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Firm Studies Environmental Impact of Redeveloping Oneonta Rail Yards

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The Daily Star | Whitney Bashaw January 9, 2019   ONEONTA — Two representatives from the Delaware Engineering presented the results of the generic environmental impact statement on developing the Oneonta Rail Yards to the community development committee at City Hall on Wednesday. Delaware Engineering was hired by Otsego Now, the county’s Industrial Development Agency, to conduct an environmental impact study on the 80-acre site off of Chestnut Street and Fonda Avenue, which is owned partially by Ostego Now, private owners and Delaware and Hudson Railway. Mary Beth Bianconi and Tracey Ledder gave the presentation to the committee, which included committee chair … Read More

First Stage of Oneonta Rail Yards Gets Approved

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WKTV | Zhane Caldwell May 15, 2018   ONEONTA — Oneonta Common Council voted unanimously to approve the first stage of the city’s proposed rail yard on Tuesday. Developers are looking to create a new industrial/commercial business park that would create new jobs for Oneonta. Along with creating jobs, the rail yards would provide additional markets for Otsego County, and add to the local tax base. Developers are currently laying the ground work for the completion of the projects. The Oneonta rail yard will involve the construction of structures, parking, and a bridge giving access to the site. The rail … Read More

Local Areas Deemed Eligible for Federal Funds

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The Daily Star | Denise Richardson April 23, 2018   ONEONTA – Several local areas, including sites in Oneonta, have been nominated for the Opportunity Zone community development program, which officials said is good news for economic development possibilities. New York is participating the federal program offered through the Tax Cuts and Job Acts of 2017, which encourages private investment in low-income urban, under-served and rural communities. The state has recommended 514 census tracts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for designation as Opportunity Zones, according to state officials who reported that eight tracts are in the four-county area. … Read More

Consultant: City Can be Rail Yards Matchmaker

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The Daily Star | Denise Richardson April 4, 2018   ONEONTA — Matching commercial sites with companies or investors is like dating, project consultant Mary Beth Bianconi said Wednesday night during a public session on the proposed Oneonta Rail Yards redevelopment. But before the Oneonta site can woo potential dates, it has to get into the dance, she told about a dozen people at Riverside Elementary School. Bianconi, standing before illustrations of potential site layouts, discussed factors, such as land use, traffic and infrastructure, and their impacts, which are to be considered in environmental assessments and site preparation. The Otsego County … Read More

Camping Company Opens Oneonta Facility

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The Daily Star | Denise Richardson March 22, 2018   ONEONTA — A company has opened its manufacturing headquarters in the Oneonta Business Park to employ about 20 workers to make, package and distribute camping equipment for rental sites offered by private landowners upstate and beyond, officials said Thursday. Tentrr, a privately held firm, works with landowners to set up campsites in rural locations, and the company provides “an expedition tent” and other equipment to make ready-to-use sites. Founded in 2015, the firm had its first camping season in 2016, officials said. On Thursday, Tentrr held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and … Read More

Council Inches Forward on Rail Yard Project

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The Daily Star | Denise Richardson March 6, 2018   ONEONTA – The Oneonta Common Council on Tuesday night adopted a Draft Scoping Document for preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement pertaining to redevelopment of the Oneonta Rail Yards. The Council also set dates for public sessions on the Draft Scoping Document and a period for submission of comments, among other business during a meeting at City Hall. Mayor Gary Herzig said he withdrew a proposed ordinance pertaining to certificates of compliance and inspections for residential and commercial rental properties because some more adjustments were needed to the language … Read More

City’s Plan to Develop Rail Yards Gains Steam

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The Daily Star | Denise Richardson January 16, 2018   ONEONTA — The Common Council declared itself lead agency Tuesday night in the environmental review of the Oneonta Rail Yard project and said development potentially will have some adverse impacts on the site and nearby area. The review and actions were the first formal steps in preparing and working toward redevelopment of the rail yards off of Chestnut Street and North Fonda Avenue. “This is a significant first step,” Mayor Gary Herzig said after the motions were approved. The project is one of the largest job-creation initiatives the city has … Read More