The community was recently invited to a public presentation of the Mayville Strategic Waterfront Activation. The event was put on by the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation and the Mayville Village Board. During the event, residents and business owners heard about the draft master plan for Lakeside Park and the West Lake Road corridor.

“Obviously, you’ve got to fund these projects somehow, but you can’t just go in and ask for money and say, ‘Hey, we’d love to fix up our park.’ The funding agencies are very discerning in the projects they choose for funding and they know when people have done their homework and when they haven’t,” explained Mark Geise, deputy county executive for economic development.

The village is working with Barton & Loguidice to develop its master plan.

Some potential projects included a performing arts facility, a community garden, a spray park/splash pad that would be an ice skating rink in the winter, having outdoor gear rentals available, a constructing a permanent pier with commercial shops, and revitalizing the train depot.

Nicole Cleary, left, and Grace DeSantis, right, with Barton & Loguidice discuss the draft master plan for Mayville’s waterfront.

In terms of park improvements, there was discussions on planting more trees, improving parking, hiking trails, beach enhancements, sidewalk repairs, and an improved boat launch, with an added canoe/kayak boat launch.

“That’s kind of all on the table right now as we’re looking for your thoughts,” said Nicole Cleary with Barton & Loguidice.

After the public presentation, residents were able to examine drawings of potential projects and vote for their preferences.

Tom Carlson, a member of the Chautauqua Town Board, said that since the Lodge at Chautauqua Lake condominium project is not moving forward, he would like to see the public buy the property at 74 Water St. from the Webb Hospitality Group. “If we obtain that piece (of property) it’s going to really I think, connect and keep going with all these plans. We should do that first,” he said.

Ben Webb with Webb Hospitality Group and who is a member of the Mayville Village Board, said he’s open to various options. “We’re happy to take any offers and take a look at it,” he said.

After the meeting, Mayville Mayor Ken Shearer said he was pleased with how the meeting went and hopes plans continue. “We’ve all been down this road before where you get 100, 200 people at a meeting, and then it dwindles and it goes away,” he said. “We want to prevent that and keep it in the forefront and keeping it moving in a positive way.”