By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2023 at 2:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – This dog carries a Santa during the Pets on Parade today at noon in Medina. This year there were about 30 dogs in the procession, the most since pets were welcomed in a parade leading Santa to downtown Medina.
Santa is joined by an elf in making his arrival in downtown Medina. He visited kids in the Santa House at Rotary Park after the parade.
Medina band students played holiday favorites from a trailer.
Connor Tobin and his mother Jessica Tobin from Spencerport pulled puppies in wagons that are at PAWS Animal Shelter. Those dogs aren’t quite old enough to be adopted yet. PAWS volunteers brought seven dogs for the parade.
Gary Watts of Medina helps his granddaughter Charlotte McGrath, 11, squeeze into a costume of a Minion. Gary’s wife Robin made the costume. It is a new character for Medina’s parade.
Jessica Marciano wears an Olaf costume. She walked in the parade with her daughter, Cadence, 4.
Katy Owczarczak, left, and her daughter Aurora Owczarczak walk their dogs in the pet parade. Katy is with Gabe, a German shepherd, and Aurora walks with Meredith, an English cream retriever.
Santa gets a nice reception when he arrives at Rotary Park.
Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoo on Main Street, is dressed as Santa. The tattoo business will be collecting toys until 8 p.m. today. Those toys will be distributed by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and the Medina Area Association of Churches.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 November 2023 at 10:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Jacob Rissew, a senior at Medina, wore the Santa suit and got off to a fast start in this morning’s Home for the Holidays 5K.
There were 158 participants in the race, the most in its 11 years.
Rissew wore the Santa suit as part of a community service requirement for a high school class. He said it ended up being a fun time.
Debbie Tompkins welcomes the runners to the race. They started in the canal basin and headed down Route 31 to State Street Park. They went to Bates Road and got on the towpath before turning at the lift bridge and heading back to the finish line in front of the American Legion Post on North Main Street.
Tompkins organizes the race with Teresa Wilkins. They thought the bigger crowd of runners and walkers was due to the beneficiary of the race: PAWS Animal Shelter.
Martha Snyder, 24, of Medina competes in the 5K with her dog, Koda. They are in front of a mural created last year by Brandi Zavitz under the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge.
Aeddon Cayea, 24, of Medina was the first male finisher in a time of 18:59, while Taylor Heschke, 20, of Appleton was the first female to cross the finish line in a time of 19:38.
Madeline Mark, 14, of Medina and her father Adam Mark head to the finish line. Madeline was among the fastest females with a time of 23:42.
This group of friends dressed up in holiday characters for the 5K. From left include Robin Wehling of Medina in the Grinch costume, Beverly Woodard as an elf and Leslie Mischel with a Grinch sweater.
Jeremy Weakland of Barker carried an American flag for the entire race.
“I’m a vet,” he said. “I love the reaction when people see the flag. It inspires them.”
This runner in a Santa hat goes by the Big Apple sculpture created by Richard Bannister.
Click here to see a schedule of events during today’s Olde Time Christmas, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Metz family in Medina won the grand prize in Medina’s Parade of Lights last year, the second straight year the family took the top prize in the parade. The Metz float had 15,000 lights and tried to depict National Lampoon’s Vacation including “Cousin Eddie” from the movie.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 November 2023 at 9:11 am
MEDINA – The 15th annual Medina Parade of Lights will have more than 40 entries including 18 first-time participants, said Jim Hancock, parade chairman.
“The will probably be our biggest parade ever,” Hancock. “We got them from all over – Gasport, Middleport, Webster, Wheatfield and Oakfield. I’m just amazed. It’s going to be really great.”
The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and works it way to downtown Medina.
Before the parade, the community Christmas tree will be lighted at 5:30 by parade grand marshal Todd Bensley. There will be fireworks at 5:45.
Prime Time Brass will perform in the downtown at the four corners while the crowd waits for the floats to arrive.
“It will be great parade this year,” Hancock said. “It’s going to be something.”
He thanked Assembly Steve Hawley for being the emcee for 12 years, and the Medina Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and the Police Department for all of their work to make the event a success.
The Medina Fire Department heads down Main Street with the a big crowd gathered to watch the annual parade last year on Nov. 26, 2022.
The parade is part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. The activities begin at 9 a.m. with a 5K where many of the runners typically wear costumes of Christmas characters.
There is another parade at 11:30 a.m. and that “Pets on Parades” also has its biggest turnout for entries. Hancock said. That route starts at the Medina Historical Society and Ridgeway Town Hall on West Avenue and heads down Pearl Street and then to main Street in the downtown.
Santa will be at the end of that parade and will be in downtown Medina around noon.
Many of the businesses and organizations will be hosting events during the day. Click here to see the full schedule of activities.
There will also be the 7th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Canalside Tattoo Company, at 540 Main St.
File photo: This picture from June shows the teeter-totter at Gulf Street Park and other playground equipment.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2023 at 4:25 pm
MEDINA – A Boy Scout in Troop 28 in Medina has the Village Board’s permission to give the playground equipment at Gulf Street Park a fresh coat of paint.
Matthew Jacobs met with the board last week and said he will lead a group of scouts in sprucing up the equipment. Jacobs said some of the equipment may be sanded to get rid of rusty spots.
The teeter-totter, “The Spider” and some monkey bars at Gulf Street Park will be painted red, green and blue.
Jacobs said the project will help him earn his Life Rank through the Boy Scouts. He expects the work will be done by next June.
“We’re very thankful you’re taking on this job and investing in our community,” Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said.
Gulf Street Park recently added a nine-hole disc golf course. That has brought more people to the park. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, said some of the playground equipment may be relocated away from the disc golf course.
Honorees include Horace Clark Bird (Class of 1956), Colin Huwyler (Class of 2002), Dr. Daniel Terryberry (Class of 1980) and Toby Williams (Class of 1991)
Photo courtesy of Medina Central School: Pictured from left, first row, include Dr. Daniel Terryberry, Bobbie Huwyler (accepting for her son Colin Huwyler) and Jeff Bird (accepting for his dad, Horace Clark Bird). Back row: Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley (accepting for his friend Toby Williams) and Medina Junior/Senior High School Principal Michael Cavanagh.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Medina Junior/Senior High School recognized four distinguished alumni on Friday for their outstanding contributions to their community and/or their chosen career.
