NY Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Rev. Chloe Smith, Hispanic Community Council of Chautauqua County director Max Martin, YWCA executive Director Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, and Jamestown Councilwoman Maria Jones.

JAMESTOWN – Dozens of community members stopped by the YWCA of Jamestown Thursday to take part in the YWCA Jamestown’s “Stand Against Racism” Pledge Signing event.

According to YWCA executive director Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, the event was one of many held by YWCAs across the country to  Stand Against Racism from April 25-28.

“The YWCA’s mission includes eliminating racism. It’s the fist part of our mission. So we were happy to come together today as part of the YWCA USA’s ‘Stand Against Racism’ to encourage this community to include all and to realize that we are one community and to eliminate racism,” Chiarot Phelps said.

The event also served as the kickoff to the re-start of YWCA’s Social Justice Committee, which will meet on the third Wednesday of each month, starting in May.

“Part of today’s mission was to kick off our Social Justice Committee and that will be restarting every third Wednesday of the month. So May 15 will be our first meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the YWCA, 430 North Main Street,” Chiarot Phelps said. “It’s open to the public. We believe that eliminating racism is a huge part of our community and we want to make sure that the community members who are engaged and excited to do that are included.”

Joining Phelps in speaking at the event were several local officials, including Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Hispanic Community Council chair Max Martin, Rev. Chloe Smith, and city councilwoman Maria Jones, who said that while the current national climate might make us think there are major problems to making racial justice a reality, ground is being gained locally in the Jamestown area.

“The city of Jamestown is like a lot of cities in America. We thought that we had gotten so far ahead with racism, but now, recently, we’ve seen all the negative things that the news can give to us. But you know what? There’s been a lot of work, and a lot of caring, and a lot of improvement in this area. Don’t be jaded by the news all the time and bout how bad things are. Things are good, they can be good, and I believe they can be better in the city if all of us here – everybody in this room – takes part in what the YWCA is trying to do here,” Jones said.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the YWCA and its its mission, as well as how to become a part of the Social Justice Committee can visit YWCAOfJamestown.com.

The Jamestown Planning Commission and staff during the Oct. 9 Gateway Lofts public hearing.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Planning Commission is meeting Tuesday in city hall and will continue its review of site plans for the proposed Gateway Lofts project.

The meeting comes just one week after a public hearing was held focusing on the project and with more than 80 people in attendance.

The Planning Commission meeting is required to review site plans for the $31 million project and act on any permits needed to allow the project to move forward.

The Gateway Lofts project is an effort by Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL), Community Helping Hands and the YWCA of Jamestown to provide 80 single and multi-family housing units in the upper floors of the Gateway Center on Water St.

Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options for low income residents, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units would be administered by STEL and designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder – with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

The Gateway Center is the former Chautauqua Hardware furniture manufacturing company and part of the project would also include environmental remediation. It currently houses several service agencies including the Mental Health Association, Community Helping Hands and the St. Susan Center – which developers and supporter say make it an ideal location for the development project.

During last week’s hearing several questions from the public were asked about the project, including safety and environmental concerns as well as the large price tag associated with renovating the building.

Representatives for the project offered their responses during the hearing and now it’s up to the planning commission to determine if the project should proceed or if other issues still need to be addressed.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

Tuesday’s planning commission meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. on the 4^th floor of city hall in the mayors conference room and is open to the public.

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JAMESTOWN – More than 80 people showed up Tuesday night for the Jamestown Planning Commission’s public hearing on the proposed Gateway Lofts housing development.

At the start of the two-hour hearing, representatives from Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) went over the updated details of the project proposed for the Gateway Center on Water Street in Jamestown, which is the site of the former Chautauqua Hardware building.

Attorney Steven Ricca of Bond, Schoeneck & King and representing Southern Tier Environments for Living shows updated site plans for the proposed Gateway Lofts project during the Oct. 9 public hearing in the Jamestown City Council Chambers.

The proposal project is now an estimated $31 million with a total of 80 housing units. Of these units, 39 unites on the 2nd floor would offer affordable housing options by Community Helping Hands, 16 units on the 3rd floor would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA of Jamestown, and 25 units on the 4th floor administered by STEL would be designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

STEL attorney Steven Ricca with the law form Bond, Schoeneck and King also announced that after the Planning Commission expressed some concerns over the project during its September meeting, the developers are now committed to purchasing two additional adjacent properties to create more green space opportunity for residents, especially children, who would be living in the development. They also said that they would increase the number of parking spaces to bring the project closer in compliance with city code.

The group also re-emphasized why the location was selected, saying the Gateway Center project is in a centrally located area where several other social service organizations are based – including Community Helping Hands, Love Inc., BOCES, the Mental Health Association, and St. Susan’s Soup Kitchen.

