Like a bad penny, the idea of a public parklet underneath the North Main Street railroad viaduct keeps finding its way onto City Council agendas.

City officials are asking for the council’s approval to apply for a grant to go along with money the city has already received. The city is looking for $100,000 to go along with $143,000 in BPU/CCPEG/HUD funding and $67,175 in ARPA funding. The first phase, which is lighting on the site, is the first priority for the project. Improving lighting in the area makes a lot of sense for public safety. Of course, the best thing for public safety in the area to happen in years was the fencing that was installed last fall, but lighting the area would be beneficial with two businesses on either side of North Main Street closed.

But, we still have a hard time getting behind the idea of a public parklet with seating underneath the viaduct. Let’s not forget that the city installed fencing in the area shortly after its second time cleaning up after a homeless encampment that had been using the viaduct for shelter for most of the summer of 2024. Removing the fencing simply opens the area up again for what we saw last summer. We still haven’t heard a good plan keeping the parklet from becoming an eyesore. The homeless issue has been quieter, but by all indications county officials aren’t seeing a decrease in the number of homeless – the homeless just aren’t out in the open as they were in 2024. We’ve been here before. Remember, 2023 was a quiet year after homeless encampments began showing up in the viaduct and riverwalk area in 2022.

The parklet is supposed to improve pedestrian connection from downtown to Brooklyn Square and provide an amenity for the Chadakoin Riverwalk. It’s great in theory. But just a year ago that same area was a mess. What has happened in the last year that should make funders think the area is ready for an investment? In addition to the closure of Blackstone Ney, Rite Aid and the uncertain future of the former Oriental Star restaurant building, the Arcade Building remains undeveloped while a former luncheonette near the viaduct remains closed as well. This isn’t an area that screams for a new amenity. It screams for additional private investment that may bring foot traffic that the city then wants to serve with a parklet.

Jamestown isn’t lacking for pocket parks downtown. It certainly isn’t lacking for such amenities near the Riverwalk and the new Tim Horton’s restaurant in Brooklyn Square.

This area needs improved security lighting. That’s all that should be done at this point.