The award is given annually to honor alumni, promote school spirit, foster pride in the school and community and to serve as an incentive for the current student body.
This year’s recipients are Mr. Horace Clark Bird (Class of 1956), Mr. Colin Huwyler (Class of 2002), Dr. Daniel Terryberry (Class of 1980) and Mr. Toby Williams (Class of 1991).
“Having worked in Medina for many years, I can definitely say that it is a blessing to be part of a community like ours,” said Michael Cavanagh, the school principal. “The people that we honor today are proof that we are all capable of achieving greatness and truly making a difference in society.”
Horace “Butch” Clark Bird graduated in 1956. After high school he attended Cornell University, playing saxophone in the Big Red Marching Band. After graduating with a B.S. and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961, he joined the US Air Force and piloted C-130 cargo aircraft. He flew over 178 combat missions in Southeast Asia and accumulated over 4,000 flying hours out of combat areas. He was awarded seven Air Medals and earned the rank of Captain.
He and his wife Dayle met in Tachikawa, Japan and moved to Rochester, New York where they raised their three children. Butch worked as an engineer at Eastman Kodak Company. He and his colleagues held patents for the first instant camera.
After retiring in 1995, Butch started teaching English while working at Minolta in Osaka, Japan. After earning an English as a Second Language teaching certificate, he taught English and Japanese in Bangkok, Thailand. Sadly, Butch passed away January 4, 2023.
Colin Huwyler is a member of the Class of 2002. After graduating, he went on to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and also earned a certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.
While a freshman in college, Colin experimented with biofuels on his Volkswagen Jetta. These experiments led him to create a biofuel system for passenger vehicles, and over the years, this drew interest from a number of private fleets who wanted to utilize the technology to reduce the emissions of the heavy-duty trucks. This led Colin to be a veteran of the renewable fuels industry and becoming the CEO of Optimus Technologies. He also founded Fossil Free Fuel and was the Director of Research and Technology at Steel City Biofuels. He is the co-inventor on several Optimus Technologies patents.
In 2019, Colin was announced as the winner of NYSERDA’s (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) 76west Clean Energy Competition. With his prize money, he plans to establish a company in the Binghamton/Ithaca areas.
Colin has consulted and given lectures on biofuels, product development, the low-carbon economy, and a variety of other topics for non-profits, government agencies, corporations and universities.
Dr. Daniel Terryberry was a member of the Class of 1980. During his time at Medina High School, he participated in JV and Varsity Football, as well as Varsity Tennis. He was also selected as the Boys’ State representative his junior and senior years, representing the school for football in All League. He went on to Houghton College and then studied medicine at the University at Buffalo. After receiving a country-wide scholarship to encourage physicians to practice medicine in small, rural towns, he established roots in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In a nod to his alma mater, the name of his practice is Mustang Medical!
Dr. Terryberry began his medical practice in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics and then later switched his practice to family medicine. He has been voted “Best Doctor” many years and has served as Chief of Staff, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Review Officer and Occupational Health Director throughout his career. He also managed the response to the Covid-19 crisis for the entire Vidant Hospital System.
During his career, he has completed two mission trips with Doctors Without Borders to assist patients in Belize and most recently supported a family from the Ukraine as they were fleeing their native country. Mustang Medical has also had a presence in Kabul and Mazur in Afghanistan and the embassy in Baghdad. His practice continues to support American defense contractors in Qatar, Israel and Burkina Faso.
He and his wife raised four daughters in Elizabeth City and remain a pillar of the community. He serves on several boards and his committed to youth development as he funds multiple sports camps and development programs. He is active in his church and gives back every chance he can. Dr. Terryberry supports local Mustang athletes every year by generously donating to the Boice-Ossont Scholar Athlete Scholarship, which is awarded annually at the Medina Junior/Senior High School Block M Banquet.
Toby Williams is a member of the Class of 1991. During his time at Medina High School, Toby was a member of the National Honor Society and Ski Club. He also participated in Varsity Soccer and Baseball throughout high school. Both of Toby’s parents were members of the faculty at Medina Central School District. He gives credit for his solid education foundation to his parents, along with many supportive teachers he had while at the district. He especially remembers the encouragement and support from Mr. O’Dea, who was his soccer coach.
Toby earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Houghton College, where he majored in Political Science. Afterwards, he went on to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor Degree from Ohio State University. He started his career as securities and mergers and acquisition lawyer in Washington, DC and New York.
Toby later went on to become an investment banker at Citigroup, Inc. He later became the Director of Corporate Development at Paychex, Inc where from 2006-2011 he led all mergers, acquisitions and corporate development efforts. In 2017, he joined Paylocity as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President.
In 2022 he was named Co-CEO. Paylocity is a leading provider of cloud-based human resources and payroll software and is recognized as one of the best places to work. It has been named one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest, along with being one of the best places to work in Illinois. Toby resides in Washington, D.C.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2023 at 9:25 am
UB architecture students create memorial to honor Sydney Gross, who is remembered for vibrant personality
Photos by Tom Rivers: A new sculpture with 23 precast concrete modules was unveiled on Friday at the Lions Park along the Erie Canal in Medina just east of the lift bridge on Route 63.
MEDINA – The University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning accepted the challenge: create a memorial for a former student that would be engaging, reflecting the ebullient personality of the late Sydney Gross.
Gross was a student in the program who left a strong impression on her professors and the other students. She was a very social person who was friends with everyone. She was killed in a car accident in July 2009.
Gross’s family has donated to projects at the UB School of Architecture and Planning in Sydney’s name. They have funded part of a lecture series, paid for the travel of UB students to compete at the solar decathlon in Italy, and also a 10-year alumni symposium.
The family wanted a sculpture in memory of Sydney, a project that would challenge the UB students and also have an end result of bringing people together.
