Standing, Bret Nolan Collazzi, HR&A Advisors; leading one of the public groups in a discussing on what projects should receive funding through the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Earlier this year, state officials announced Jamestown would be receiving $10 million to enhance the city’s urban core. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The National Comedy Center appears to be one of the projects the public wants funded through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

On Tuesday, the second public meeting was held for Jamestown’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that will invest $100 million into 10 communities, one municipality from each of the Regional Economic Development Councils. The initiative is to assist communities with transformative housing, economic development, transportation and community projects to attract and retain residents, visitors and businesses.

During the public meeting, about 50 members of the public separated into five groups to discuss more than 35 possible city projects that could receive a portion of the $10 million in funding.

After the group discussion, they each listed several projects or ideas they thought should receive funding. The project mentioned more than any other was the National Comedy Center.

The National Comedy Center is being constructed on the corner of West Second and Washington streets. The center is a nonprofit that embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown of Jamestown. The team of stakeholders in the National Comedy Center project includes the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy; the Gebbie Foundation; the Oishei Foundation; the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Lenna Foundation and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The visitor experience has been designed by world-renowned creative firms Jack Rouse Associates and interactive specialist Local Projects. Clark Patterson Lee is the lead architect for the project. The center will be a 28,000-square-foot facility, with construction estimated to cost around $20 million. E.E. Austin & Son of Falconer is the general contractor for the project. AECOM Technical Services Inc. provided the economic feasibility analysis that projects the center will have a $23 million annual economic impact on the region, which will result in an estimated 114,000 visitors each year. The National Comedy Center is designed to be a national attraction based on the celebration of comedy: the craft and its contributors, and embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown of Jamestown.

The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk project was another project mentioned several times. People said improvements to the Riverwalk and greater access to the river, possibly through ideas like a kayak launch, would enhance Jamestown’s downtown.

One of the projects on the list included the Riverwalk illumination project. Earlier this year, city officials announced the possibility of lighting up different landmarks along the Riverwalk. The plan is to possibly light up nine locations, which included the Riverwalk BPU coal silo; BPU steam tower; riverfront trees and dock at Panzarella Park; riverfront concrete wall; National Comedy Center; and riverfront trees and dock along the south shore of the Chadakoin River.

Other projects include Washington Street bridge pillar; riverfront trees and dock near the Jamestown Cycle Shop and Friendly’s; and the Main Street Bridge.

In July, city officials announced the project would costs $400,000. City officials applied for a consolidated funding application grant with the state Local Waterfront Revitalization Program through the state Regional Economic Development Council program. Last week, it was announced the city would not be receiving any funding for the Riverwalk illumination project through the regional councils. However, the project could still receive funding through the Downtown Revitialization Initiative. City officials have said there is additional funding support from the Gebbie and Johnson foundations for the project.

The public groups also discussed projects to enhance pedestrian access to downtown and traffic calming along Washington, Second and Fourth streets to slow down vehicle traffic. Adding more green space to downtown was also discussed. The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts master plan to renovate the five buildings along the 100 block of East Third Street was also mentioned. Plans for Reg Lenna upgrades include a modern sprinkler systems, Americans With Disabilities Act improvements and asbestos remediation.

For more information on Jamestown’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, visit ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/western-new-york-jamestown. An online survey is available at the website for people who want to add their input, but could not make it to the public meetings.

The next Downtown Revitalization Local Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17. The last public input session is scheduled for Feb. 16.