- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown Daily Times
- The Journal
- Daily Courier-Observer
- NNY Ads
- NNY Business
- NNY Living
- Malone Telegram
The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce is considering relocating its office closer to downtown.
The Chamber has been asked by the city to consider the boaters lounge its Dobisky Center, located on the St. Lawrence River at 100 Riverside Ave. Since early 2011, the chamber has rented 1,054 square feet of space from the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority at Bridge Plaza.
The citys pitch is that the Dobisky building, with the proper signage at various entry points to Ogdensburg, would be attractive to out-of-town travelers seeking tourism information.
Chamber Vice President Lee A. Jones said Friday that no decisions have been made.
Its not a done deal, he said. Its still up in the air.
The Chambers $9,441.72 lease expires Dec. 31, according to OBPA Deputy Executive Director Frederick S. Morrill.
The Chambers actual annual rent is $842. The OBPA contributes a $5,000 stipend. Another occupant of the office, Knudsen Systems Inc., of Perth, Ontario, pays $3,600 a year.
Mr. Morrill said that the Authority knew of the Chambers relocation discussions.
Were aware of it, Mr. Morrill said, adding that the Chamber has been a good tenants popular with travelers coming off of and headed to the nearby Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge.
We like them here, he said. I think theyll decide whats in their best interests.
As popular, convenient and well visited as the Bridge Plaza office has been, the Chamber doesnt want to rule out the Dobisky building just yet.
Its got possibilities, thats for sure, Mr. Jones said. The proper signage is what its all about.
City Manager John M. Pinkerton, who suggested the relocation to Chamber Executive Director Sandra M. Porter, insisted Friday that discussion is preliminary and speculation premature.
But Mr. Pinkerton said a Chamber office in the Dobisky Center would do more than lure travelers - especially Canadians - to get their brochures and pamphlets.
They would get to see en route the citys business district, its downtown and waterfront.
And then get back on Route 37.
Everything goes by Ogdensburg, Mr. Pinkerton said.
The Chamber holds its bi-monthly board meetings at the Dobisky building.