Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist addresses Jamestown City Council (October 17, 2022)

Construction on Washington Street will not be completed this season.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said the city received notice from New York State on the status of the project, “And, as a response to that, Jeff (Lehman) and his team have formally put the state on notice for the current state of the road, the curbs, and other issues. We have sent them written notification of defect. We’ve asked them to take care of those items because there’s going to be a huge issue with not only plowing but mobility and access and others to the various areas.”

Public Works Director Jeff Lehman said he heard from state they’re working with their contractor to “better the situation.” He expressed concern that the state of the street will be hard on city plows.

Washington Street is a state road with the state responsible for its maintenance.

In regards to a different project on Washington Street, Sundquist said the foundation is in place for the expansion of the former Hartley Buick building that will be the new Central Garage for the city. He said they anticipate that project will be done in Summer 2023.

The project was last estimated to cost $2.1 million, which Sundquist said in June 2021, is a savings of $1.9 million over the original cost estimates.

NYS Dept. of Transportation to Begin Construction on Washington Street and Fairmount Avenue

New York State will be starting a $4.7 million road construction project in Jamestown.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the project will rehabilitate State Route 430/Washington Street, from Second Street to Fluvanna Avenue, and State Route 394/Fairmount Avenue, from McDaniel Avenue to Fairmount Avenue/Sixth Street.

Dominguez said, “This project will certainly contribute to the continued revitalization of Jamestown and will provide greater mobility for the pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in the downtown area.”

The project, which is scheduled to be completed by summer of 2023, will implement a road diet along Washington Street which will include converting four-lanes to three-lanes of traffic on Washington Street from Fluvanna Avenue to West Second Street. This will allow for the installation of a two-way left-turn lane. New bicycle lanes, separated by a buffer from vehicular traffic, will be constructed along both sides of Washington Street.

A road diet typically involves transforming a road by reducing the lanes on a road in each direction, coupled with a variety of enhancements that could include sidewalks, bike lanes, bus lanes or parking lanes. Traditionally these are low-cost projects that could be as simple as restriping the road, but that reduce speed and increase mobility and accessibility while enhancing safety for all users.

Both Washington Street and Fairmount Avenue will be resurfaced, and drainage improvements will be made.

In addition, traffic signs along Washington Street and Fluvanna Avenue will be replaced. Eleven traffic signals along both arterials will be replaced or modified, and one new traffic signal will be installed on West 6th Street at Whitley Avenue. Pedestrian facilities including curb ramps, crosswalks and pedestrians signals with countdown timers will be upgraded.

State Senator George Borrello said, “Thousands of vehicles, including school buses, travel on Washington Street and Fluvanna Avenue every day. One of the issues I’ve been most vocal about in the senate is our need to increase spending to improve our roads and bridges. I want to thank Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Dominguez for bringing this project forward. Safe roads are essential to protect the traveling public. Good roads also support the small businesses that drive our economy. Infrastructure spending is economic development. This $4.7 million project is a win-win for everyone. It will improve the safety of Washington Street and Fluvanna Avenue for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Assemblyman Andy Goodell said, “I am delighted that the New York State DOT is doing improvements on these roads. It will dramatically improve the quality of two roads which are main thoroughfares in Jamestown.”

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

• JAN. 25 VOTING SESSION AGENDA

At 6 p.m. the City will host a final public hearing on its 5-year plan to allocate federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funding. The plan was originally due last summer, but the pandemic pushed the process back.  The draft 5-year plan focuses on using federal money to continue the city’s effort of addressing neighborhood blight, while also focusing on other housing and community development issues including infrastructure improvement, improving handicap accessibility, and lead paint abatement.

A public notice sent out late last week by the city offers instruction on how to participate in the hearing.

Also at 6:45 p.m., the city council will hold a work session to learn details about a plan to renovate and upgrade the Washington Street Corridor from Fluvanna Ave. to the downtown.

The proposed $4.2 million project is being overseen by the State Department of Transportation.  Council will see a presentation from the state highlighting three different options to consider.  The project – which will be paid for through a federal funding program – could begin as soon as this coming fall.

• VIEW PROJECT DETAILS

The work session, as well as the council’s 7:30 voting session, will be streamed online at the city website.

Also on Monday, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist will deliver his 2021 State of the City report. But unlike previous years when the report is given in person during the council’s January voting session, this year the mayor will instead provide a recorded version of his speech, in addition to having copies of it given to council members and the public.

The report is expected to focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on local government and the economy – along with highlighting other issues including public safety, housing, and financial concerns.

Congressman Brian Higgins

As we welcome one representative in Congress, we say goodbye to another. Congressman Brian Higgins – the Democrat from South Buffalo who’s represented Chautauqua County since winning election in 2004 – took time out Thursday to thank the residents of the County for the opportunity to represent them in Congress.

Higgins said that it is difficult to express in words the fondness he has for Chautauqua County and how he will miss representing the good people in the 27 towns, 15 villages and 2 cities that stretch across that region.

Higgins also pledged to continue to work with Chautauqua County’s new representative, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning), on matters critical to the region.

Congressman Higgins also outlined the accomplishments he helped to deliver to Chautauqua County during his eight years of serving the region:

• Tourism/Economic Development:
  – Nearly $300,000 toward construction of the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator
  – $500,000 to restore and improve Bemus-Stow Ferry landings
  – Significant federal support toward the recently opened $8.5 million project transforming the historic Erie Lackawanna Train Depot in Jamestown

• Outreach/Community Development:
  – More than 840 Congress on Your Corner events in Chautauqua County alone including specialized events for local veterans and small businesses
  – Over $310,000 toward rehabilitation of the Sinclairville Senior Center for improvements to the kitchen which facilitates Meals on Wheels and changes to make the facility handicap accessible

• Transportation/Infrastructure:
  – $17 million federal investment in reconstruction of the Washington Street Bridge in Jamestown
  – Over $10.5 million toward improvements to the Dunkirk and Jamestown Airports

• Public Safety:
  – Over $1.8 million for Construction of & Improvements to Children’s Safety Village
  – Over $4 million in federal fire grants to fire departments in Chautauqua County including funding toward the purchase of a new truck at the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department

• Health:
  – Close to $400,000 to provide state-of-the-art equipment and training for nursing students attending Jamestown Community College
  – More than $26 million to various WNY partners, including Chautauqua County Health Network, working to expand and improve electronic medical records at local doctors’ offices and hospitals
  – Federal grant to provide a new “S-miles to Go” van, which serves the dental needs of elementary school children in Chautauqua County.

Since last June, one person has been killed and two more seriously injured while trying to cross the street. To raise awareness for the need for a crosswalk, a group of concerned residents held a rally at the end of August on Washington St. The Post-Journal the state DOT recently responded to the paper’s inquiry regarding the crosswalk, saying that it will install a high visibility crosswalk on Washington Street, on the south side of 13th Street.  In addition, fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian warning signs will be installed at both the crosswalk and in advance of this crosswalk in both the north bound and south bound lanes of Washington St.