Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park improvements coming this year
PLATTSBURGH — Work on the Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park is expected to kick off later this year.
Last Veterans Day, the City of Plattsburgh and members of the Plattsburgh's Disabled American Veterans chapter were presented with a $125,000 Dormitory Authority of New York or 'DASNY' grant by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) to improve the Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park, which is located on the former Air Force Base where the North Country Honor Flight ceremonies take place.
'It is so important to honor our local veterans for all their sacrifices, and this park is one way to not only recognize their dedication and service, but also to celebrate Plattsburgh's military history,' Jones said. 'Members of the DAV and the City of Plattsburgh work diligently to maintain and preserve this park, and I am honored to help them in their mission.'
With the state funding, the city and members of the DAV plan to make renovations to the park, including improving the sidewalks and installing new lights.
'We're going to redo the lights and do a lot of the groundwork there,' Mayor Wendell Hughes said recently.
'I'm hoping, if we can get it done by, in between the second and third (Honor) flight, would be amazing so we can have it for the second half … but again, I'm not promising that.'
The first flight of the year took place May 17. The next three will fly out of Plattsburgh on June 28, Sept. 6, and Oct. 4.
According to a recent city resolution, the DASNY grant budget did not include funding for professional services to oversee the project and compile engineered design specifications before it goes out to bid for construction, so the city had to hire someone for these services.
At their May 15 meeting, city councilors awarded a $2,500 Professional Service Agreement to Barton & Loguidice, which will now include providing oversight for the implementation of the DASNY grant. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
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