Medina board goes on record in support of $10 million in canal improvements

File photo by Tom Rivers: The concrete wall on the northside of the Canal Basin in Medina has crumbled in many spots in recent years. This photo from early November shows the wall that is eyed for improvements by the NYS Canal Corp.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has gone on the record in support of an estimated $10 million in improvements to the canal in Medina, including work on the towpath trail and the concrete wall on the north side of the canal in the basin.

The State Canal Corp. is working on the design for improvements to the towpath from Bates Road to the lift bridge.

The Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority requested a letter of support for the improvement project. That letter of support from the board would be “invaluable” as the Power Authority works to get approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, according to a letter to Mayor Marguerite Sherman from Joana Pacheco, Capital Planning manager of Canals for the Power Authority.

“The Medina Waterfront Project is a transformative effort aimed at rebuilding the canal structure of the high wall and repairing the canal system trails,” Pacheco wrote in a letter to Mayor Marguerite Sherman. “It includes enhancements to existing trailheads and the creation of new public spaces that will provide much needed amenities, fostering increased accessibility, connection and quality of life for the community.”

The Medina Village Board on Dec. 16 said it strongly supports the project and will send a letter backing the effort.

The Power Authority and Canal Corp. also are looking to “reactivate” an industrial area where safety concerns have been reported, transforming it into a vibrant, welcoming space, Pacheco said.

“Vital to this initiative is the development of a recognizable central gateway adjacent to the Sydney Gross Memorial and the Apple – a site that will become the primary stopping point on the northside of the Canal Loop,” she wrote in her letter to the board. “This new arrival will support recreational activities, including kayaking, boating, while offering vital amenities such as parking, water fountains, seating, bathrooms and storage.”

The initiative from the Canal Corp. and Power Authority aligns with other big projects in Medina, including a $4.5 million Forward NY grant and an international art event to launch in 2026, Pacheco said.

“I am incredibly excited about the potential of this project to enrich the lives of Medina’s residents and visitors, and believe your support will underscore its importance to the wider community,” Pacheco said.