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The Chadakoin River looks a lot different in 2026 than it did in 2016.
Comedy Park behind the National Comedy Center is beautiful. Two pedestrian bridges have been constructed. Kayakers are seen on the river, something that seemed like a heavy lift 10 years ago, while projects to clear brush, debris and vegetation from the Chadakoin River's shores have made the area virtually unrecognizable over the course of a decade.
Now, city officials have a chance to build on that work.
Projects included in the city's DRI application include a performance area including tiered natural seating for outdoor events, signature gardens with native plantings, shaded seating and a scenic overlook, enhanced public art, a watercraft rental kiosk to support recreational access for kayaks, canoes and water bikes; a water taxi linking downtown Jamestown to the economy of Chautauqua Lake, ecological elements to enhance the river's natural and cultural history; and programs, signs and improved Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.
The DRI application also includes discussion of plans to further expand the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk east toward Institute Street and west toward the Jamestown Skatepark and McCrae Point Park and redeveloping the former Tabone Paving site at 145 Fairmount Ave. into a new waterfront destination that could include an area to launch kayaks and watercraft, restaurants and vendors, an area for live music and entertainment, space for lawn games and seating areas with decorative lighting and fire pits.
Those projects come to a total price tag of $5.7 million – which means the Local Planning Committee for the DRI funding will have to prioritize bits and pieces of the Chadakoin River items as they divvy up the latest $10 million infusion from the state. One thing hasn't changed from the last time Jamestown was awarded a Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant – downtown has a lot of needs as Jamestown continues trying to reinvent the central business district. That means the Chadakoin River will be competing with a lot of other projects for a finite pool of money.
We mention 2016 at the start of this piece because, that August in this space, we thought more should be done in preparation for the National Comedy Center's opening to activate the Chadakoin River behind the center. At the time, we thought more kayaking, paddleboats and a schedule of special events along the river could help keep people downtown longer.
Ten years later, the city has another chance to invest money along the shores of the Chadakoin River. The questions are how much and on which of the many projects the city has identified?