To apply for funding to renovate and improve the historic NY State owned Canal Terminal and Dock area administered by the New York State Thruway Authority in the Village of Cleveland; to rebuild its status as a vital village center of activity, improving access to Oneida lake for tourists and village residents alike and to dedicate the site as a permanent village park and recreation area.

Background:

Cleveland was incorporated as a village in 1857, largely because of the deep water dock built at the mouth of Black Creek now known as the New York State Canal Terminal and Dock area. Cleveland glass, briefly regarded as the finest in the world, was manufactured at three glass factories in Cleveland and was shipped on barges via the canal system to a rapidly growing nation. A massive tannery produced fine leather products across from the dock and a shoe factory supplied boots and shoes from right next door. Lumber, glass, leather goods, and delicious fish were the products of an industrious and rapidly growing village, all due to the easy access to the rest of the state through the Erie Canal.

The state of New York acquired the land in 1916 to use as a dock and fueling station. The last major renovations completed by the state were in the late 1930’s (though the date is not certain from village records) Due to the quality of the work, most of what was built still remains.

Currently, the terminal is the only deep water dock on the entire 27 miles of Oneida lake’s northern shore. The dock area has been in serious disrepair for a number of years and is now in danger of a total collapse due to the deterioration of the waterfront structures, including the two breakwater walls that had protected it for over 60 years.

Justification for request:

Without assistance the Village of Cleveland will be unable to restore this vital area of the Village. Nature will take its course and the dock area will crumble into the lake creating an eyesore and a danger to the public.

A relatively small investment of grant funding through the Environmental Bond Act will initiate a cooperative effort of the resources available from New York State, Oswego County, the Town of Constantia and our own Village DPW to revitalize this historic recreational access to Oneida Lake.

The renovations we propose are to existing structures. Additional proposed facilities are as outlined for Cleveland in the New York State Canal Recreationway plan, and the Central New York Canal Plan, developed by the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, parts of which we have enclosed.

These renovations will enhance our tourist trade and stimulate investment in recreation and tourist oriented businesses. Dock area renovations will also have a positive impact on existing businesses and local property values.

Portions of the NYS Environmental Bond Act are designed to restore historic areas and enhance public access to waterfronts. In Cleveland, these renovations will not only achieve that end, but will help to revitalize the economic base of our community by enhancing recreational tourism. Tourism is the fastest growing segment of our County’s economy. The importance of recreational and tourist based commerce is reflected in the fact that Oswego County has the second highest unemployment rate in New York State and at the same time the highest sales of out-of-state fishing licenses in the state.

Proposed Improvements:

• Replace deteriorated sea-walls, concrete breakwaters with new breakwater structures.
• Repair and replace concrete pier structure and necessary wood pilings.
• Paint and refurbish existing navigation lights and buoys.
• Resurface and parking area and entrance from State Route 49.
• Install a perimeter fence and landscape around around parking area.
• Install a public dock at the south end of the pier area to increase public fishing access, public docking space and increase access to the village of Cleveland via the lake.
• Construct a facility to include public restrooms, showers, freshwater hookup and a pump-out station for boat traffic septage (all as outlined in the Central New York Canal Plan.)
• Dedicate the area as a State or Village Waterfront Park and Historic Site.

The Village of Cleveland proposes to maintain this new facility through a lease with New York State or would be willing to purchase this area from the State as a permanent village park to be owned and operated by the village of Cleveland.

Preliminary cost estimates were provided by John P. Donohue, PE of Barton & Laguidice, PC (Syracuse, NY). Further drawings and estimates are in progress and will be available as needed if this proposal passes through preliminary criteria for funding.

Conclusion:

The village of Cleveland is the only community on the north shore of Oneida Lake that provides municipal sewer and water services to 100% of its residents. Unfortunately, with our dock area deteriorating, encouraging businesses to grow and/or invest here has been difficult. This Waterfront Park Proposal for the Canal Terminal and Dock builds upon the unique historic and locational opportunities afforded by the New York canal system. It will foster commercial revitalization and business growth, as well as the physical revitalization of the project area. It will also help to insure that the village of Cleveland will remain economically viable in order to sustain and grow its infrastructure and regional leadership in protecting the water environment as we enter the next century.

This Project should be eligible for funding under several areas in the Environmental Bond Act in the "Clean Water Projects" section:

a) Local Park, Historic Preservation and Heritage Area Preservation Projects

b) Open Space Projects

c) State Park Projects

The section of the Bond Act chosen will be based on State Representatives decisions to create a State Park or to deed the property to the Village of Cleveland.

Village of Cleveland, New York
Incorporated 1857
Municipal Sewers: Installed 1991
Municipal Water: Installed 1897 (Purchased by Village in 1930's)
Water System Last Upgraded 1978

Special Thanks To: Richard Griesmyer for
use of his photographs and old postcards

Contact Information:
Village of Cleveland
P.O. Box A
Cleveland, NY 13042

Phone: (315) 675-8611
Fax: (315) 675-3986

App's Boat Livery at the State Dock Circa 1920's

The Tug Boat in Dock

A printed postcard of the Cleveland Terminal taken from the original breakwall.
The tall white building is the Cleveland Light house. (Circa 1930)

All that remains of the breakwall

January 1997 – The dock is a popular meeting place and point of embarkation
during Cleveland’s busy ice fishing season.

The thriving boat livery around 1945

The run down pier on a drab December day

1937 Membership to the Cleveland Boat Club