POTSDAM — Do you have any ideas for the future development of Potsdam?

Is the village going in the right direction?

What changes would you like to see downtown?

Residents, business leaders and those who work in Potsdam now have the opportunity to express themselves and contribute to an ongoing brainstorming session in the form of an online survey.

The village planning and development office recently held a workshop to brainstorm the future of the village, and an online survey was launched to gather even more feedback and ideas from residents and those who work or own businesses here.

Village officials and committee members gathered for the Potsdam Village Visioning Exercise, led by village economic developer David Thurlow, following the Oct. 21 village board meeting to discuss ideas for the future of Potsdam.

“The visioning exercise we conducted at the last board meeting brought together the village board, staff and committee members,” Thurlow told North Country This Week. “The exercise was intended to build on the work the village has done in the past and also provide a starting point for new ideas and goal setting. We have several transformational projects underway through our 2019 Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant, including opportunities to improve Potsdam’s branding and marketing. For all of these projects, we want to make sure that everyone on our team is working in the same direction.

About 25 village leaders gathered for the workshop where they divided into small groups and completed worksheets with ideas for the economic and cultural development of the village. The groups then shared their ideas with the rest of the group and discussed their favorites.

The survey, posted online on the village website after the workshop intended for the general public, follows the same path.

The Potsdam Village Identity and Vision Survey, available online at , will gather ideas that will help the village’s economic developers identify community goals, particularly in light of the large projects planned for the center -city that are to be funded by the state as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. .

“This work is intended to help align the efforts of our current Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and other future village projects,” the survey states.

The questionnaire asks the interviewer to identify themselves and describe their relationship to the community, whether they are a resident, business owner, or someone who works here.

Other questions include:

1. What makes Potsdam so special? What can we be proud of that is unique or important to us?
2. What elements of Potsdam’s HISTORY make it special?
3. What elements of Potsdam’s resources, geography or built environment make it special?
4. What elements of Potsdam’s culture make it special?
5. What do you think should concern, prioritize or preserve our community?
6. What else is great about living here or visiting?
7. Imagine the future of Potsdam in 10 years, where it has grown and evolved into a prosperous and prosperous village. What does this future look like?
8. What has improved (in 10 years)? for example, not specific ideas, but general reasons why people like to live here or visit.
9. How should Potsdam feel as a village? What atmosphere should there be? for example, how would someone describe it to a stranger?
10. What else should be included in a common vision of what we want Potsdam to be?

The village is in the midst of several projects funded by part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award promised by New York State in 2019.

Many businesses and organizations have also received or will receive DRI Award funding, including the North Country Children’s Museum, SLC Arts, Jernabi Coffee, the Market Square Mall rehabilitation and the Potsdam Food Co-op.

On the Village’s bench are two extensive, multi-level projects: the Downtown Streetscape and Riverwalk Trail projects, which together cost more than $4 million funded through DRI funding channeled through the Department of State.

The Downtown Potsdam Streetscape Improvement Project will include areas of Market Street from its intersection with Depot Street to the intersection with Maple and Main Streets, and Raymond Street from the intersection with Market Street to ‘at its terminus at Garner Park. New sidewalks, pedestrian safety features, decorative crosswalks, pedestrian-scale LED street lighting via National Grid, stormwater management facilities, new street trees, road signage Orientation and street furniture are some of the improvements expected as part of the project.

The village’s Downtown Riverwalk Trail project area includes the section of Maple Street between Market Street and Clarkson Ave., Maple Street Park at the intersection of Maple Street, Clarkson Avenue and Sandstone Drive, as well as a connection between Sandstone Drive and Garner Park. The scope of work for this project will include bike lanes, new sidewalks, pedestrian safety features, a pocket park, pedestrian-scale LED street lighting, new street trees and street signage. ‘orientation.

“A strong community is one that shares a sense of identity; where there is some agreement and understanding of what we care about, what makes us special and what we are proud of,” Thurlow said. “Potsdam’s history, resources and culture are rich and unique, and we have the opportunity to continue to improve. We want to gather community feedback on all of these elements to help us define this collective identity and vision. This survey invites everyone to share their thoughts and ideas. We also anticipate more opportunities for public participation on specific upcoming projects, such as branding and marketing, in the near future.