A new sculpture with 23 pieces was unveiled on Friday in Medina along the Erie Canal. It’s close to the Big Apple sculpture on the north side of the canal, just east of the lift bridge on Route 63.
Lori Duckstein smiles after a ribbon-cutting and is thrilled with the new sculpture in memory of her daughter.
Lori Duckstein, Sydney’s mother, commended the UB students and their professors for bringing the sculpture to reality. They worked more than a year on it, including brainstorming sessions with Medina High School art students in Jen Scott’s classes.
“I’m happy with the execution of it,” Duckstein said on Friday, when she made her first visit to Medina. “We want kids to be outside and having fun.”
Sydney is from New Jersey near New York City. She never was in Medina. But she was always welcoming to others, looking to build connections. In that sense, Medina is the ideal location, her mother said.
She thanked the Medina community for accepting the sculpture in a prominent spot in the community.
“It’s in a beautiful town that’s along the canal,” Duckstein said. “It’s accessible.”
The UB students and their professors installed the pieces on Monday and Wednesday, using a forklift. The pieces are several hundred pounds to several thousand. They are arranged in clusters to create a furniture setting.
The arrangement is designed for recreation, reflection, and relaxation for anyone traveling on the canal or trail or as a local resident enjoying the canalside park.
Graduate students in the architecture program at the University of Buffalo met with Medina art students in Jennifer Scott’s class in this photo from February. The UB students met to discuss possibilities of a sculpture as a playground area with artistic elements. One idea shown in the photo called for a “forest of flutes” where people could make sounds and music from flutes. There would also be rocks or stone walls that could be used to make music, too. UB and medina students sketched out many ideas with the goal to not have a static sculpture but create something that would be experiential.
Medina High School Art Teacher Jen Scott said her students benefited from being part of the discussion and seeing the create process from the UB students and their professors.
“The creativity was palpable in the art room!” she exclaimed. “The graduate students from the Architecture Department at UB were engaging and collaborative while working with the high school students. It was exciting to see ideas flying as well as empowering to see the high school students offering their input.”
UB professors Joyce Hwang and Chris Romano also met with the Medina students, and so did Joana Pires Pacheco from the New York Power Authority. They helped the high school students understand the scope of the project commemorating Sydney Gross.
“Remembering and honoring her through this public art installation serves as a landmark that all community members in Medina can enjoy,” Scott said. “Whether students visit the installation for photos, boaters on the canal use it as a landmark, or community members picnic and play there, it will be a powerful public space that will be enjoyed for future generations.”
University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning professors Christopher Romano and Joyce Hwang were professors for Sydney Gross and led the students in creating the sculpture.
“She was a very social student who was connected to everyone,” Hwang said about Sydney. “She will be bringing people together in a new way.”
Romano said the project was very ambitious for 43 students that worked on the sculptures. They created the “curvaceous objects” that are sanded and shaped concrete with bent steel inside.
The 23 modules weigh 25,000 pounds. They also put in 26 tons of stone and sand for the site work about a month ago.
“They aren’t just for sitting,” Romano said about the sculptures. “It’s a conversation starter and a community builder. We hope it brings the public to the canal.”
The UB School of Architecture and Planning worked with the New York Power Authority, the Canal Corporation and Village of Medina officials on the project, as well as the Medina art students.
“It was a project that required us to connect with many people and bridge together many state agencies,” Hwang and Romano said. “In the end, the result is a project that has touched many people’s lives with the ambition to touch many more as they stop for a reflective moment along the Erie Canal.”
UB architecture students are excited and happy at the ribbon-cutting for the new sculptures.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2023 at 10:40 pm
New public art sculptures dedicated today, with more projects in the works
Photos by Tom Rivers: Brian Stratton, commissioner of the NYS Canal Corp. was in Medina today to celebrate the new public art sculptures by the canal between the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge and the lift bridge on Route 63. Stratton also announced several big projects are coming to Medina to better capitalize on the canal.
MEDINA – On a day when Medina celebrated a new public art sculpture by the Erie Canal, state officials announced several big projects are headed to the community to better capitalize on the canal and build on recent successes in Medina.
The new public art sculpture is a memorial to Sydney Gross, a New Jersey native who was a student in the UB School of Architecture and Planning. She was killed in a car accident in July 2009.
The memorial consists of 23 precast concrete modules, weighing anywhere from several hundred to several thousand pounds. The sculptures have bent steel inside to give them their shape.
People can rest or play on the sculptures, which are near the Big Apple sculpture created by Richard Bannister.
The new memorial is set on 26 tons of stone. UB students did the site work about a month ago. The 25,000 pounds of concrete pieces were installed on Monday and Wednesday with a forklift used to move them into place.
UB architecture students join Sydney Gross’s mother Lori Duckstein in celebrating the completion of a year-long project to design and build the sculpture. They met with Medina High School art students in Jen Scott’s classes to get their input last spring and in the fall. There were 43 UB architecture students involved in the project which was led by Christopher Romano and Joyce Hwang, faculty members in the UB School of Architecture and Planning.
• Several other major projects also were announced today for Medina. The state Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority will make repairs to the concrete wall on the northside of the canal near the waterfalls and Horan Road bridge.
• NYPA and the Canal Corp. also want to improve the view for the public to see the Medina waterfalls. That will definitely include better management of the vegetation by the waterfalls and could include an elevated platform. The project is in the planning stages, said Angelyn Chandler, vice president of planning at NYPA for Reimagine the Canals.
The north wall of the canal is shown near the Horan Road bridge. The wall will be repaired, the Canal Corp. and New York Power Authority announced today.
The state also want to give the public a better view of the Medina Waterfalls by the canal. Those waterfalls carry the Oak Orchard Creek through the Medina aqueduct under the canal.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said he is grateful for the new public art sculpture in Medina and the upcoming projects.
• The state announced the towpath trail will be upgraded from the lift bridge to the Bates Road bridge, which is about 1.5 miles.
The Rehabilitation of the Erie Canalway Trail & Empire State Trail from the Horan Road bridge to the Bates Road bridge will leverage a $411,495 Federal TAP Grant, the Canal Corp. and NYPA announced.
