Mini-golf course proposed for Ogdensburg parcel

Matt Curatolo, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·4 min read

Feb. 20—OGDENSBURG — The Request for Proposals deadline for 17 Main St. has come and gone and two submissions have been received by the City of Ogdensburg.

In a statement Saturday night, the city announced that two replies had been received for Parcel A of 17 Main St. The deadline was Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

"Both replies are under review and will be discussed at the upcoming City Council meeting on February 26, 2024," stated the city.

The RFPs are expected to be released at the City Council's next meeting on Feb. 26. One of the proposals was confirmed to be from Nick Wright, an Ogdensburg native and developer with N.A. Wright Creative Construct, LLC. He is seeking to build a high-end mini golf course at the location.

When reached for statement, Wright said that as an Ogdensburg native with "deep roots," he stands ready to help the city prosper.

"This process since beginning late last October has been challenging to say the least. Getting the city's old ways of doing business left behind and turning a page into a new direction is what my hopes are moving forward," stated Wright, "In regards to the RFP deadline today (Friday) I would kindly ask you to contact the City regarding N.A. Wright Creative Construct submissions."

On Feb. 12, Wright emailed City Council and city staff reiterating the need for N.A. Wright Creative Construct, LLC to purchase Part B of 17 Main St., a part of the parcel currently awarded to At the Docks LLC in a 2021 RFP. Wrights insists that since it has yet to be purchased, then it should be put back into the RFP process.

"As we work through the Project proposal for the Part A RFP it is apparent that we still very much need part B that has been owned by the city for the past several years and off the tax rolls. While I realize there were missteps in the way the prior RFP process was handled, there has yet to be clear documentation presented at public meetings or to my attorney regarding a written agreement with At The Docks, LLC.," wrote Wright, "Given the RFP was awarded to ATD, LLC almost 2 years ago but was never purchased by them, it is still our position that the land should be put back out for a new RFP process similar to Part A. Is anyone on this city council willing to come forward and take a public stand on this biased issue?"

Wright questioned why the city has been holding vacant land for over two years. At a previous City Council meeting, it was determined that At the Docks had until May 31 to move forward with the purchase of Part B. Part B, according to Wright, is necessary to make the project a "true reality."

Wright has offered $10,000 for Part B.

"Please tighten the timelines on deadlines and consider my $10,000 offer for Part B. Mystic Springs is a fully funded and shovel ready project. It is up to the City and politicians to make it a priority," he concluded in the letter.

Laura Ashley, an Ogdensburg resident, is looking to tell City Council that not only she, but many others, supports Wright's venture. She began a petition on change.org that received 400 signatures within the first day of being active.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ashley will submit the petition to City Clerk Cathy Jock to be added to the Feb. 26 meeting agenda. She said that she has a goal of 2,000 signatures for the deadline, but the petition will remain up for several weeks.

"If this development does not proceed, the City will lose out on much needed sales tax revenue, property tax revenue, tourism, exposure for future growth, and most importantly a unique opportunity for a regional family destination.

We have a serious developer, that is a native of the City, is fully financed, shovel ready and intending to use local contractors to help build Mystic Springs," wrote Ashley on the petition, "We encourage the City to welcome this investment and regional family attraction for a better Ogdensburg."

When reached for comment, Ashley said that she had spoken with Wright and other supporters of the project and that a petition was a good first step to see what residents thought about it.

"We talked about a petition being one way to gauge the interest for the project in our community, if it really is something everybody wants not just a few," said Ashley, "It's really taken off, we had 400 signatures in the first 24 hours. It seems like a great project in a great area."

The petition can be found on www.change.org under "Support Mystic Springs Development."