Village of Owego Open Call for Projects for Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Owego, NY – The Village of Owego was selected by the Southern Tier Regional Economic
Development Council to receive a $10 million award from New York State through the Downtown
Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The DRI investment will allow Owego to develop a strategic investment
plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance its vision for downtown revitalization. Projects
selected for DRI funding will transform the downtown and support a vibrant local economy.
Owego DRI Local Planning Committee Seeks Project Ideas from the Community
The Owego Local Planning Committee (LPC) has issued an Open Call for Potential DRI Projects to seek
proposals for privately sponsored projects to be considered for DRI funding. The purpose of the Open Call
is to hear from members of the community who have potential transformative projects on private sites
that provide economic and community benefits. This process will enable the LPC to fully vet private
projects that could transform the downtown, in a uniform, open and transparent process. Submissions
should include capital/construction projects, business expansion or creation, and renovation of existing
buildings on private sites. Submissions should demonstrate commitment of private funding sources and
discuss the project’s transformative nature and potential community benefits. New ideas are encouraged,
as well as established project concepts. All submissions should include as much information as possible
on potential projects in order to demonstrate that the idea is feasible and will have a meaningful impact
on downtown Owego. After submission, the Owego LPC and its consultant team, led by BFJ Planning, will
work with project sponsors to gather additional information as needed.
All requirements for submissions can be found in the Open Call for Potential DRI projects. A PDF of the
Open Call for Potential DRI projects can be downloaded at the following link:
https://www.villageofowego.com/downtown-revitalization-initiaive
Hard copies of the Open Call for Projects are also available at the Village office (178 Main Street) and the
County Economic Development & Planning office (56 Main Street).
Project submissions should be emailed to [email protected] by December 7, 2018. The
consultant team will hold “office hours” to discuss questions about potential submissions on
Wednesday, November 14 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Tioga County Office Building, 56 Main
Street, in the second floor conference room. In addition, questions on the Open Call can be sent via
email by November 16, 2018.
DRI Process and Opportunities to Get Involved
The approximately six-month DRI planning process will be guided by a Local Planning Committee of
representatives from Village and county government, community organizations, local businesses, and
local residents. The first LPC meeting was on October 10, 2018, and the LPC will continue to meet
regularly until the plan is completed in March 2019. The meetings are working sessions for the LPC, but
they are open to the public. LPC meetings are planned on the second Wednesdays of every month
(through March) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Owego Apalachin Central School, in the LGI room (1
Sheldon Guile Blvd).
The DRI planning process also incorporates robust public engagement to ensure that the strategic
investment plan reflects the priorities of the Owego community. The first of three public engagement
events is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24 at 6:30 pm at Tioga Opportunities (9 Sheldon Guile
Blvd). A second public event will be held in December 2018 or January 2019 and a final public event
will be held in February 2019.
Please visit www.ny.gov/DRI for more information on opportunities for public input and the DRI
planning process. Follow the Owego DRI on Twitter and Instagram @OwegoDRI and on
Facebook @TeamTioga.