• J.J. Tighe, director of the Parks and Trails Initiative for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, announced a $2.654 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to establish a vibrant public waterfront park that seamlessly links the gateways at the Medina lift bridge and Horan Road bridge to downtown Medina. It will create an accessible loop designed to unify the community around the Erie Canal.
Designed by City Architects of New York City, the initiative places a premium on recreational amenities for boaters and trail users, promoting a dynamic public space and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
“Our efforts in Medina reflect the goals of the Reimagine the Canals initiative – we are working collaboratively with local stakeholders to enhance and reenergize the Erie Canal so that it remains a vibrant driver of economic activity for decades to come,” said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The initial art sculpture unveiled today, and the preliminary ideas being considered to improve the village’s connection to the canal, underscore NYPA and the Canal Corporation’s commitment to leveraging canal infrastructure as a way to encourage year-round visitation to our historic communities.”
• NYPA and the Canal Corp. also announced a major Art Triennial event to be held in Medina every three years with the first in 2025, the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal. The art event will be spread over weeks and months.
The large-scale art event includes support from the Hungerford family in Medina, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, NYS Council on the Arts, and institutional partners from Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery and the Buffalo AKG.
The groups are identify spaces to showcase the art, and work from emerging artist and established ones.
“For generations, Medina thrived as a canal port exporting sandstone to support construction projects around the world, and now this picturesque canalside village is evolving to rediscover itself as an emerging center for arts and culture in Western New York,” said Stratton, the canal commissioner. “By initiating the preliminary design work that will guide future projects that aim to improve and rehabilitate our infrastructure, the Canal Corporation is demonstrating its commitment to Medina, and we are building upon a great foundation already laid by the community.”
UB students and their professors climb on the sculptures for a group photo after a year of hard work on the project.
Photos courtesy of John Thomas: (Left) Job Corps students helped serve lunch to veterans and their guests Saturday at the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina. Here, Jermaine Miller and Javen Feliciano are ready to fill veterans’ plates. (Right) Hasmieu Jalloh and Marcos Garcia, students at Iroquois Job Corps, sold red poppies and handed out patriotic mementoes on Veterans’ Day at the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina, as Job Corps operations director John Thomas watches.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 November 2023 at 8:53 pm
MEDINA – An important part of students’ curriculum at Iroquois Job Corps is getting out into the local community to interact with people and volunteer their services.
In recent months, Job Corps students have painted the Shelby Town Hall and did construction work for PAWS animal shelter in Albion, to name a few projects.
Last weekend, however, the students showed their respect for veterans by volunteering to help at a Veterans’ Day lunch provided by the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina.
As part of their volunteer efforts, the students made 75 patriotic cards, which they handed out to veterans who came for lunch.
John Thomas of Medina, operations director at Iroquois Job Corps, accompanied the students, Hasmieu Jalloh, Marcos Garcia, Javen Feliciano, Jermaine Miller and Asia Borden. The students helped by selling red poppies and serving lunch.
Jim Freas, former commander of the Post, said he thought it was great the students come to help. He added it is so important for the students to show their appreciation of veterans. He also thanked Thomas for bringing the young Job Corps people out and promoting community service.
At least 40 veterans were served lunch, a Veterans’ Day tradition Freas said the VFW has done for more than 20 years.
A large photo of Marines in front of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. is the backdrop for this picture of students from Iroquois Job Corps who volunteered to help at the Lincoln VFW Post in Medina on Veterans’ Day. From left are Hasmieu Jalloh, operations director John Thomas of Medina, Marcos Garcia, Javen Feliciano, Jermaine Miller, Asia Borden and VFW Post commander Patrick Little.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Presenting a $2,000 check from the American Legion Auxiliary to the Joint Veterans’ Council toward a new van are, from left, Auxiliary members Valerie Wells, Robin Boyle and Judy Overholt, Joint Veterans’ Council president Dave Kusmierczak, Joint Veterans’ Council secretary Nancy Traxler, van service coordinator Phyllis Schrader, American Legion Auxiliary president Cathy Fox and Post member Carol Callina and Commander Jim Wells.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 November 2023 at 6:01 pm
MEDINA – The Orleans County Joint Veterans Council received two generous donations Friday toward the purchase of another van for the Veterans’ Van Service.
The van service has six vans, one of which is currently out of service for much-needed repairs, and needs to replace several more, according to Phyllis Schrader, who coordinates the van service for Orleans County veterans.
The donations were from the Butts-Clark American Legion Auxiliary, who presented a check for $2,000 to Nancy Traxler, secretary of the Joint Veterans Council, which operates the van service, and a $1,000 check from the Butts-Clark American Legion Post.
“This is pretty fantastic,” Traxler said. “Our drivers work so hard to make sure the veterans get to their appointments. Most of our veterans can’t drive any more. We always need donations and we always need more volunteer drivers, as well as volunteers in the office. You can work one day a week or two hours a week – whatever you can do will be helpful.”
“We are not looking to purchase a new van,” Schrader said. “But even used ones are expensive. The last one we bought in good condition with low mileage was $26,000.”
The Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council received donations toward a new van Friday at the Butts-Clark American Legion Post. Shown here, Dave Kusmierczak, chaplain of the American Legion and Jim Wells, right, Legion commander, present a $1,000 check to Nancy Traxler, Veterans’ Service agent and secretary of the Joint Veterans’ Council and Phyllis Schrader, coordinator of the van service.
Schrader said they are still about $10,000 short of having enough money for another van.
She said, in reality, they need to replace more than one. Two of those in service were purchased in 2010 and one has 120,000 miles on it and the other more than 100,000. All are rusted. There is rarely a day when they don’t have a trip to Buffalo, Rochester or Batavia for a veteran’s medical appointment, and it is not uncommon to have two or three trips in one day.
Donations and more volunteers are welcome. Volunteers are not only needed as drivers, but to help with tasks in the office, such as filing or making calls to confirm appointments. Donations may be made by sending a check to Orleans County Joint Veterans Council, 13996 Route 31 West, Albion, 14411.
