On Tuesday, the Jamestown Planning Commission discussed the proposed plans with officials from the Jamestown Renaissance Corp., Gebbie Foundation and Leaf + Stone Landscape Architecture.

Frank Besse, JRC urban core director, said it has been a couple of years since Potter’s Terrace was closed due to safety concerns. The wooden structure at Potter’s Terrace, which is also known as AIDS Memorial Park or Wood Park, had become unstable and, with an 8-foot hole underneath it, the park was fenced off to keep people from the structure.

Earlier this year, the wooden structure was demolished and the eight-foot deep hole below was filled in with dirt.

Besse said JRC, who is the property owner, has been working with Joe Rollman of Leaf + Stone Landscape Architecture on plans for the location. Rollman said the focus will be on creating a space where people can sit and relax while downtown.

The possible future design of Potter’s Terrace along East Third Street in Jamestown. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“The downtown core is very urban. Not a lot of green space or open space,” Rollman said.

He said the concept will be to install bench seating, picnic tables, landscaping and tree planters.

“We want this spot to be the meeting spot downtown,” he said.

Rollman said they are still working on a budget, but hope to start construction in the spring of 2022.

Greg Edwards, chief executive officer, said this has been a collaborative effort between the city, JRC and Gebbie Foundation. He is hopeful the new green space and sitting area at Potter’s Terrace will go well with the plans to create a visitor’s center at 300 N. Main St., which the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau is in the process of creating.

The Jamestown Planning Commission is slated to vote on the site plan for Potter’s Terrace at its next meeting Oct. 19.