Whether it’s the historic charm of downtown’s Main Street, the scenic beauty of the surrounding Catskill Mountains and Susquehanna River, anchor institutions such as Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta, or the abundance of arts, entertainment and recreation venues and events, the City of Oneonta has the elements necessary to become a regional tourist destination. In an effort to help reverse the recent economic downturn, the City is leveraging the support received through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to develop a unified image, and establish itself as a destination for arts, culture, recreation, and the rapidly growing food and beverage industry.
STRATEGY DESCRIPTION / POTENTIAL BENEFITS Goal 1: Monitor, support and implement DRI programs and recommendations that improve Oneonta’s image.
DI.1 Execute DRI Branding & Marketing and Downtown Wayfinding program.
To improve the visibility of Oneonta’s downtown and small businesses, $250,000 in DRI funds will be used to develop a marketing theme and network with which to regularly disseminate the marketing materials for the downtown. The project will result in increased retail sales, commercial business
opportunities, and improved perception of the downtown
$320,000 in DRI funds will be used for a Downtown District Signage project that will improve the visibility of downtown Oneonta businesses and advertise the City to a broad region.
DI.2 Explore creation of a Community
Information Officer position to oversee City’s long-term marketing efforts.
Creation of a Community Information Officer position will provide the municipal capacity needed to showcase the City’s natural and man-made assets and quality of life and properly market the City to
potential businesses, workers and residents.
Goal 2: Establish the City of Oneonta as a destination for the arts, culture, and recreation.
DI.3 Support ongoing efforts to grow the arts in
the City of Oneonta. Ongoing efforts could include programming and renovation of existing assets including, but not limited to, the Oneonta Theatre, Foothills Performing Arts Center, and the Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO), as well as exploring the feasibility of establishing artists’ lofts (live/work space) downtown.
STRATEGY DESCRIPTION / POTENTIAL BENEFITS DI.4 Explore development of a structure (Arts
Task Force) to coordinate arts, entertainment, and recreation venues throughout the City.
Participants in the public engagement process commented that it would be beneficial to have a single events calendar that promotes community, historic, cultural and recreation venues and events.
The careful development of events across the City can provide an effective mechanism for brand building, attracting visitors, and the inclusion of previously excluded areas into the tourism mainstream. Regional cultural or sporting events could be established to promote a unified brand and leverage exposure.
DI.5 Secure funding to implement
recommendations of arts and culture-related studies.
The City of Oneonta has the potential to be a vibrant and dynamic arts and cultural destination for the region. Growing the arts and cultural community will help make the City a unique destination, support a high quality of life for existing and future visitors, and attract visitors from outside of the City that will patronize local businesses.
To enhance the City’s arts & cultural community and assets, the City should implement existing
recommendations, which will help generate new public art, support local artists, market existing assets, and otherwise help grow the City as an arts and culture destination.
DI.6 Leverage and promote existing recreation assets and natural resources, including the Susquehanna River, Wilber Park, Neahwa Park, and the Homer Folks State Forest, to attract tourists and enrich the visitor experience.
Cultural heritage tourists, as well as outdoor
recreation enthusiasts, are looking for authenticity of place.
When promoting the area, special attention should be paid to those natural and man-made attractions that distinguish the City of Oneonta from other communities.
DI.7 Work with existing public and private entities to promote year-round recreation activities in the City, including hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ice skating at Neahwa Park, and snowmobiling.
To establish Oneonta as a year-round recreation destination, the City should partner with
organizations like Destination Oneonta to promote existing summer and winter recreation activities and events.
DI.8 Partner with existing organizations, such as Destination Oneonta, to develop a multi-day trip itinerary to market to regional summer tourists.
The City of Oneonta has an abundance of historic, cultural, recreation and natural assets.
Working with existing organizations, the City should develop and promote a multi-day itinerary that will drive visitation and increase customers’ length of stay in the City.
Goal 3: Establish the City of Oneonta as a food and beverage tourism destination, and hub for local agricultural entrepreneurs.
DI.9 Establish the Innovation Center for
Sustainable Foods to support the local food and beverage industry, as identified in the DRI.
Development of an Innovation Center for Sustainable Foods is in keeping with the Mohawk Valley REDC’s initiative to support innovation and expansion in the agribusiness and agritourism markets.
Development of the Center will transform Market Street into a regional destination centered on food, beverage, hospitality, and community, and connect and complement Main Street and the recent revitalization efforts underway there.
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STRATEGY DESCRIPTION / POTENTIAL BENEFITS DI.10 Partner with existing assets to coordinate
efforts to ensure Oneonta is part of a broader regional effort.
The City should work closely with existing assets, including the Hartwick College Center for Craft Food and Beverage, existing producers, the Oneonta Farmers’ Market, the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE), and CNY Fresh, to advance the Innovation Center for Sustainable Foods concept.
It is the policy of Oneonta to: support existing businesses and encourage the attraction of additional businesses that meet the needs of residents and visitors.