURG NOW OFFERS ONLINE PAYMENT OF TAXES

As of April 15, 2005, you may pay your City of Ogdensburg taxes and utility bills by Internet. By going to the attached website link www.municipal-payments.com you may pay current and past bills by credit card, debit card, or with an electronic check.

3/5/05 - AINSWORTH LUMBER PROPOSES TO BUILD OSB MILL

Will create 100 jobs

9/23/04 - BreconRidge to Create 100 Jobs in City

Governor George E. Pataki recently announced that BreconRidge Inc., a global provider of a full range of electronic manufacturing services, will establish its U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Ogdensburg. The Canadian manufacturer will create 100 jobs at its new headquarters, which will bring its total workforce in the City to 159 employees. The company already operates a separate telecommunications equipment repair facility in Ogdensburg with 59 employees.

Climbs From 74^thIn Nation To 36^th

Ogdensburg’s recent successes in creating new jobs have not gone unnoticed. Site Selection Magazine - which monitors industrial projects throughout the United States - recently ranked the Greater Ogdensburg Area as 36^th in the nation for new industrial facilities.

The City’s ranking climbed from 74^th place in 2003, the first year the City made the ranking, to 36^th place in 2004, the magazine reported in its March 2005 issue.

New York State was tied for 6^th place nationally for having a total of seven smaller geographical areas, called Micropolitans, make the top of the rankings. The Ogdensburg to Massena area was termed a Micropolitan under new U.S. Census Bureau designations that are designed to track rural economies.

Ogdensburg has seen tremendous success recently in its ongoing efforts to attract and retain new businesses. Most-recently, Ainsworth Lumber Company, Inc., of British Columbia, recently announced its interest in building the Chatham Forest Products, Inc., Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant in Lisbon that is projected to create 100 new jobs and cost $110 million to build. If the company’s due diligence phase is successful, construction could start this fall or in Spring 2006. As a new project, the OSB mill was not included in the Site Selection ranking.

Other successful economic development projects over the past 4 years include:

Additional details of the rankings can be found at www.siteselection.com

3/4/04 - The City of Ogdensburg, New York is one of America’s Top Small Towns for new and expanding facilities, according to a listing in the March 2004 issue of Site Selection magazine. The ranking was based on a community’s record of attracting new and expanding corporate facilities.

Six of New York's small cities made this prestigious list including:

• Plattsburgh which placed 2nd, up from 3rd, in the country;
• Watertown was ranked 18th (up from 55th);
• Ithaca was ranked 55th (up from 92nd);
• Johnstown tied at 55th place; and
• Cortland and Ogdensburg ranked 74th in the nation.

Governor Pataki hailed the announcement, which also ranked New York State #2 on the listing of States that have attracted new and expanding businesses.

"All across Upstate New York and the North Country, we are creating an environment where businesses can grow and create jobs," Governor Pataki said.  "Company executives from throughout the country recognize the tremendous attributes that cities like Plattsburgh and Watertown, Ogdensburg and Ithaca, and Johnstown and Cortland have to offer their businesses, and that is great news for the Upstate economy."

Recent expansion projects in the City have included:

Cheese Plant Reopens - 200 New Jobs Expected Over 3 years

It was recently announced that St. Lawrence Food Corporation (“SLFC”), a newly formed associate of Ahava Food Corp. and Lewis County Dairy Corp.(“LCDC”) will acquire and operate the former Ogdensburg Cheese plant on Main Street in the City. SLFC will invest over $3.26 million and has pledged to create 200 jobs at the plant over the next three years.

“This is exceptional news for Ogdensburg and the surrounding area,” stated Mayor William D. Nelson. “The reopening of this plant will breath new life into our local economy by providing new jobs at the plant and a market for local milk.”

Moise Banayan , the President and Chief Executive officer of St. Lawrence Food Corp.(SLFC) said, “General Manager, Tom Spencer, and I are excited at the prospect of opening a Supervised Kosher Cheese Production Facility in Ogdensburg at the former Ogdensburg Cheese Plant. This opportunity allows for expansion and diversity of Ahava Food Corp. efforts in the distribution of Kosher Cheeses and also opens opportunities for area farmers to join our Kosher Production Team, allowing them substantial premiums for milk, under the auspices of our Farm Resident Rabbinical Staff.

“SLFC is now in the advanced planning stages for commencing operations in Ogdensburg and firmly believes that this venture will be a huge success based in no small measure on the teamwork already exhibited in assisting us by Empire State Development, the County of St. Lawrence and the City of Ogdensburg. It is refreshing to have such a dedicated professional team working with us.”

Ahava, located in Brooklyn, NY, is the USA’s largest distributor of Kosher dairy products, which are generally manufactured at LCDC under the brand names of Morning Select, Golans, Ahava, SlimU, New Square and Best Moo. Having limited space to increase production in Lewis County, SLCF will purchase and operate the former Ogdensburg Cheese plant in order to meet current and future market demand. The addition of the Ogdensburg plant will allow Ahava to increase distribution, add new product lines and share processes with Lewis County Dairy.

City, County and State economic developers attracted Ahava to Ogdensburg after undertaking a 400-piece direct mail campaign to dairy producers in the Northeast to advertise the availability of the property when the Ogdensburg Cheese Plant closed in May 2003.

VISITOR CENTER GROUNDBREAKING – New York State Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels recently visited Ogdensburg to announce a $250,000 grant to the City for the construction of its new Waterfront Visitor’s Center on the St. Lawrence River.  Pictured (left to right): NYS Senator James W. Wright, Daniels, Mayor William D. Nelson, Governor George Pataki’s North Country Liason Joanne Dicob and Ogdensburg Recreation Committee Member Tom Pinkerton.

7/29/04 - NY Awards City $250,000 for Waterfront Visitors Center

New York Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels visited Ogdensburg recently to announce that the State had awarded the City of Ogdensburg a $250,000 grant for the construction of its waterfront Visitors Center.

12/18/03 - River Street Planning & Development has submitted its final draft of the Waterfront Redevelopment Action Plan to the Ogdensburg City Council. The City Council is reviewing the planning document and expects to approve the plan in the near future.

The objective of this plan is to capture the significant redevelopment opportunity these sites represent, aimed at new job creation, business growth, tax revenues and overall revitalization. The final draft is a market-oriented Vision Plan that builds upon local strengths and resources, and forms a basis for further discussion among the City, business leaders and the community to reach its objectives.