Members of the Jamestown Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee discussing possible projects to be funded by the $10 million state program. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The Jamestown Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee is one step closer to finalizing a list of projects to receive a portion of $10 million in state funding.

On Tuesday, the Local Planning Committee met throughout the day to continue narrowing down the list of projects that will receive funding through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program. The committee first heard presentations from stakeholders involved with each project and then the committee met to further discuss each project.

The list of projects the committee discussed was narrowed to 15, which was done through feedback from the first two public community meetings held in November and December. The 15 projects have a total preliminary figure of more than $27 million, which needed to be cut to be between $9.7 million-$15 million.

The projects discussed included National Comedy Center gap funding; former Key Bank Building redevelopment; downtown programming and activities; excursion train infrastructure and depot; Hilton Double Tree Hotel refurbishment; Greater Jamestown Riverwalk improvements; streetscape and pedestrian improvements; street redesign and circulation improvements; Reg Lenna Center for the Arts master plan; Jamestown Brewing Company development; a destination farmers market and food hub; Little Theater upgrades; Furniture Mart Building redevelopment; Jackson Center upgrades and National Comedy Center-Northwest Arena connector.

Some of the projects for the first time were discussed publicly like the Furniture Mart Building redevelopment. The project, which is in its initial development stage, could be to develop a 100 hotel rooms, 40-50 apartments and for additional parking. The committee members agreed the building, which is located on the corner of Second and Main streets, is an important part of downtown redevelopment with its close proximity to the future National Comedy Center location.

However, committee members were concerned about the lack of financial information about the project and if downtown Jamestown needs an additional 100 hotel rooms.

Another new project discussed included the National Comedy Center-Northwest Arena connector, which would provide gift shop space and a place to eat for visitors to the future attraction. Concerns include questions about utilities along West Second Street between the two facilities. Also, whether there is a need to provide everything in one location for comedy center visitors, with the hope of encouraging visitors to visit other downtown locations.

After each project was discussed, it was determined more information about some of the projects is needed before a final list of projects can be determined. Officials from the consultants leading the process, HR&A Advisors and Highland Planning, said they would continue to gather more information and schedule conference calls with the Local Planning Committee to continue discussing the final project list.

The next public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, which is scheduled to be where the list of priority projects will be revealed before finalizing Jamestown Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan.

For more information on Jamestown’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, visit ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/western-new-york-jamestown.