The new sidewalk recently installed where stairs used to be located along West Second Street between Washington and Cherry streets. The stairs were removed because they were in disrepair and were considered a safety hazard. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

There is a new section of sidewalk along West Second Street making the street safer for pedestrians.

On Wednesday, the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency approved a contract with S. Tabone Construction for $14,600 to replace a former stairway with a new section of sidewalk. Vince DeJoy, city development director, said the stair section was in disrepair and was considered a safety hazard.

In other JURA business, the group also passed a unanimous consent resolution to enter into an agreement with the Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity for the sale of properties located at the former 27 Norton Ave., and an adjacent lot on Summit Avenue for $5,000. DeJoy said, prior to the meeting, that a new house is being constructed on the property and will be the first property to utilize the Local Property Tax Abatement Incentive Redevelopment of Vacant and Condemned Properties program.

In 2017, city officials approved of the new tax abatement program for the construction of new structure on a parcel were a house had been demolished.

The abatement covers 11 years, with zero percent for years one through three; 20 percent for years four and five; 40 percent for years six and seven; 60 percent for years eight and nine; 80 percent for years 10 and 11; and 100 percent starting year 12.

DeJoy said city officials will be making a future announcement at the property about the utilization of the new tax abatement program for the construction of the new house.

The board also approved of the streetscape project along Third Street between Pine and Spring streets. The project, which was finished before Aug. 1, was one of the 10 approved Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects the city received $10 million for from the state to complete.

City officials received $610,000 for three pilot streetscape projects, with the other two to be done along West Third Street between Washington and Cherry streets and along Cherry Street between Third and Fourth streets.

The Third Street streetscape project included sidewalk removal, which was replaced with decorative brick; new trees, the removal of old tree planters and a heated sidewalk in front of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

The board also approved a change order for the same project during the meeting, which was completed by R. Patti Concrete & Excavating for $129,861.

The board also approved a resolution to repay the Gebbie Foundation $15,000 for a loan they provided the city. DeJoy said in 2012, the Gebbie Foundation loaned $26,000 to the city for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor, said the Gebbie Foundation approved of receiving less than what they originally loaned the city. He also said the funding the city provided the foundation for the loan was used toward demolishing a former train station building near the National Comedy Center.