Photos courtesy of Douglas Levere: UB architecture students and faculty work on the installation of the Sydney Gross Memorial along the Erie Canal in Medina on Monday.
Posted 14 November 2023 at 12:53 pm
Project will open on Friday afternoon and serve as living memorial to Sydney Gross, a late UB architecture student
By David J. Hill, Director of News Content for University at Buffalo for Public Health, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Sustainability
MEDINA – Even now, 14 years later, Joey Swerdlin fondly recalls the brief time he spent with Sydney Gross as classmates together in the bachelor’s degree program in the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning.
“Sydney was such a happy person. Even in the dark depths of exhausting studio deadlines, Sydney always kept a smile and positive spirit,” Swerdlin said. “Her laugh and smile were infectious and she was always bringing people from different friend groups together.”
Gross was a promising student who completed the first year of the undergraduate architecture program at UB when she died following a car accident in July 2009.
In the years since, Gross’ family and friends established an endowed fund in her memory to support programs that encourage collaboration and community among architecture students, such as the biannual Sydney Gross Memorial Lecture, Alumni Symposium, and the Student Lounge.
The Sydney Gross Memorial consists of 23 precast concrete modules, weighing anywhere from several hundred to several thousand pounds.
Now, Gross’ family is providing support for a design-build project along the Erie Canal in Medina that will serve as a living memorial to Gross, capturing her vibrant artistic spirit while providing a space for public gathering and enjoyment. UB students are putting the finishing touches on it now in preparation for an official opening at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.
The project has been in the works since 2022, and is being led by Christopher Romano and Joyce Hwang, faculty members in the School of Architecture and Planning who knew Gross well — she was a student in their classes. That connection has only deepened their desire for this to be a truly special project.
“We came to them with a vague and simple idea to create a playful space in Sydney’s name that would bring students and community together,” said Sydney’s sister, Stephanie. “The magnitude of the project is the result of the dedication and creativity of Joyce and Chris.”
Addsed Sydney’s mom, Lori Duckstein: “They never fail to exceed any expectation we might have. During her year at UB, Sydney spoke often about Joyce and Chris, the curriculum and why she was so lucky to be learning from them. I believed her then, but watching them define every stage of this project and their attention to every detail made it clear to me that Sydney could not have had a finer freshman year.”
Capturing Sydney’s fun spirit, love of architecture
“This whole project has been about trying to capture who Sydney was as a person and the energy she had when she was here. Although it emerged out of a tragedy, it has turned into something much more positive and endearing,” said Romano, an assistant professor of architecture at UB who is teaching the fall semester studio that is building the project.
“We’ve had this partnership for almost 15 years now. For me, this has always been something I’ve worked on with Joyce. It’s the biggest project we could have done together in honor of Sydney,” Romano said.
Hwang, an associate professor of architecture at UB, who, with Romano, co-taught the studio in the spring semester that laid the groundwork for the project to be built this fall.
“Our goal in the spring was to design something that would offer a combination of spaces to sit and reflect, as well as areas to play and socialize. Creating a space of wonderment and joy to embody the spirit of Sydney was important to us,” said Madeleine Sophie Sutton, a student in the Master of Architecture program who was part of Hwang’s studio.
The project is getting installed this week by the canal near the Big Apple, between the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge and lift bridge on Route 63.
The spring studio conducted several Zoom calls with Gross’ family and friends to learn more about who she was. “Fun” was the word Gross’ mother used most often. Above all else, Duckstein wanted the students to enjoy the studio experience in the same way her daughter did.
“We made a point to have fun in the studio, as a way to honor Sydney’s optimism, energy and excitement for the studio environment,” Sutton said. “We sought to embody her energy and love for all things playful through the design, and eventual construction of a living memorial. This project captures who Sydney was by the ways it invites people to play and have fun.”
Memorial will be part of larger project in Medina
The Sydney Gross Memorial will be situated on New York State Canal Corporation land along the Erie Canalway Trail in Medina, and will mark the much-anticipated beginning of a larger public art and recreation initiative by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation’s Reimagine the Canals program.
The grand opening will be part of a coordinated announcement and is set for 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. In addition to Hwang and Romano, attendees will include Gross’ family and friends, UB students who have worked on the project, local high school students, local and state representatives as well as partners from different philanthropic organizations and art institutions involved in the waterfront development and public art planning in Medina.
Given that Gross was from the New York City area, Medina may not at first appear to be a fitting locale for a project so closely tied to her. But the parallels are perfect.
For starters, the village’s master plan seeks to reimagine Medina as a destination for arts and culture along the canal. “Tying this to an art project was important for us because Sydney was a very artistic, free, creative spirit,” Hwang said.
While it is being designed as “a living memorial” to Sydney, the space itself is intended to facilitate a sense of community and public activity. It will be a vibrant recreational space to be enjoyed not only by Medina residents, but anyone who bikes, walks or jogs along the canal while being easily accessible to UB.
“Ultimately, it’s the perfect representation of Sydney,” said Ryan Edwards, a second-year Master of Architecture student who has been a part of both studios. “It’s a project in a community that she has no relation to, but she’s going to be bringing people together in a fun way.”
The pieces are getting set in place.
Rethinking what a memorial is
Hwang challenged her students to rethink the concept of what a memorial is. “When you think of the word ‘memorial,’ it often conveys commemorating something that was lost,” she said. “But Sydney’s family and friends were adamant that this not be a somber place. It’s a place that will promote joy and community.”
The Sydney Gross Memorial consists of 23 precast concrete modules (the “Units”), weighing anywhere from several hundred to several thousand pounds. Students spent several weeks working on the initial molds and steel reinforcing in the School of Architecture and Planning’s SMART Factory and the Fabrication Workshop, under Romano’s direction with assistance from shop directors Steph Cramer, Wade Georgi and Julia Hunt. The molds were then cast in concrete at Southside Precast Products in Buffalo.
The Units — think of them as urban furniture — are arranged primarily in three clusters and stack together like masonry building blocks.