“The whole point of leveraging all the community organizations and resources is to be efficient and make the best use of taxpayer dollars – which in this case would be limited to state and federal dollars – and to leverage centers of critical mass as is encouraged in the 1998 city comprehensive plan,” Ricca said.

As for the public comment, 27 different people offered comments related to support or concerns for the project, as well as asking questions focusing on issues related to the site plans and environmental review, as well as general questions about the need and cost for the project.

“My vision for this program is to have single parents and families come out of the third floor, have people on the second floor and the fourth floor become citizens of the city that raise their children to not be in the same place that they are in. My vision for this program is to make this a reality for all of us and I know that we all want that,” said YWCA Executive Director Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps.

Andrew O’Brien, who had served on the county’s Opioid Addiction Task Force, voiced his support for the Gateway Lofts project during the Oct. 9 public hearing.

Andrew O’Brien, who had worked at UPMC Chautauqua prior to retiring and also served on the county’s Opioid Addiction Task Force.

“A couple years ago the county’s task force on opioid addiction visited a model program in Canandaigua similar to this and shared details of the transitional housing program being developed at UPMC Chautauqua and the executive director of that program asked what are you going to do about permanent supportive housing, rather than just transitional housing. He was emphasizing that if you’re going to have a comprehensive approach, particular to mental health problems and substance abuse problems including the opioid epidemic, you need to have the right levels of care in place and not just bits of the system to help resolve the issues,” O’Brien said. “So I need to point out today that is still one of the more substantial needs that we have in Chautauqua County and in Jamestown.”

“Safe, quality, affordable housing and all the supports that are needed to empower those living in those housing are the most basic determinants of public health,” explained County Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler. “Gateway lofts project provides an incredible opportunity to improve the overall physical and mental health of our community. ”

City resident and at large councilman Andrew Liuzzo had some concerns for the proposed project related to both the cost as well as the health hazards that could come from housing people in a building previously used for manufacturing.

“Is this funding secured? Because if it’s not, then what are we talking about? If it is, is this the best place to put $34 million?”asked city resident and at large councilman Andrew Liuzzo. who was also concerned with the amount of toxic chemical residue that could still be in the building because it was once a manufacturing plant. “If this comes from a Brownfield grant, then why don’t you take something like the building on Harrison and Willard that’s already half fallen down? Knock that down and building something new. I’m not saying that this is not a good intended project but I think there’s other ways to do this, especially if the money’s not there.”

“We have to decide where are we going to go and what direction are we going to lead the people of Jamestown? Are we going to lead people back to work or is this going to be the beginning of more big government, more social services in the city of Jamestown that has been cultivated by the present administration for the past 17 years?” asked city resident Anthony Toda, adding, “Once the cost of this rehab goes through, what’s going to sustain the ongoing costs of this operation?”

In all a total of 14 different questions were asked and the developers did their best to address each one, explaining that if the project hadn’t been proposed for the current location, it’s unlikely the brownfield site would see any environmental remediation. Developers said the project would be covered primarily through state and federal funding and tax credits that it wouldn’t be able to receive if it were proposed elsewhere.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

The city planning commission and staff

Planning Commission Chair Greg Rabb told WRFA after the hearing was over that he was impressed with the turnout.

“I’m always heartened when I see this many people. Even if I don’t agree with people, I’m always happy to see this many people turn out, especially if they are residents from the city. I welcome our friends from outside of the city, but as soon as somebody tells me they live in this city I pay particular attention,” Rabb said “And it was a beautiful day. I think there were record-breaking temperatures today, so for folks to give up their evening to come and talk to us makes me feel good because that means a lot of people in Jamestown care about what our next steps are.”

Rabb said that the planning commission will likely consider the revised site plans for the loft project when it holds its monthly meeting next Tuesday at 4 p.m. in City Hall.

A conceptual drawing of Gateway Lofts project at the Gateway Center in Jamestown

The hearing was agreed to following the Sept. 18 Planning Commission meeting, when members felt more details of the project need to be provided and all concerns heard before any commission action takes place.

The development is described as a multifamily, affordable housing project that would include 70 housing units over three stories of the Gateway Center building, which was formerly the long-time home of the now closed Chautauqua Hardware manufacturing business and currently houses several local organizations, including St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, Love Inc., and the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County.

Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units administered by STEL would be designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

The planning commission is required to review and approve planning documents for the project to make sure it is not in violation of any city codes or law.

If the project is found to violate city code, it would likely have to go before the zoning board for its approval.

The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the city council chambers. No action by the commission will take place that night, though it is scheduled to meet the following week on Oct. 16.

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JAMESTOWN – The proposed Gateway Lofts project at the Gateway Center building on Water Street was the focus of discussion during Thursday’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission meeting.

The Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission during its Aug. 16, 2018 meeting.

Representatives from the law firms representing the two main developers of the project – Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) and Community Helping Hands – went over the specific details of the plan. Representatives of STEL, Community Helping Hands, and the YWCA of Jamestown were also on hand to provide information and answer questions.

