Officials break ground for restaurant, office building on Oswego's Main Street

Ground was broken in downtown Oswego Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 11, on a three-story, mixed-use building on the site of the former village hall at 113 Main Street, just south of Washington Street (Route 34).

As planned by Imperial Investments, LLC. of Yorkville, project developers, the building will house a restaurant with al fresco dining on the first level and feature professional office space on the second and third floors.

Imperial officials have targeted a June 2020 completion date for construction.

"Imperial Investments coming to Oswego is a big deal. Imperial Investments coming here is not just a one-project shot," Village Administrator Dan DiSanto said.

When asked what interested his firm in the Main Street location, Mike Mann, Imperial's director of development, said he is a long-time village resident.

"I want to see stuff happen here like it's been happening in other communities...I think Oswego is ripe and ready for this type of development," Mann said. "We're just really excited to be a part of downtown Oswego."

Village President Troy Parlier praised Mann and the relationship his firm has developed with the village.

"Mike has an extraordinary vision being from Oswego, and (an) extraordinary pulse on the buildings that are going to really turn this downtown into a much greater downtown - and keep the feel that we all want," Parlier said. "...Oswego is going to be very, very happy."

Mann emphasized he plans to keep the interests of the community at the forefront.

"I've been here for over 20 years, my kids have gone to school here, I have a vested interest in this. Any project that I'm involved with here is going to be in the best interest of Imperial Investments, but also in the best interests of Oswegoans," he said.

While construction is expected to begin on the building in the next two weeks, the village will also be working on infrastructure improvements in the area, including sidewalk repairs and alley work. Street closures on sections of Adams Street, as well as the alley through Block 11 between Main and Adams streets, and a portion of sidewalk on Main Street are anticipated to begin within in a couple weeks as construction starts.