Edwards is excited about how the community will interact with the memorial. “If you want to just go and sit and eat lunch and watch the sunset, it’s perfect for that,” he says. “Or if you’re a 6-year-old, you can jump all over it and have a ball. People can experience it however they want to, but the overarching theme of it is ‘fun.’”
The project has benefited not only from the Gross family funding, but also through numerous in-kind donations, a joining of forces of people working to achieve a goal for the community, including Nicole Sarmiento, an adjunct faculty member and recent UB alumna who worked with Hwang and Romano over the summer to finalize the design drawings.
“It has been an amazing experience to be involved with a project that means so much to so many different groups of people,” says Sutton.
While it is being designed as “a living memorial” to Sydney Gross, the space itself is intended to facilitate a sense of community and public activity.
Swerdlin is astounded by the number of people who have been involved in bringing the project to life. A 2013 UB graduate, Swerdlin has had an active role in the project, from the very early stages of brainstorming, to serving as a juror for the spring studio, and now, as a professor teaching a seminar focused on telling the story of the project.
“One thing that has been sticking with me is recognizing that so many dozens of people are involved in the project’s creation and hundreds and thousands will eventually interact with it once it’s installed, says Swerdlin.
“Through each laugh, smile and interaction, Sydney’s memory is being celebrated, and she continues to make an impact on people’s lives in a positive way. She would be so incredibly happy to see how her professors and students have had so much fun bringing this project to life and knowing it will bring joy and peace to so many people.”
Project Sponsors
The Sydney Gross Memorial Fund provided funding for the project. Materials and labor were donated from corporate partners, and the New York Power Authority supplied summer funding.
Project sponsors include: Southside Precast Products, Alp Steel, Thermal Foams, Buffalo Concrete Accessories, Rigidized Metals, Kistner Concrete, Holcim Concrete, Shelby Stone and the Lions Club of Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2023 at 6:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Aeddon Cayea of Medina sprints to finish on Bates Road in Medina today during the 6th annual Operation Honor 5K.
Cayea, 24, won the race in a time of 18:36. His brother Alden is a past winner of the race. There were 51 participants in the event today that started and ended near the Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club.
Operation Honor distributes about $5,000 a year to help local veterans in a financial pinch. It may be paying a utility bill, car payment or some other one-time financial stressor.
Jenn Thom, an Operation Honor leader, said veterans don’t tend to seek any help. She encouraged them to reach out to Operation Honor or have a local veterans group (the VFW, American Legion or Veterans Service Agency) send a message to Operation Honor about a veteran who needs a little financial help.
The group also donates to the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council to support a van service that takes veterans to medical appointments.
Sarah Surdel, one of the leaders of Operation Honor, said the organization will be looking to chronicle local veterans’ experiences in the military through an oral history initiative.
She noted the support for Operation Honor of the late Archie Washak, a Vietnam War veteran who passed away at age 76 on Oct. 15.
There have been $3,500 in memorials for Washak donated to Operation Honor.
“ We would like to document the experiences of our elderly veterans in order to conserve those experiences before they are lost,” Operation Honor states on its website. “We also hope to document the more modern experiences of our younger veteran generations, with the hopes they may find the sharing to be a therapeutic process for further healing.”
Surdel and Thom said the group has applications available for those willing to be interviewed, and is seeking volunteers to help with the project.
Alicia and Brad Zacher of Medina both ran the 5K today. They were welcomed at the finish line by their children, Henry and Harlow, who made they a poster.
Olivia Hill and Aeddon Cayea received American flags as their first place prize. Hill, 31, ran the 5K in 24:27.
This trio walked the course together. They include, from left: Laura Belson, Susan Howard (assistant district attorney) and Joe Cardone (the Orleans County DA).
Jenifer Cardone of Medina kept up a brisk pace during the race.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Early this morning the Honor Guard from Medina’s American Legion and VFW began firing three-gun salutes and playing Taps at each of the veterans’ monuments in Medina – the Vietnam Memorial at the American Legion, the Company F Memorial at the former Armory where they served, the Korean Memorial on Park Avenue, the tank at Veterans’ Memorial Park and the Butts-Clark Memorial on South Main Street. Here they are shown outside the former Medina Armory, now the Orleans County YMCA.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 November 2023 at 2:34 pm
MEDINA – Veterans in the Medina area received recognition in a number of ways during special events and ceremonies this weekend to commemorate Veterans’ Day.
On Friday, the Butts-Clark American Legion Post served free drinks to veterans, while the Ladies’ Auxiliary provided an array of food and snacks.
A display on one wall featured a large patriotic sign under a row of veterans’ pictures.
Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary, handed out patriotic mugs purchased by the Auxiliary to veterans.
Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary, presents a patriotic mug to Phyllis Schrader, coordinator of the veterans’ van service in Albion. The Auxiliary handed out the mugs to veterans during a Veterans’ Day celebration Friday at the Butts-Clark American Legion Post.
A solemn ceremony honoring POW/MIA veterans was conducted by Post chaplain Dave Kusmierczak and commander Jim Wells.
The “Empty Table” ceremony features a table set for one, to symbolize the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors.
As Wells rang a bell, Kusmierczak explained the meaning of each item on the table.
A white tablecloth represents the purity of the soldiers intentions in responding to their country’s call to arms.
A single red rose was a reminder of the families and loved ones who keep the faith waiting their return.
Dave Kusmierczak, left, chaplain of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, and commander Jim Wells conduct a “POW/MIA” empty table ceremony during a veterans’ get-together Friday at the Medina post.
A red ribbon symbolizes the determination of those who demand a proper accounting of the missing.
A candle is lit to symbolize the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit.
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.
Salt on the plate is a symbol of the families’ tears as they wait.
The glass is inverted to signify – They cannot toast with us today.
The chair is empty, as they are not here.
Also on Saturday, Tops Friendly Markets gave veterans an 11 percent discount on their grocery bill. At noon today, the VFW served a free beef on weck lunch to all veterans.
On Friday, members of Medina’s American Legion and VFW Honor Guard, fire a three-gun salute during veterans’ ceremonies at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina. Members, from left, are Mike Herman, Carol Callina (trumpeter), John Follman, Mike Donahue, Ricci Harper, Dave Kusmierczak, Brad Nudd, Glenn Whitmore and Jim Freas, officer in charge.
