Asphalt was cleared from Chautauqua Avenue Monday as part of improvements for the New York State Green Street Retrofit project. Construction from municipal crews and Kingsview Enterprises is expected to be completed by late June. P-J photo by Jay Young

Construction efforts on the Chautauqua Avenue Green Street Retrofit Project were in full swing in the village of Lakewood on Monday afternoon.

Crews had stripped asphalt from the avenue, set up a detour for local traffic, and were in the process of sweeping and clearing debris from the area.

“Kingsview (Enterprises) has started at the four corners with their work,” Department of Public Works Supervisor Tom Pilling told the Lakewood Village Board at a regular meeting Monday.

The project includes plans to install stormwater management features such as trees along the sidewalks with permeable concrete pavers in order to improve water runoff.

The construction plan was drafted by engineering firm Barton & Loguidice, and was made possible thanks to a $695,000 New York state green innovation grant.

The Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance has aided Lakewood in the development of the retrofit, as well as other related stormwater projects.

Equipment was on site from the village, the town of Busti, the village of Celoron and Kingsview Enterprises.

The village is hopeful that construction will be completed by late June, and encourages the community to continue visiting businesses along the avenue during the process.

It remains to be seen if Lakewood will open its beach at Richard O. Hartley Park this summer.

During Monday’s meeting trustee Rich Fischer said he had contacted the parties responsible for beach operations at Long Point State Park and in Mayville.

“I talked to Mayville today, whether they were going to open their beach or not,” Fischer said.

Fischer reported that lifeguard certification classes were an issue for both locations, as some have been canceled due to COVID-19. Lakewood has yet to receive any lifeguard applications for the coming season.