(PLATTSBURGH- October 17th, 2023) - On Saturday October 28th at 10:30AM, local, state and federal officials will officially mark the end of the Margaret Street Construction project alongside lead project engineers at C&S Companies, and lead contractor, Rifenburg Construction. The public is welcome to attend this brief ceremony and ribbon cutting which will be held in Margaret Street near the corner of Margaret Street and Protection Avenue.
After two years of planning, public outreach and construction, the full-depth construction project on Margaret Street, Brinkerhoff Street, and Court Street will be complete. The project was initiated to replace the aging underground infrastructure dating back to the early 1900s. This project marks one of the largest capital projects the city has undertaken in recent history.
“The Margaret St. project was one of the biggest infrastructure projects the City has undertaken in many years. It required a significant amount of coordination and communication with stakeholders, engineering crews, City staff, and state agencies. Our approach to push out as much information as possible as well as involve as many of those groups was integral to the success of turning around the decades of deferred maintenance,” says Plattsburgh City Mayor, Christopher Rosenquest. “Our approach to community engagement should set a gold standard for large scale projects like this that have impacted thousands of residents and dozens of businesses.”
On Saturday October 28th, local officials anticipate this project will be complete and will be hosting a public event to thank the many people involved who brought this project over the finish line, including C&S Companies, Rifenburg Construction, the many downtown residents and businesses owners, and City staff. The ceremony will take place just before the City’s annual Downtown Trick or Treat event, where the public is invited to stop by downtown businesses and booths in Trinity Park and Betty Arts Little Park for a treat. The event will also have free face painting, dance performances, a live DJ and art installations. The event runs from 12:00-2:00PM.
“This re-opening is as much of a celebration as it is a collective sigh of relief. This project was anticipated to take two years to complete. As we’re looking to complete it this year, we’re happy to put it to rest and focus our much needed attention on other infrastructure projects,” adds Rosenquest. “This event is also a huge thank you and acknowledgement of the many business owners and residents who weathered this project. We realize how difficult it was to go into the unknown”.
Courtney Meisenheimer, Community Engagement Coordinator says, “We saw the opportunity to hold the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on the same day as the Trick or Treat event so event goers could experience the new roads and sidewalks downtown. The annual Trick or Treat event has always been about showcasing our amazing downtown businesses, and we encourage the public to come out to show their love and appreciation for our historic downtown as well!”.
For more information about the Margaret Street Construction Project visit my.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov. For information about the Downtown Trick or Treat event, visit www.discoverplattsburgh.com/events.
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