The Honor Guard from Medina’s American Legion and VFW posts has been conducting a service in honor of Veterans’ Day at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for more than 20 years.
Jim Freas, the Officer in Charge, said he started participating when he moved to Medina 20 years ago, and they had been doing it long before that.
On Friday, all the veteran residents were bundled up and moved outside for the traditional 21-gun salute, playing of Taps, a prayer by chaplain Dave Kusmierczak and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Previous to arriving at Orchard Manor, the Honor Guard participated in ceremonies earlier that morning at the Veterans’ National Cemetery in Pembroke, Freas said.
Two veterans who appreciated the ceremony and being recognized for their service were Doug Herman, an Army veteran and member of the National Guard, and Jack Monell, a 60-year member of the Army National Guard, who served in the Advanced Infantry.
All veterans residing at Orchard Manor received patriotic bracelets and were treated to coffee and donuts donated by Tops Friendly Market.
Following recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, one veteran tearfully shouted, “God Bless America.”
Orchard Manor’s activities director Jamie Murphy each year creates a Wall of Honor in the Activities Room for all the veterans in residence.
Provided photo: A member of the American Legion/VFW Honor Guard shakes hands with veteran Kenny Draper during Veterans’ Day ceremonies at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 November 2023 at 8:23 am
Amy Dennis Wood and her brother Scot Dennis are shown with one of the buckets they provide residents who sign up for their new composting business. Wood’s dog Luci, a Bernese Mountain dog, is being trained to pull carts of compost as the new composting business grows.
MEDINA – Amy Dennis Wood and her brother Scot Dennis want to make a positive environmental impact with the new business they started in the spring.
Curbside Organic Recycling was launched in June by the siblings on the 1860s farm left to them by their parents at 3031 Culvert Rd. They took over as co-owners in 2013.
The farm has been in the Dennis family since 1940, first owned by Amy and Scot’s grandparents, and then their parents. The last two generations spent their last years there caring for loved ones.
Amy and Scot both have full time jobs, Scot as a senior reimbursement analyst for Rochester Regional Health and Amy an archeologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Scot lives in Rochester, but spends a day a month on the farm, or more often when needed. Scot manages the finances and bookwork, while Amy does the actual farm work.
“We each play to our individual strengths,” Amy said.
The farm has 70 acres, including 10 acres of woods. They rent a large portion to a local farmer, but have plans for the rest. One thing they both wanted to do was grow rare and lesser known fruits, and they have already planted elderberries, saskatoons (similar to Juneberries) and quince trees.
Amy said she found a copy of a 1900s newspaper which had an article on Ransom Hoag, the farmer and original owner, who grew quinces.
“We wanted to bring back things into the market that haven’t been available locally,” Amy said.
Scot Dennis empties a bucket onto the composting pile at the farm he and his sister Amy Dennis Wood own on Culvert Road.
The siblings hope the composting business will grow to the point they will have enough to use on the farm and have some left to sell. Amy said at first most of it will go on their farm, as the land there is clay.
They said composting is not a new thing.
“I’ve spent time in Europe and they have compostable bins there,” Scot said. “All the big cities, including Buffalo and Rochester have it.”
Amy has lived in Brattleboro, Mass., and they require composting, she said.
“Composting is about diverting material from the landfills,” Amy said. “At least 40 percent of what we throw away can be composted. This is something we can offer the community and help the environment.”
The business was relatively inexpensive to start, the siblings said. All they needed was a supply of buckets with lids. The only work involved is collecting the buckets, emptying them and then washing out the buckets. They are looking into compostable bags, which will eliminate the cleaning process.
The government requires they keep track of the amount of compost they collect, to assure they don’t get too big. They have already collected 500 pounds of compost.
They are promoting their business on Facebook and at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, where they’ve been warmly received. They are currently serving customers in Medina, Albion, Knowlesville and Lyndonville, and want to include Middleport.
A customer who signs up pays a start-up fee, and then $10 a month for one pick-up or $15 for two pick-ups a month. A customer can cancel any time.
Each bucket has instructions on the lid, listing what the best items to compost are (grass clippings, egg shells, vegetables, fruit, newspaper (nothing glossy) and coffee grounds. Among the things not to include are meat and bones.
To sign up, residents just call or text Amy at (585) 560-0711 or e-mail dennisfamilyfarmsllc@proton.me. As she works during the day, Amy said customers can leave a message and she will return their call.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 November 2023 at 9:27 pm
MEDINA – The 15th annual Parade of Lights is shaping up to be one of the best to date, with more than 40 floats expected and four marching bands.
Todd Bensley has been named grand marshal of the Parade of Lights on Nov. 25 in Medina.
Parade chairman Jim Hancock and committee member David Stacey have announced the grand marshal for this year’s parade will be Todd Bensley, a Medina native and history teacher at Medina High School.
“Our planning committee was unanimous in our selection of Todd,” Hancock said. “We always try to select a local person who has contributed to our community, and Todd certainly fits the bill.”
Bensley is an active participant in many community events and activities. He has coached T-ball and powder puff, is former president of the Medina Historical Society, former board member of Lee-Whedon Library, former planning board and village board member and author of “Boxwood Cemetery: Where the Past is Present,” with proceeds going to the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.
Currently, Bensley is village historian, and board member of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. He co-chairs Boxwood at Night, conducts gravestone cleaning seminars, supervises student volunteers to help clean the cemetery, conducts tours, assists in resetting headstones, helps with chapel renovations, assists with other events in the cemetery and is liaison to the Boxwood Cemetery Commission.
In addition, he volunteers at the Visitors’ Center in downtown Medina, is a member of the steering committee for renovations at Lee-Whedon Library and coordinates an annual Community Service Fair to connect high school students with local non-profit organizations.
“When Jim Hancock asked me to the grand marshal, I was shocked,” Bensley said. “It is such a great honor to be selected. Of course, none of it would be possible without the support of my family, especially my wife Nicole.”
