BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- At the Docks owner Chris Frary recently shared plans to bring a Wyndham Hotel to Ogdensburg and is calling on the public to help garner support for Downtown Revitalization funding to make it a reality.

The announcement was made on the business enterprise's website where artists renderings of the plan, which included improvements to the Tiki Bar, a restaurant and entertainment center and rehabilitation of the former Ramada Inn.

"Since the purchase of the dilapidated hotel and marina property on W. River Street, Ogdensburg, we’ve carefully been planning enhancements. This takes much planning and resources," the announcement from At the Docks said.

“The marina docks have unfortunately suffered from neglect over the years under previous ownership, leading to various issues and deterioration. However, we began rectifying situations by implementing much-needed repairs and enhancements to ensure the safety and functionality of the marina and we are continuing to do so. A new boardwalk is planned (with lighting, CCTV, fencing and utilities), separate from the existing boardwalk along the marina wall, which will provide additional safety and security measures."

Frary has been working with the city in recent months to finalize a two-year-old purchase deal for 17 Main Street parcel B. More recently he submitted a development proposal for the adjacent parcel A. 

Developer Nick Wright has also sought to purchase both parcels, but pulled out of the project expressing displeasure at what he perceived as a lack of support from city officials.

Although many city residents are upset that the plans for a mini-golf course fell through, it's likely both parcels will now go to the Frary, who has big plans for the waterfront area. Frary says the parcels would be needed to store docks.

The city extended the deadline for proposals for parcel A until March 5 and said they had some questions regarding that proposal they are hopeful will be addressed in the resubmission.

Frary says a franchise agreement has been secured with Wyndam, but construction plans have not been finalized due to various factors.

"We have also been developing plans to address the state of the dilapidated hotel. We all know Ogdensburg could use lodging inside the city and along the St. Lawrence River is an excellent location for this. The benefits of this project include job creation (full time, and year-round positions), increased tax revenue for the city, community revitalization, improving blighted and underutilized areas and increased neighboring property values. We’ve secured a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels. Construction planning holdbacks have been with environmental concerns, addressing whether we build new or use some of the existing structure, and the usual concerns when developing a property," a post on www.atthedocks.com says.

Frary also urged the public to share their thoughts on the project.

“On a broader note, we also aim to get local businesses and entrepreneurs involved in the next Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) application. We’re eager to engage residents and business owners in forming a committee to pursue successful candidacy for New York State funding. Together, we aspire to continue making positive transformations in Ogdensburg. Interested parties, please comment or reach out via Facebook or email us at info@atthedocks.com!”