Fellow Waterfordians:

 

Record Article 4/04

 

The beginning of the 2004 construction season presents me with an excellent opportunity to update residents on continuing developments in the Village of Waterford.  Many projects have recently been completed, are underway, and are being planned to encourage continuing revitalization and improvement along our waterfronts, the Broad Street commercial area, and critical connecting and surrounding areas.

 

On December 12^th, I had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon on the renovated Peebles Island Bridge with New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Congressman Mike McNulty and Assemblyman Ron Canestrari.  Completion of this project has reunited us with Peebles Island State Park after many years.  It is a wonderful park, and if you haven’t been there yet, or visited for many years, it’s quite nice to walk across our namesake the “Water Ford” and relax in the park.  Park amenities include a picnic pavilion, picnic tables, boat launch and dock, interpretive signage, and walking trails.  The park is also home to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and will soon be the site of the Peebles Island and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Visitor Center.  If you choose not to walk or bicycle, parking is available at the Waterford Visitors Center and on Peebles Island.

 

Other projects are moving along nicely as well.  The Lock 2 rehabilitation project wrapped up late last year.  It has greatly enhanced the entire lock and entrance to the Erie Division of the New York State Barge Canal.

 

The 9^th Street Bridge Project has taken longer than estimated because of the unanticipated setbacks that often occur with bridge rehabilitation, but will be complete sometime this summer.  The Village negotiated with the New York State Department of Transportation to rebuild Broad Street between the 9^th Street and 5^th Street bridges.  This work will include removal of the old trolley tracks, new curbs, new sidewalks, and repaving.  This work will also result in the repaving of Broad Street between 4^th and 5^th Streets.  During the course of this project, period lighting will also be installed from Burton Avenue to the 9^th Street Bridge and from 7^th to 6^th Street.

 

The Design Guidelines and Streetscape Improvement Project is also moving forward. This project is funded by a $328,000 matching grant awarded in May 2001, and began in February after signed contracts were received from New York State. 

 

With guidance from John Holehan from River Street Planning & Development and historic preservation consultant Amy Facca, a volunteer design guidelines committee has been formed and has been working diligently over the past few months.  The committee includes Village Trustee Ted Pascucci; Village Zoning Board Chairman Anne Marie Morrissey; Village Planning Board member Jon Matson; Village Historian Merle Doud; Ward Patton; Waterford Historical Museum director Brad Utter; Margie Mahoney; Patricia Matson; and Mark Polnak.  The committee’s work will result in detailed, illustrated recommendations for property owners wishing to make improvements to their older and historic houses and commercial buildings.  It is hoped that the guidelines and upcoming façade improvement program plans will have a positive effect on the overall appearance of Waterford’s built environment.

 

The streetscape improvement component will go to bid for construction within the next few weeks.  The project includes resetting of curbs along First, Second, Third and Fourth Streets south of Broad Street; removal and replacement of aging trees with new ones; planting new trees where none currently exist; installation of period lighting; and sidewalk improvements.  On Second Street from Middle to South streets, curbs will be moved and straightened and a utility strip will make way for trees and lighting.  Period lighting will be the same in these areas as the lighting installed on lower Second Street at the entrance to the Peebles Island Bridge.

 

The Village has also applied to the Governor’s Office of Small Cities for a $400,000 grant for façade improvement along Broad Street as well as business development and technical assistance.  Keep your fingers crossed.

 

And finally, a great lineup of festivals and special events is planned for spring, summer and fall.  Mark your calendars now for the Canalfest (May 8); Fyfes & Drums Muster (June 5), Rediscovering Peebles Island (June 12); Concerts in the Park (Saturday nights in July and August); Steamboat Meet (July 3); the 77^th Regimental Balladeers (August 13); Tugboat Roundup (September 10-12); Great Village Sellout (September 25); and Heritage Day (October 2).  And don’t miss the community Memorial Parade on Wednesday May 26^th. 

 

Have a great summer and come see what’s new in Waterford!