Bensley continued to say he loves the Medina community and is very proud of all they have accomplished in the last couple of decades.
“There are so many other people who are deserving of this honor, and I am humbled to be chosen as this year’s grand marshal,” he said.
As in previous years, the parade will immediately follow fireworks over downtown at 5:45 p.m. by Young Explosives of Rochester.
Hancock said there is still time to enter a float by logging on to their website at www.christmasinmedina.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2023 at 4:12 pm
List is $3 million over $4.5 million grant; State officials now will decide which projects get funded
Kimberly Baptiste of the Bergmann engineering, architecture and planning firm led the committee in discussing potential projects for the NY Forward program, including upgrades to the Canal Village Farmers’ Market on West Center Street. The Farmers’ Market project is recommended by the committee for $675,000 of the NY Forward grant.
MEDINA – A local planning committee reviewing projects for Medina’s $4.5 million New York Forward grant has agreed on a list of projects that are about $3 million over the funding limit of the program. State officials will have the ultimate say in picking the projects and the funding amount.
Medina had nearly $9 million in funding requests. It removed five projects with a combined request level of $1.3 million. That brings the total funding requests to $7,525,000.
The projects that were removed from NY Forward consideration are still strong proposals and should be included for other funding initiatives in the near future, Kimberly Baptiste of the Bergmann firm, advised the committee from Medina during a meeting on Oct. 24.
“Those that weren’t included could be pipeline projects in a strategic investment plan for other grants,” Baptiste said.
The Medina committee reviewed the goals set by the state for the NY Forward program, and noted that more housing is a top priority of the program.
The group decided to remove these projects from NY Forward:
Avanti Pizza Upper Floors Renovation at 500 Main St. ($600,000 request) – This project would renovate the upper floors of the Avanti Pizza building into a mix of residential and office space.
Medina Theatre Renovations at 601-611 Main St. ($150,000 request) – This project would be the first phase of a larger effort to upgrade the Medina Theatre. This project would renovate the existing marquee and facade, make cosmetic improvements to the theatre, and prep the building for a future restaurant and conference space.
433 Main Street Apartment Creation ($300,000 request) – This project would create a new two-bedroom apartment on the upper floors of the building at 433 Main Street.
Bunkhaus Renovations at 511 West Ave. ($100,000 request) – This project would renovate the Bunkhaus Hostel to create 4 one-bedroom apartments targeted for short- and long-term rental housing for professionals, snowboards, and/or tourists.
Canal Basin Park Gateway Signage ($150,000) – This project will install two large, gateway signs at the Mill Street entrance to the Canal Basin (off Main Street) and at the East Center Street alleyway entrance to the basin.
There are 17 projects recommended for potential NY Forward funding. Baptiste and Bergmann staff worked with the applicants for precise numbers on the cost of their projects, and the funding requests.
Here are the projects and the funding amounts recommended by the local planning committee:
Renovate and Expand the Canal Village Farmer’s Market ($675,000) – This project will update the existing farmer’s market building at 127 West Center Street, construct a pole barn for additional vendor space, and create a green space on site.
Create the Canal View Bar/Tasting Area Overlooking the Erie Canal ($120,000) – This project will create a bar/serving area with an exterior patio/deck overlooking the Canal Basin in the rear of the Modern Mercantile building at 135 East Center St.
Renovate the Upper Floor Apartments at 409-413 Main Street ($370,000) – This project will renovate the second floor at 409-413 Main Street into 3 one-bedroom apartments and 1 two-bedroom apartment.
Make the Community Space at the Knights of Columbus ADA Accessible ($130,000) – This project will install a lift to make the second floor event space at the Knights of Columbus building ADA accessible and will also improve the front facade.
Create Apartments and Renovate the Commercial Spaces at 424 Main St. ($225,000) – This project will build out 4 market-rate apartments on the second and third floors of 424 Main Street, in addition to updating the ground floor commercial spaces and the front facade.
Create a Community Arts and Crafts Workshop and Gift Store ($175,000) – This project will create an arts and crafts workshop at 509 Main Street that is open to the community with a gift store inside.
Create a Community Space and Apartment at Author’s Note Bookstore ($200,000) – This project will create a two-bedroom apartment at 519 Main Street in addition to a small community meeting space that will be open to the public.
Create an Apartment and Renovate the Commercial Storefront at 521 Main St. ($120,000) –This project will convert the second floor commercial space at 521 Main Street into an apartment unit and will also upgrade the front facade.
Redevelop the Walsh Hotel ($560,000) – This project will complete a larger project to convert the upper floors of the Walsh Hotel into 22 studio and one-bedroom apartments.
Create the Arenite Brewing Company on the Canal ($500,000) – This project will create a microbrewery with tasting room and outdoor seating overlooking the canal at 339 Main Street, complete with a rooftop solar installation.
Upgrade the Hart House Hotel ($500,000) – This project will upgrade the Hart House Hotel with new amenities including a spa, outdoor event space, gourmet gastropub, formal lobby with cafe space, and facade improvements.
Renovate and Expand the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library ($500,000) – This project is part of a larger project to expand the library with new and updated spaces including a children’s area, tutoring rooms, meeting rooms and a quiet room.
Implement Downtown Wayfinding Signage ($250,000) – This project will implement a system of directional, informational, and interpretive signage at key locations and destinations throughout downtown.
Improve Connectivity and Usability of the Downtown Public Parking Lot ($1,000,000) – This project will re-design the public parking lot behind Main Street to improve circulation, add parking spaces, and create safer connections for pedestrians to nearby destinations.
Enhance the East Center Street Alleyway Connection ($400,000) – This project will refresh the alleyway that connects the public parking lot across East Center Street to the Canal Basin with pavement designs, landscaping, lighting and signage.
Transform Canal Basin Park into a Waterfront Gateway ($1,500,000) – This project will transform the parking lot along the canal into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities.
Create a Small Project Grant Fund ($300,000) – This project will create a pool of funding to support business and property owners with smaller-scale projects like facade improvements, window replacement, and other repairs.
The list will now be submitted to the state for its review with a funding announcement expected in the spring for $4.5 million total.
