Construction work on a new patio for the James Prendergast Library (June 1, 2023)

Construction is underway for a new patio leading to the entrance of the James Prendergast Library.

Community Outreach and Programming Manager Jennifer Champ said the project is being funded entirely with grants including $214,983 in New York State Public Library construction funds. Locally, the Lenna Foundation donated $37,200 and the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation granted $37,165 toward the project.

Champ said construction started on the patio and walkway last week, “It’s an outdoor community space. It’s going to have built-in benches, a trash receptacle, there’s lighting which was already installed last year – you can see that out there, and we have a new bike rack. So, it really is this community outdoor space. We’re going to use it for programs and events.”

Champ said the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation also donated a $4,000 grant for gardens around the patio.

She said they’re working with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Chautauqua County Master Gardeners on that part of the project, “I love gardening but they’re experts and they knew exactly what we needed, especially for the light and the sun and the soil. And, you know, we have to worry about salt and stuff during the wintertime of course. So, we’re going to have a beautiful native plant garden. And, next year we’re going to hopefully apply for more funding and we will expand the garden all the way around to the front of the library.”

Champ said that future expansion would include signs with information about the native plants.

She added that the library remains open during construction.

A dedication of the patio will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 24 as part of the Library’s Second Annual Block Party.

Chautauqua County Land Bank Executive Director Gina Paradis said land banks were created by New York State in 2012 as a way to deal with vacant and abandoned properties following the 2008 mortgage crisis, “And they saw the success that other states were having with land banks, primarily in Michigan and Ohio. And so they worked with some people to really understand land banking and how those tools could work and decided to put together the legislation to create the authority for land banks to be created in taxing jurisdictions throughout the state.”

Over the last decade, land banks in the state have

– Acquired over 5,000 problem properties
– Demolished 1,567 vacant structures
– Returned 3,231 properties to productive use
– Generated more than $300 million in private investment
– And returned $135 million in assessed value to local tax rolls

Paradis said of those figures, the Chautauqua County Land Bank has acquired 362 properties, demolished 172 structures, and returned $8.5 million to the tax rolls.

She said the pandemic hurt the land bank’s ability to acquire properties, as the county’s tax auction was on hiatus from January 2020 until July 2022, “We really went a couple of years with no inventory to sell and still plenty of demos to do. But we ended up in that real tough situation where we had little inventory to create revenue and our grand funding was twilighting and we were looking at a gap in funding for that period.”

Paradis said funding assistance by the Sheldon Foundation as well as revenues from previous years helped bridge the gap. She said mortgage crisis settlement monies initially funded land banks in the state, but that funding has been totally expended. Paradis said the proposed state budget includes a line item for Land Banks that she’s hopeful will get passed.

In November 2022, Jamestown City Council approved allocating $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Chautauqua County Land Bank. Paradis said that contract is still in the review process.

Overland Trail in Chautauqua County

The Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation has received a grant to work on ways of bringing trail groups together.

The $25,000 grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation will explore the feasibility of establishing a “Friends of Chautauqua County Greenways Group.” This effort will bring together various trails organizations and determine how best they can work together as a Friends group to provide mutual support and seek funding together.

Chautauqua County has also set aside $250,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for trail maintenance and upgrades. The County plans to purchase new trail maintenance equipment to improve efficiency, and repair bridges on the Overland Trails, among other projects. Funding was also allocated for various trail projects, including major improvements to the Westside Overland Trail in Chautauqua Gorge and Mount Pleasant State Forests, the installation of trailhead kiosks on the Overland Trails and the Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails, new trail signs on the Overland Trails, and trail maintenance projects on the Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails.

County Parks Commission member Jacob Bodway said the promise of a comprehensive “Friends Group” will help break down the silos that have made it difficult for communication and county-wide planning, “The ‘Friends Group’ will help get everyone on the same page and will enable us to seek larger grant dollars for future trail projects. This moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to upgrade and expand the county’s greenspaces and to market the county as a regional leader in outdoor recreation.”

The County Planning Department has also been working in partnership with the Town of Westfield to develop the Welch Trail, which will connect downtown Westfield to Chautauqua Creek via a mile-long loop trail. The project, funded through a grant from the New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation, is expected to be completed this spring. The Department has also been working to secure easements for a portion of trail that would connect Barcelona Harbor to the Chautauqua Institution, with additional funding from OPRHP.

For more information on Chautauqua County’s ongoing trail development projects and access to the County Greenway Plan, visit planningchautauqua.com/planning/trails/.

Noah Goodling

Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling is stepping down this week.

City Council member and Fenton History Center Board Member Marie Carrubba told City Council on Monday that Goodling has taken another job within Chautauqua County, “It was with deep regret that the board accepted his resignation about a month ago but this is his last week and they’ll be holding an open house for him on Friday to acknowledge his accomplishments over the past four years. He’s really turned the Fenton around and got it in a much better financial position. And he was very dedicated, very committed, and put a lot of time and energy into the Fenton.”

