News from the Noteworthy from the City of Oneonta

What the Heck is Going on in Oneonta?

Oneonta is going through some changes. And boy, this is a tough time to ask people to be aspirational, and to have faith in one another.

But these changes are so necessary, and it is so very important that we are successful in our address of them.

We are not immune to the problems and challenges that face the rest of the country. We have been touched by similar concerns of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, a shortage of mental health services, addiction, population loss, and a stagnate economy.

Dealing with each of those—as we must—requires creative thinking and collaboration.

We are in a pitched battle with each of these monstrous issues. And I invite you to follow my videos and facebook.com/MayorMarkD, or invite me to speak at your next gathering, so that I can properly inform you of our progress and our plans.

As I haven’t had an opportunity to share an update in these pages recently, I’ll take advantage of this chance to talk about one of the most entertaining, most interesting things to have occurred downtown in a generation.

Like so many other Main Streets, ours has seen too many difficult days, and those shops and restaurants that have struggled to navigate them have done so while incurring financial loss and immeasurable stress. Foot traffic, the life’s blood of business, had become a trickle of what is needed.

We all want a vital downtown business district. Our quality of life and the city’s economy desperately require it. So, this summer, we are changing the dynamic of the Main Street experience. We are making Oneonta THE place to go if you are looking for a fun and engaging experience—after work, during the day, and on the weekend.

As you may have heard, we are branding this as Oneonta’s “Downtown Renaissance.” There aren’t often going to be the trappings one might expect of Europe’s Renaissance, although costumes and other thematic notions are encouraged and warmly welcomed.

The short-hand description of a renaissance is that of a cultural and economic rebirth that comes of a change in the long-standing paradigm. In hopes of our accomplishing that, we are embracing the performing and visual arts and providing a “blank canvas” for the creative output of our local talents.

In this respect, Oneonta is richer than many communities, and so we are more able to quickly harness those creative assets and deploy them in support of this campaign. By doing so, we will attract visitors and residents to our Main Street, increase foot traffic, and fill our wonderful little shops and restaurants. (And through reimagination of our downtown, we may even entice some of our visitors to consider joining us as new neighbors.)

So that’s the background. But what does that look like, and what can you expect when you join us downtown?

To start with, this is not a series of events that are tethered to the weekend. Every day, from Tuesday through Saturday, there will be something to capture your attention and your imagination. In Muller Plaza, there will be ongoing activities for the kids and families. The experience and convenience of patio dining will be enhanced by a youth program offering delivery service from our local restaurants.

After work, on various days in the week—and regularly on Thursday—the plaza will host jazz, swing, blues, folk, country, soul, rock, hip hop, spoken word, and more.

During the day, the activities at Muller Plaza will be further augmented by a newly-imagined Dietz Street Marketplace, diagonally across Main Street, which will have vendors and artists, and dance, karate, and other classes, tournaments, and impromptu music performance. We may even have magic. Doesn’t that sound great?

We are filling all our empty store windows with displays, decorating our trash receptacles with art (thanks, Oneonta High School!), and turning walls and fences into galleries.

And there’s more.

No matter the day, and no matter the time, you will find a visit to Oneonta entertaining and engaging. We’re having a renaissance and you’re invited! (I make no guarantees, but there may even be the occasional knight.)

For more information, please visit ExploreOneonta.com

Mark Drnek is the mayor of the City of Oneonta.