Planning Commission hears Chadakoin River, viaduct updates
The waters of the Chadakoin River were still Tuesday, but activity to the area should pick up next summer when Chadakoin River South Basin Activation Project construction begins. The city Board of Public Utilities and Panzarella Park are pictured in the background. P-J photo by John Whittaker
This area of the Chadakoin River, located near Panzarella Park behind the Board of Public Utilities, is slated to see several projects begin construction next year. City Planning Commission members heard an update on the Chadakoin River South Basin Activation Project during a recent meeting. P-J photo by John Whittaker
The waters of the Chadakoin River were still Tuesday, but activity to the area should pick up next summer when Chadakoin River South Basin Activation Project construction begins. The city Board of Public Utilities and Panzarella Park are pictured in the background. P-J photo by John Whittaker
This area of the Chadakoin River, located near Panzarella Park behind the Board of Public Utilities, is slated to see several projects begin construction next year. City Planning Commission members heard an update on the Chadakoin River South Basin Activation Project during a recent meeting. P-J photo by John Whittaker
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Two city projects – one of them new amenities along the Chadakoin River – are continuing forward.
City planner Jason Kulaszewski recently gave an update on the projects to the city Planning Commission.
The two projects that Kulaszewski gave updates on were the Chadakoin River's South Basin Activation Project, and the Main Street Viaduct Placemaking project. Requests For proposals have been sent out for the South Basin Activation Project, and three responses were received from different companies.
"Those projects are still under review, but we got their responses back, so that's just an update on the South Basin Project that we reviewed here, and it's moving forward," Kulaszewski said.
The project is funded by the state Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. The project involves a beach launch for public access to the river, a floating accessible kayak launch designed for inclusivity, installation of a water safety barrier to ensure safety in aquatic areas, improvements to dock/wharf facilities at Panzarella Park, construction of a permeable paver parking area to manage stormwater runoff effectively, erection of a pavilion for community gatherings and events, development of asphalt and concrete walkways for pedestrian access, and installation of lighting fixtures, signs for navigation and information, site furniture for comfort and landscaping to enhance aesthetic appeal.
The contract period is expected to begin with a notice to proceed as early as late November with substantial completion by Sept. 6, 2027 and final completion by Oct. 31, 2027.
As for the Main Street Viaduct Placemaking project, Kulaszewski said this project began before he officially stepped into the city planner role with most of the funding being secured before then. An RFP has been put out for this project as well, following the project receiving funding from the New York State Dormitory Authority. The viaduct is by the Riverwalk near the Arcade building, and that RFP is due back November 13.
"That will be for design and build, so we'll be doing community engagement for the design and what that would look like," Kulaszewski said. "The initial concepts included some placemaking with lighting and murals, potential opportunities for like a food truck location, a food truck station down there. Those were in the conceptual drawings that were done before I joined the team, but that process is also underway."
The DOD has also received 27 responses back from artists to help design a mural planned to be placed on the southeast wall by the Washington Street Bridge on Harrison Street, which came in last week as well. Funding for that was received last year by the city from the Chautauqua County's 3% occupancy tax fund.
These projects remain under review by the DOD, but Kulaszewski said they will continue to bring updates to the planning commission, especially for feedback on the mural and what that could look like and community engagement ideas.