Goodling said he has taken a position as Project Director for the Capacity Lab, “Which is a brand new initiative. It’s being conducted by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the United Ways from the north and south part of the county, the Sheldon Foundation, and the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation. And basically it’s an initiative to strengthen the non-profit sector across Chautauqua County.”

Goodling said one of the projects he’s most proud of following his four years at the Fenton include making the center more accessible, “Opening up the ADA accessible entry at the end of 2019, that was a huge improvement, I think, to let people know that anybody no matter what your capacity to walk or move is… if you want to come see our programs or see our seasonal exhibits we’re open to you.”

He added the opening of the LGBTQ+ exhibit earlier this year was a major step forward in representing that community’s voice and including them as part of the center’s historical archives.

Jamestown City Council

According to the staff report in the pre-file for tonight’s meeting, the new software is needed due to State requirements that all fire departments meet national reporting standards as set forth by the United States Fire Administration. The current software used by the Jamestown Fire Department does not meet these standards.

Council also will review a resolution to accept a $2,500 dollar grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation to toward the Broadband Feasibility Study being conducted by the Board of Public Utilities.

And as pandemic restrictions have lifted, more special event permit applications are coming before the Council’s Public Safety Committee including one for a Fireworks Display at the conclusion of the Tarp Skunks’ game on Friday, July 2nd, a block party for the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Wednesday, July 21st, and a Babe Ruth World Series Parade on Friday, August 13th.

City Council committee meetings start at 7pm, followed by the work session in the third floor conference room of City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Town of Chautauqua Mobitrac assists the Town of Ellery with the Shore Acres Canal Clean-up Project (Source: Alliance).

MAYVILLE – (MEDIA RELEASE) – At the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance’s May Annual Meeting, Interim Executive Director Vince Horrigan indicated that more can be accomplished regarding near-shore and shoreline clean-up if organizations work together and unify efforts. Over the past month, municipalities and lake organizations have been collaborating with each other to get an early start on near-shore and shoreline clean-up through the coordinated removal of decaying macrophytes and debris.

Over the past month, two projects have taken place in two different municipalities that involved the removal of debris jams, which were causing impairments to navigation, water movement, aesthetics, and fish passage.

The Vukote Canal Clean-up Project was executed on May 13 and involved collaboration among the Alliance, Town of Busti, and Town of Chautauqua. The Town of Chautauqua provided a Mobitrac, which is an amphibious tracked machine with an 8-foot-wide rake that is capable of navigating in tight spaces such as canals. This machine removed a debris blockage from the canal and offloaded the material onto dump trucks owned by the Town of Busti for disposal. In total, work by the Town of Busti Highway Department and Town of Chautauqua Mobitrac removed 14 truckloads of debris from the canal, which provided improved aesthetics, water flow, navigation, and fish passage.

The Shore Acres Canal Clean-up Project was completed on May 28 and involved collaboration among the Alliance, Town of Ellery, and Town of Chautauqua. The Town of Chautauqua provided a Mobitrac to gather and remove the debris from the canal, which was trucked away by the Town of Ellery. This project resulted in the removal of 3 truckloads of debris from the canal, which restored navigation, water flow, aesthetics, and fish passage.

“These two projects are great examples of how unity of effort can produce responsive and effective results,” the Alliance stated.

Over the past week, the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA) has been out on the lake performing pre-season shoreline clean-up. These efforts have been targeted at removing nuisance accumulations of decaying debris, which if left unchecked would have contributed excess nutrients into Chautauqua Lake, along with large debris that can pose risks to navigation and safety. Over the past week, the CLA has removed 8 truckloads of shoreline debris.

Starting in July, the CLA and the Town of Chautauqua will begin their inaugural joint near-shore and shoreline clean-up operations program, which aims to increase efficiency and responsiveness to near-shore and shoreline conditions.

The Alliance applauds the collaborative efforts of these member organizations whose work has led to the removal of 25 truckloads of shoreline debris from Chautauqua Lake thus far through a combined approach of near-shore and shoreline maintenance operations. These services provided by the CLA, Town of Chautauqua, Town of Busti, and Town of Ellery not only reduce in-lake nutrient loading by removing macrophytes prior to their decomposition but also promote water movement, improved recreation, and a more aesthetically appealing shoreline environment. Funding for these projects was provided in-part through grants from the Alliance in partnership with the Chautauqua Region Community, Ralph C. Sheldon, and Lenna Foundations.

On Monday a coalition of Chautauqua County foundations and funders announced the creation of the Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund: Covid 19, which has been established through the generous contributions from philanthropic and business partners.

During a conference call on Monday afternoon, organizers said the fund will be managed in partnership with the local United Ways (Northern and Southern Chautauqua County), local Community Foundations (Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation).

Officials say the Crisis Response Fund serves as a coordinated response to pool resources to meet the immediate needs the community and to support long-term needs that are not yet known.

The funds initial investors are Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Cummins Foundation, Holmberg Foundation, Lenna Foundation, Nestle Purina Pet Care, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Foundation, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, and United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

In under a week pledges totaling more than $750,000 have already been secured. The public is now invited to contribute by visiting the webpages of the local United Ways or community foundations and going to the sections dedicated to the COVID-19 response.

