The study concluded that, overall, the redevelopment strategy for the NRG Power Plant would have the greatest benefits if it allowed the community to access workforce development opportunities, generated tax revenue, included a clean energy component, supported public access to the waterfront, and aided in comprehensive economic development for the region.

The study also includes recommendations of immediate next steps that the City of Dunkirk and Chautauqua County should advance in order to better understand site/building constraints and future opportunities, to position the site for funding to facilitate redevelopment. These include: continuing to collaborate with NRG Energy; pursuing a Build-Ready Program Application through NYSERDA; conducting additional environmental investigations; investigating interconnection costs; completing energy modeling; collaborating with the NYS Climate Justice Working Group; and performing site marketing and promotion.

The NRG Power Plant operated from the 1950s until 2015. It was officially mothballed in 2016, with the decommissioning process beginning in 2020. The NRG Power Plant was an economic engine in the City of Dunkirk, contributing to approximately 40 percent of the City’s tax base and providing close to 150 well-paying jobs at its peak.

The study was funded by a $60,000 Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant with local matching funds from the City of Dunkirk, the County IDA, and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

City Department of Public Works Director Jeff Lehman (standing) goes over details with the Jamestown City Council of the temporary way-finding signs that will be installed in the city later this summer as the city awaits the completion of a final way-finding plan.

JAMESTOWN – Temporary way-finding signs will be put up around the city in the coming weeks as city officials await the completion of a $500,000 permanent way-finding plan.

On Monday night department of public works director Jeff Lehman presented the council with details of the temporary way-finding signs that will be placed throughout the city in the coming weeks in advance of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and opening of the National Comedy Center (NCC).

The city has received a state grant of $400,000 to pay for permanent way-finding signage around the city to assist visitors with parking and finding various destinations.  The Gebbie Foundation has provided a grant to cover the remaining $100,000 in local costs. However, the consultant hired to complete the plan, Bergmann Associates, is still working on finalizing the way-finding plan and it won’t be ready until after this summer.

As a result of the plan not being completed by the end of July, the Gebbie Foundation has stepped in to pay for and post temporary signage for visitors this summer.

In April, city Development Director Vince DeJoy told the city’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission that officials were hoping to have the Bergmann plan completed and implemented before the Aug. 1 opening of the NCC. However, NCC officials requested changes in downtown traffic patterns – including making W. Second Street between Washington and Lafayette Streets Two-Way, as well as allowing for left hand turns onto Second and Third Street from the northbound lane of Washington Street.

DeJoy said the state Department of Transportation would have to review and sign-off on any such changes because Washington Street is considered part of Route 60 – a state designated highway. That means the plan would be put on hold to await the state input.

A map showing proposed locations for wayfinding signage in Downtown Jamestown.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission met Thursday morning for its monthly meeting and got an update on the city’s effort to address anticipated traffic congestion in the wake of the opening of the National Comedy Center this summer.

City Development Director Vince DeJoy explained to commission members that the city is working with Bergmann Associates of Rochester to develop a way-finding program for both motorists and pedestrians as they navigate through downtown Jamestown.

DeJoy said the funding for the project is provided by a $400,000 state grant and a $100,000 match from the local Gebbie Foundation.

City Development Director Vince DeJoy provides an update on the Jamestown’s way finding plan during the April 19, 2018 meeting of the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission.

DeJoy said the primary focus of the plan is to use signage in strategic locations to lead visitors toward downtown public parking and various attractions – including the NCC, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, the Robert H. Jackson Center and more.

“The basis for this grant is congestion mitigation. So what DOT is looking for is a plan that – when people are coming to Jamestown, visitors are coming or even people who live here – how do we get them from not continuously driving around and looking for parking spaces,” DeJoy said. “There’s two strategies that we are going to be utilizing that we hope will help direct visitors and locals to the parking and to the attractions.”

DeJoy said officials were hoping to have the plan completed and implemented before the Aug. 1 opening of the NCC, but officials with the comedy center have recently requested changes in downtown traffic patterns – including making W. Second Street between Washington and Lafayette Streets Two-Way, as well as allowing for left hand turns onto Second and Third Street from the northbound lane of Washington Street.

DeJoy said the state Department of Transportation would have to review and sign-off on any such changes because Washington Street is considered part of Route 60 – a state designated highway.

“The city doesn’t have the authority to do that. It’s coming off a state highway – Washington Street – and there are some challenges that need to be overcome,” DeJoy said.

He said a meeting with state DOT officials is in the works and they hope to address the issue soon.