MAYVILLE – Several projects are in motion in Chautauqua County, and the National Comedy Center is leading the way.

During a Wednesday meeting of the County Legislature’s Planning and Economic Development Committee, members received details on the project, from the design to the timeline. Tom Benson, National Comedy Center chairman, told members the idea originated when Lucille Ball left behind a request.

“What she explicitly said was please use our brand name to create something way beyond a tribute to us – create something that isn’t about Lucy, but a tribute to the world of comedy,” Benson said.

The attraction, which will be located at the corner of Washington and East Second streets, has evolved from a concept to a full-bodied plan of fruition on the attraction. Benson said the center will not present visitors with a static environment similar to a museum, but an attraction aiming to recognize the different likes of visitors admiring comedians of a wide variety.

“Designers said, ‘If you building something like (a museum), you will fail’,” he said, adding there needs to be constant engagement from local and outside residents. “People need to have different experiences (each time).”

The attraction could reflect what Canalside is to Buffalo and the visitors frequenting there, Benson said, adding that the attraction has brought optimism and positive thinking to the Buffalo area for the first time in a while.

“We’ve got to change that same tune mentally,” Benson said. “We need to have people that want to be here and live here.”

A study on the economic impact shows approximately 114,000 people a year will be coming to see the National Comedy Center when open, and Benson said it’s a conservative figure.

Laying out a timeline to the committee, Benson said a groundbreaking is slated for August when Jerry Seinfeld makes a visit to Jamestown. The Comedy Center is set to open August 2016. Benson said they are continuing to receive feedback from comedians.

“This is where comedy lives,” Benson said.