“This truly is a county-wide effort as we come together to assist organizations working to serve the rapidly changing needs of our community,” said Amy Rohler, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County executive director. “This fund is a coordinated response to meet both the emergency, immediate need of today, and the intermediate to long-term needs that are not yet known.”

Grants will only be made to 501c3 organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution (schools, faith-based organizations and other public entities). And while the Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, officials say it is funding organizations that have experience and history of providing people and families with services and support.

For more information on how to help grow the fund or learn more about how a local group can benefit, call the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County at 483-1561 or visit UWaySCC.org/Chautauqua-County-COVID-19-response.

The Alliance has partnered with several local foundations and county government to offer local funding assistance opportunities to its members via a new local grant application process to identify, prioritize, and fund projects and programs aimed at protecting and improving water quality on Chautauqua Lake and in its watershed.

The alliance received a total of $600,000 from the Lenna Foundation, Sheldon Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and the Gebbie Foundation to fund 15 member-led projects in the Lake and Watershed.

The funding opportunity was announced last July and application were due by mid September. The final projects have now been reviewed and are awaiting final approval from the alliance board.

The number of projects funded this year increased from 8 in 2019 to 15, and the total amount of funding awarded increased from $300,000 in 2019 to $600,000 in 2020.

A complete list of projects and funding allocations will be posted at ChautauquaAlliance.org pending final approval.

• RELATED: ARTS ON FIRE PREVIEW INTERVIEW WITH PAULA POUNDSTONE

A block party is free and open to the public between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Beer, wine, soda, water and concessions will be on sale throughout the event. Siri Thai, 3C’s Catering and Southern Tier Brewing Company will be vending. Live music will be performed on an outdoor stage by members of Porcelain Bus Drivers. Free tours of the newly renovated facilities will be given at 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. Patrons are asked to meet under the Reg Lenna awning for tours. The block party will be held on 3rd Street between Pine and Spring Streets.

At 8 p.m., renowned stand-up comedian Paula Poundstone brings her humor and wit to the Reg Lenna Theater stage for a night of laughs.The frequent panelist of NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me last performed at The Reg in 2012 as part of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and is a National Comedy Center Advisory Board Member. Tickets for the performance start at $25. An Evening with Paula Poundstone is sponsored by Comfort Inn of Jamestown.

The renovation of Reg Lenna Center for The Arts included complete overhauls of seven spaces including lobby-concessions-box office, 3rd on 3rd Gallery, Bill’s Place – home of the 1878 Buffalo Bill Billboard, WRFA offices and studios, administrative offices, a Pre-Function space and library and a Media Arts Studio.

$1.5 million in funds were secured through Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative for the project. Local support included $1.5 million from Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, $900,000 from the Gebbie Foundation; and $850,000 from the Lenna Foundation. The final funding gap of $216,469 was awarded by Chautauqua Region Community Foundation last May in its largest single grant in its history.

Since the renovations have been completed, The Reg has seen an increase in rentals throughout the facility including private parties, meetings of non-profit organizations and business groups and more. All available spaces, including the Reg Lenna Theater were rented last May for Conduit Ministries’ (Re)Treat 2019: In This Together weekend of events.

Paula Poundstone

The Media Arts Studio is now the home of several live series of events which are free and open to the public. These include Bill Ward’s Back Room Radio Hour and WRFA’s Community Matters LIVE! (featuring a Jamestown Mayoral Candidate debate October 17 and a Meet The Candidates event with city council candidates  on October 24) and Arts On Fire LIVE! (An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe featuring storyteller Paul Leone is scheduled for October 25.)

Additionally, several Downtown Revitalization Initiative funded events have been presented on The Reg Theater stage this year including The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing the music of Queen, a concert from national touring band Guster and Emmanuel Baptist Church’s 100th Anniversary concert celebration featuring The Walls Group.

For information on rentals, reservations and ticketing for all events, please visit reglenna.com or call 716.484.7070. Reg Lenna Center for The Arts is located at 116 E. 3rd St. in Jamestown.

That’s according to the Jamestown Post-Journal, which says town officials made their decision Monday night.

The decision was made after it was learned the state DEC would not allow the town to treat any of its own lake waters with herbicide because they were treated last year and state law doesn’t allow herbicide use in the same area for two consecutive years.

The town will give $10,000 from its budget toward the village of Lakewood. Another $10,000 would be allocated to the Chautauqua Lake Association, the Chautauqua Lake Partnership, and to help cover membership fees for the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance.

The board also discussed a $10,000 grant the town was tentatively awarded from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation through the alliance. Because the town won’t be able to use herbicides – which that money was initially earmarked for – officials instead said they wanted to give it to Celoron.

Officials added that the alliance also has the option to simply pull some of the grant money from the town and give it directly to the villages instead.

The villages of Celoron and Lakewood will each hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the matter while the alliance will have its monthly meeting on Thursday.