• GATEWAY LOFTS POWER POINT PRESENTATION

Those on hand representing the project developers were STEL Development Director Steven Ald, Community Helping Hands Executive Director Tami Berg, YWCA executive director Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, and attorneys Steven Ricca with Bond, Schoeneck & King and Matt Mazgaj from Phillips Lytle.

At the start of the presentation, Ricca explained why the Gateway Center was selected.

“This particular site selection was based on a complex algorithm of a number of factors – acreage, zoning, support services, access to transportation, and the like. So we didn’t take site selection here lightly at all,” Ricca said.

The development proposal, situated on the 5.8 acre Gateway Center location, is described as a multifamily affordable housing project that would include 70 housing units. Of these units, 39 would offer affordable housing options, 16 would go to single-parent families assisted by the YWCA, and 25 units administered by STEL would be designated for non-violent individuals who are homeless and have a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder with a history of criminal offending or are at risk of offending.

Attorney Steven Ricca with Bond, Schoeneck & King presents to the city Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission.

Ricca also said that the project will address a concerned outlined in the city’s recent poverty reduction study released in 2017.

“Housing is problematic for low-income residents as the cost of renting is very high and quality, affordable housing is scarce,” Ricca said. “The study also focused on a key concern that folks weren’t maintaining their properties and that there were delinquent properties. I’m aware of the fact that you have affordable housing developments in this city that you are aware of and are not very happy about. One thing I will say, however, is that this is not a situation where STEL will develop the property and then walk away. STEL will manage the property.”

The project still needs to undergo several hurdles, including a review by the city Planning Commission in September as well as securing funding for a total project cost of $34 million. The cost would be covered through a combination of state and federal tax credits that can be sold to investors, along with community investment funds and grants.

The project partners have already received a $970,000 state grant to develop the design.

The $34 million price tag is due to abatement issues that would need to be addressed in the current building, which is the former Chautauqua Hardware building built in the late 19^th century and which currently houses several nonprofit service operations including St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, a Daycare facility, and the Mental Health Association – among others.  Developers say the presence of those agencies on-site is one of the key reasons why the location was selected for the proposed project.

No zoning waivers would be needed because the location is already in an area of the city zoned for multi residential use.

Artist’s rendering of the Gateway Lofts project upon completion.

In all, the commission members spent an hour-and-a-half hearing details about the project and asking questions as well as raising concerns.

Commission Co-Chair Greg Rabb – who also chairs the city Planning Commission – explained why it was important for the group to appear before the Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission.

“If this project goes forward, it’s a big project, and it has more than just an effect on the immediate area. I think it has an effect on the entire community and that’s one of the reasons why this commission exists. We are part of the city of Jamestown and appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, so our goal here – with representatives from the public sector and the private sector and from inside the city and outside the city – to look at projects from a much bigger perspective than the narrow perspective which we’ll be taking from the planning commission. So we want to have this discussion because I knew this process was percolating and had a couple of questions and concerns,” Rabb said.

One of Rabb’s questions and concerns focused on the project being located in a food desert area of the city where fresh food wasn’t readily available.  Another concern was that the city currently has a significant amount of housing stock that could be used to help provide homes for the individuals this project is aimed at, while also noting that this project would concentrate a large number of people into a single area instead of working to integrate them into the community. Rabb also noted that the developers need to reach out to members of the city council and the Chautauqua County legislator who represents that area so they can be aware of the details of the project and share with constituents who will likely have questions.

The officials with the project responded to Rabb’s concerns about access to healthy food by explaining transportation would be made available through CARTS to help residents get back and forth to nearby supermarkets and the Jamestown Public Market’s mobile food market program could also help with providing healthier food options on site. They also noted that the concentration vs. integration issue was open to debate, considering there currently isn’t a lot of options for affordable and quality apartment housing in the city.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including: Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

The project will likely be looked at further during the Sept. 18 meeting of the city planning commission.

Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps

JAMESTOWN – The YWCA of Jamestown has a new executive director.

The organization announced Thursday that the board has appointed Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps as the new ED. She will replace longtime director Beth Oakes, who now serves as ED of the Child Advocacy Program.

Phelps most recently served as the Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Tom Reed.

Phelps is a member of the Greater Jamestown AM Rotary Club and serves on the Jamestown Young Professionals and Jamestown Center City Development Corporation boards.

The YWCA of Jamestown is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

For more information on the organization, visit YWCAofJamestown.com.

They are Monika Alch, Arts/Culture; Dr. Jacqueline Crisman, Science/Technology; Shane Hawkins, Unsung Hero; Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, Leader of the Future; and Amanda Gesing, Education/Training/Professional Development.

They will be recognized on Tuesday, June 16, at Moonbrook Country Club. Reservations can be made by calling 488-2237. The RSVP deadline is June 10.