CITY OF OGDENSBURG

MAYOR’S MESSAGE
January 11, 2024

Welcome to the City of Ogdensburg’s website, where you can seek information about city
government and the services the city provides to our citizens, our friends and neighbors. The
site’s cover page provides news and announcements pertaining to city business and activities,
and a calendar of city events. I hope you find this website easy to navigate.
When you have time, explore the city website to learn more about your government and the city
departments that provide services to you:
- In the Business section you can find information pertaining to the city’s Municipal Code
(includes the City Charter), as well as the Ogdensburg Growth Fund Development
Corporation
- In the Government section you can find information about the Mayor and Council, the
City Manager, City Departments, the City Clerk and City Boards and Commissions.
Speaking of the latter, if you have interest in serving on a City Board or Commission
when vacancies arise, please contact me.
- The City Services link provides information pertaining to the valuable services provided
by the City Fire Department, City Police, City Department of Public Works and City
Recreation.
- The Tourism and History section includes information pertaining to tourist attractions
such as Fort de la Presentation, the Frederic Remington Art Museum, and the
Ogdensburg History Museum. Dining and lodging opportunities are also listed. A link is
shared for the Ogdensburg International Airport.
City Council meetings are usually held on the second and fourth Monday of each month, starting
at 6 PM in council chambers at City Hall. These meetings are also live streamed for those of you
unable to attend in person. I encourage citizens to attend meetings to witness discussions and
actions by the City Council and staff as government action affects you. Stay informed about city
issues, ask questions about these issues so you can offer your informed opinion to the City
Council.
I do not have regular office hours as Mayor, but I hope to spend time in the mayor’s office at
City Hall most weekdays. If you see my door open and you want to chat with me about city
matters, please drop in. Otherwise, if you want to confirm I am in the office to meet with me then
contact me and leave a message, and I will schedule an appointment with you. Visibility and
accessibility of the Mayor in City Hall is important to our citizens.
When I look ahead to the future of the City of Ogdensburg, two words come to mind -
opportunity and hope.
There is opportunity for developers as various properties in the city become available, many of
these properties along our beautiful St. Lawrence River. Significant upgrade of the city’s
infrastructure positions us for growth. The former Diamond National and Shade Roller
properties, the former Augsbury tank farm property, the land at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric
Center that will be available once the state razes the old buildings they have identified – we need
to provide the city resources to market these investment opportunities for development. I am
hopeful over time these properties will be restored to the city’s tax roll.
I am hopeful that Ogdensburg will see an increase in tourism to reward the efforts of so many
people in our community. Opportunity for an increase in the numbers visiting and spending time
in our city exists with the significant $18 million grant from New York State to the Ogdensburg
Bridge and Port Authority that will transform the Ogdensburg International Airport into a
regional transportation hub. It is welcome news to see the investment in airport expansion by the
OBPA these past few years rewarded.
More on the OBPA: the city will also benefit from the expansion of the Port of Ogdensburg, and
from the proposed construction of a Child Care facility in its industrial park.
Tourism opportunities offered in the city include:
- June 1, 2024, marks the 275th anniversary of the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed
Virgin in the temple at Fort de la Presentation, in effect the 275th anniversary of the City
of Ogdensburg. As it is able, I believe the city should support activities of the Fort de La
Presentation Association as it continues its efforts to rebuild the Fort. I encourage the
community and our neighbors to witness the Fort’s events in 2024.
- The Frederic Remington Art Museum, its many programs and activities
- The Ogdensburg Seaway Festival, whose volunteers not only bring tourists to the city
Seaway Festival week but also at its fundraising events throughout the year,
- The continuing growth of the “River District” with exciting proposals for new activity in
this area
- The continued growth of the Ogdensburg History Museum
- Ogdensburg Command Performances brings in entertaining shows that brings many
visitors to the city
- Our greatest natural resource, the St. Lawrence River draws visitors from around the
world. We need to bring back focused activity such as a fishing derby, coordinating
activity with our neighbors along the river in St. Lawrence County, namely Waddington
and Massena.
- Ogdensburg will experience a unique tourism opportunity this April 8 when we will be on
the direct path of a solar eclipse. Totality in the eclipse will occur around 3:20 PM that
day. If we promote Ogdensburg as a destination to witness this once in a lifetime solar
eclipse totality then we could see a sizable number of visitors that day and in the days
surrounding the event. The St Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce website has an
outstanding tab with information about this event and ideas in marketing our area to
tourists. Laura Pearson, Executive Director of the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of
Commerce, has been sharing ideas to promote the solar eclipse with local businesses.
 This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ogdensburg, we need to take
advantage of it.
In conclusion, I am hopeful for the future of the City of Ogdensburg. We need the help of many:
help from our federal, state and county governments; developers; our local employee unions; all
of you, our citizens. Working together, we can achieve good things for our city.
Thank you.

Michael J. Tooley
Mayor
City of Ogdensburg