By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
ONEONTA _ First, it was the National Soccer Hall of Fame closing its doors.
Then came turmoil at Foothills Performing Arts Center. News of the Oneonta Tigers' plan to move to Norwich, Conn., followed.
Many were left wondering what this all means for the future of Oneonta. Is the community in decline? Or are these temporary setbacks for an otherwise vibrant community? What will Oneonta look like in five years?
Auto dealer optimistic
Local businessman Tom Armao is an optimist when it comes to Oneonta.
President of Country Club Automotive Group, Armao said the community, like the rest of the country, is under financial strain.
"What we look like in five years will be influenced by the financial markets," Armao said Thursday.
But Oneonta has the benefit of some large employers _ Hartwick College, the State University College at Oneonta and A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital.
"Historically, we have a stable economy and that's proving true even now," Armao said.
The "big box" stores on Southside _ although in competition with smaller, locally-owned businesses _ will continue to bring people into the community from surrounding areas, Armao said.
The loss of the Tigers won't be that much of a financial hardship, he said.
As for Foothills, Armao said he expects development of the performing arts center will continue.
With the state's fiscal hardships, less grant money will be available for the large community-development projects that have the capacity to shape Oneonta's future.
"New York state isn't making it any easier," Armao said.
But the people who live locally are a great asset, he said.
"We're survivors. We'll figure out ways to get it done," Armao said. "We work well together. It's a great community to be a part of."
Mayor focused on moving forward
One of the people tasked with "getting it done" is Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller.
From his corner office at City Hall on Thursday, Miller said city government will not be starting many new initiatives in the next five years.
"We've got to finish what we've got (started). And that's not bad," Miller said. "I don't want to be the community known for unfinished projects."
The city, working with Otsego County Development Corp. and the Ohio firm Bloomfield/Schon, is in the midst of redeveloping the former Bresee's complex between Main and Wall streets. That project may include major changes to Wall Street in an effort designated by previous city officials as a block redevelopment.
The Foothills Performing Arts Center is not complete. Although that project is led by a nonprofit organization, the city helped pave the way for it by spearheading the removal of the former West Nesbitt Feed Mill on the site of the center in 2003.
The most important thing to get accomplished in the next five years is to have City Hall, along with all of Oneonta's institutions, financially stable and delivering its intended services, Miller said.
The role of city government will be limited because of financial constraints, said Miller, who is pushing the Common Council to adopt a five-year financial plan designed in part to avoid depleting the city's reserves, which at current spending levels would be exhausted in three years.
"There is no money for bold new initiatives," Miller said. "The mayor has a bully pulpit and no more."
The outside grant funding that is available will need to thoughtfully applied, he said.
But Miller said he foresees Oneonta in five years as a vibrant college town with wonderful neighborhoods and a community with many of the amenities of larger cities.
A lot of decision making on the city's future will be informal, said Miller, who noted the former Bresee's project was largely pushed by his predecessor, Mayor John Nader, who toiled behind the scenes and used outside resources to set the plan in motion.
Other decision making that will shape the city's future will be made by private investors, he said.
"Who decides in a pluralistic society? The people with the money decide," Miller said.
But from the bully pulpit, the mayor can wield some influence, said Miller, speaking a day after meeting in the same room with representatives from Foothills, Friends of the Oneonta Theater and the owner of the Oneonta Theater. Miller met on Thursday with about 45 community members to seek investors and supporters for Oneonta Community Baseball, which would bring high-level, organized baseball back to Damaschke Field.
Nonprofit director stresses collaboration
One of the things Miller is favoring is the formation of a commission to explore the merger of the city and town.
This may be the wave of the future in areas beyond just government, said Cheri Albrecht, interim director at the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts and former Opportunities for Otsego executive director.
The area's smaller nonprofits _ those with budgets of less than $5 million _ will likely disappear or merge within the next five years, Albrecht said.
"The key for survival is collaboration," Albrecht said Thursday. "That's what people did during the Great Depression. These are tough economic times for every business I know."
Albrecht said she is "cautiously optimistic" about Oneonta's future.
"Most of us are here because we want to be. We love the hometown feel of it," Albrecht said. "I think we will survive. We are a tough people. We come from tough people. I don't think it will look the same, but I don't think it will look the same anywhere."
Albrecht said she and her husband were Oneonta Tigers season-ticket holders.
"I am very disappointed that the Tigers are leaving," she said.
Albrecht said she is optimistic that baseball will return to Damaschke Field.
But there needs to be a discussion on the National Soccer Hall of Fame building, she said.
"We need to talk as a community about what are the possible uses for that building," Albrecht said.
The community also has a vested interest in Foothills.
"We all put money into that building _ taxpayers, donors, all of us," Albrecht said.
Rather than criticize it, the community needs to work to support it, she said. "I think we will."
Main Street merchant sees 'rough patch'
When it comes to downtown Oneonta, there are only a few merchants that have as much experience as Betsy Westad Cunningham.
"I've been here a long time and I have always felt good about Oneonta and I am not changing my story," Westad Cunningham said Thursday from inside Artware, the store she owns across the street from the former Bresee's complex.
Artware has been on Main Street for 28 years and before that, it was on Dietz Street.
"It's obviously a rough patch," Westad Cunningham said.
But Westad Cunningham said she often hears from out-of-towners visiting Oneonta who are impressed with downtown.
She said if the community can continue to work together, she expects to keep hearing that from visitors.
Developer sees potential for growth
Otsego County Economic Developer Carolyn Lewis has seen her role with the city grow in recent years.
Her office holds the downtown development contract with the city. She is also spearheading the effort to redevelop the former Bresee's complex as the administrator for Otsego County Development Corp.
It's her job to be optimistic about Oneonta.
"It's hard to swallow a couple of the latest blows," Lewis said Thursday.
But she said in five years the community will remain "well-positioned with a real resurgence and vibrancy to it."
"The community will come together and put those questionable properties back in the rotation for everybody to enjoy," Lewis said.
Lewis said she also dismisses the notion that Oneonta is a community in decline.
"I don't believe Oneonta needs to be revitalized," Lewis said. "I challenge the people who say Oneonta is dying to really say why."
Student likes area, but won't stay
And then there is the barista who on Thursday was mixing mochas for fellow college students at Capresso.
John Merklinger said he will not be staying in the area after he graduates from SUNY Oneonta this spring.
But Merklinger, a resident for only two years, said that doesn't mean he doesn't care about the community.
"This is one of the most beautiful towns in the summer," Merklinger said. "I have met a lot of locals and they are nice people."
About half of the city's population of 13,200 are students. Another 5,000 people live in the town of Oneonta, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Although Merklinger will probably not be around in five years, he said he sees potential despite the recent setbacks.
"People aren't seeing a lot of good news, so I could see why they don't have hope," Merklinger said.
But Merklinger said he is optimistic.
"Anything can happen when people start working together," he said.
Jake Palmateer can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 221, or at jpalmateer@thedailystar.com.
