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Ogdensburg to receive $10,000 grant for security improvements at municipal docks

Posted 4/5/16

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg will receive a $10,000 to establish a secure municipal docking facility, according to Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell D-Theresa. The secure facility will allow cruise ships to …

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Ogdensburg to receive $10,000 grant for security improvements at municipal docks

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg will receive a $10,000 to establish a secure municipal docking facility, according to Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell D-Theresa.

The secure facility will allow cruise ships to make stops in Ogdensburg. This comes after a river cruise ship cancelled a trip to the city last year because of security issues.

The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority is also assisting in the effort by providing $5,000 to amend the United States Coast Guard's facilities security plan to include the city's municipal dock.

Assemblywoman Russell said the funding she secured is aimed at provided monies needed to purchase fencing and signage required by the Coast Guard to secure the dock area when passengers are being let off ships.

She said the issue arose last year when a cruise ship wanted to stop in Ogdensburg, but the lack of a secure docking area prohibited that from happening.

"I am pleased to be able to work with city officials and provide the funding necessary to overcome that hurdle. The cruise ships have likely set their schedules for the 2016 season, but this will give Ogdensburg city officials, chamber representatives and other stakeholders from the community an opportunity to work together to get on the 2017 itinerary as well as to develop a plan to showcase the best the North Country has to offer for passengers stepping off those cruise ships in the city. I know that work is already well under way," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The Ogdensburg City Council will be asked at its meeting on Monday to approve a grant agreement with the Department of State for the $10,000 in funding.

Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy said city officials are grateful to Assemblywoman Russell for securing the funding.

"We are really looking forward to being able to accommodate these passenger vessels. This is big for us, being able to bring ships of that size to our dock with folks looking for something to do while they are docked here," City Manager Purdy said.