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Pedestrian traffic has increased in downtown Jamestown since
the opening of the National Comedy Center, but what about boat traffic?
Boats
traveling to the Chadakoin River basin behind the National Comedy
Center and in proximity to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities may
be in the city’s future thanks to a partnership between several
organizations.
This spring and summer, the Gebbie Foundation and the Chautauqua
County Industrial Development Agency partnered to fund a bathymetric
survey done by Twan Leenders, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural
History president, of the water depth from McCrea Point Park to the
Chadakoin River basin in downtown Jamestown.
Mark Geise, IDA CEO, said the bathymetric survey showed there were no
major impediments below the water keeping boats from traveling from
Chautauqua Lake to the Chadakoin River basin down by the pedestrian
bridges along the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk.
Greg Edwards, Gebbie Foundation CEO, said Leenders did a monthly
analysis of the Chadakoin River water this spring and summer, and came
to the conclusion that the water is navigable by the majority of
watercraft. He said there are a few height limitations, mainly an old
bridge near the Jamestown BPU, but Edwards said 80% of vessels could
make it to the basin. “The channel is open to virtually all watercraft,” he said. “We
knew boats, like the Chautauqua Bell, could make it from the lake to
McCrea Point. There is 5 to 12 feet of water there, but we needed to
find out about the urban area from McCrea Point Park to the basin.”
Geise and Edwards said there are a few other challenges like the flow
of water and where some areas the river narrows that will need to be
improved before boats can travel to downtown Jamestown. “There is nothing to keep this from happening if we build the infrastructure to make this happen,” Geise said.
Following the bathymetric survey, the IDA and Gebbie Foundation
officials decided to produce a request for proposals to hire a business
to develop a strategic business plan to bring the idea of attracting
boaters off of Chautauqua Lake to downtown Jamestown. Geise said the
business plan would include where docks would be installed, where buoys
need to be located and a water barrier to keep boats from being near the
Warner Dam. “The business plan will establish objectives
like site conditions, marketing opportunities, physical structures that
need to be done away with or added and environmental conditions,” Edwards said. “There
will be a menu of projects and they will be prioritized. There will be a
number of projects and it will take a number of years to invest
strategically with grants.”
Edwards said local officials are hoping to have the strategic
business plan completed this spring so they can submit a consolidated
funding application to possibly receive state grants through the
Regional Economic Development Council program in December 2020. Geise
said the estimated cost for the strategic business plan will be between
$40,000 to $60,000. “The strategic business plan will identify projects that need to be done,” Geise said. “What
they look like. How much they will cost. It will identify funding
sources and then prioritize projects so we do them in the correct
order.”
Geise said it will take three to five years to turn the idea into reality. “It’s something we’ve been talking about for
a long time, but we really didn’t know what the challenges were until
we did the (bathymetric) survey,” Geise said. “There
are no major impediments, so we are excited about it. It’s about
bringing people from the lake to the downtown to spend money in our
community. If we can pull people from Chautauqua Lake to take advantage
of all the great things to do, not only in Jamestown, but along the
river , it’s good for all of us.”
Edwards said increasing activity around the Chadakoin River downtown
has been a goal since the creation of the first Urban Design Plan in
2006. He said, even with several projects along the riverfront being
completed since 2006, Urban Design Plan 2.0 also called for the
continued development of the riverfront downtown. “The more you can do to increase activity with the river is a good thing,” Edwards said. “We want to build on the proven successes.”
Edwards said the future of the Chadakoin Riverfront continues to be
bright, with more projects in the future to go along with already
completed developments like the National Comedy Center. “It was an area (Chadakoin Riverfront) where no wanted to be,”
Edward said, referring to the debris and brush that was in the area
before the Comedy Center Park and Greater Jamestown Riverwalk extensions
were developed. “Now, (the Chadakoin Riverfront) is a focal point.”
Spend
a day steeped in environmental consciousness; learn about
sustainability, conservation, and have fun celebrating Wild America.
Browse the juried fine nature art and craft show vendor stalls, where
beautiful, high-quality nature art is for sale. Taste food inspired by
local ingredients and vote for your favorite cook-off competitor.
Well-known authors, speakers, and conservationists will host classes,
workshops, and live animal meet-and-greets at this all-ages event. The
festival is co-hosted by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural
History, whose gallery and trails are in Peterson’s nearby hometown of
Jamestown. // LEARN MORE
Learn
and laugh as Chautauqua Institution again partners with the National
Comedy Center for a week exploring how comedy changes us and, in turn,
society because comedy can do more than hold up a mirror to our world;
it can, in fact, change it. Explore topics such as: What does your sense
of humor reveal about you? How can we be challenged by things we don’t
find funny? Examine the challenging intersection of free speech,
political correctness, humor, and what we can learn from that
uncomfortable space. The interfaith lecture theme for the week is,
“What’s So Funny About Religion?” // LEARN MORE
July 31 | Stand-Up BS with Lewis Black – 6pm at the National Comedy Center Hologram Theater, Downtown Jamestown *Tickets for sale via the National Comedy Center
The oldest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi returns for its 75th year!
This rain or shine tradition includes seven different PRCA
(Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) events, including bareback and
saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, barrel riding, plus
both team and tie-down roping. Arrive early for the bbq and midway fun.
All proceeds benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department. Fireworks will
be on Wednesday and Saturday. // LEARN MORE
This
three-day festival showcases the best of Lake Erie Wine Country and New
York State wines, agricultural producers, breweries, and distilleries
from across the state. Enjoy wine and cooking demonstrations, live
music, regional artisan vendors, and a classic car show. Multi-day and
designated driver tickets are available. // LEARN MORE
The
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her
hometown – Jamestown, NY, to be a destination for the celebration of the
comedic carts and to showcase new comedic talent from around the
country. The festival, which is presented by the National Comedy Center,
attracts more than 15,000 US-wide attendees annually who are looking to
share in the laughter. Now in its 28th year, the festival has featured
comedy’s greatest stars and rising young comedians, including Jerry
Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Trevor Noah, Lily Tomlin, Jay Leno, Amy
Schumer, Brian Regan, Lewis Black, W. Kamau Bell, Jim Gaffigan, and more
than one hundred other comedic artists.
2019
Festival Headliners include Sebastian Maniscalco and John Mulaney.
Catch them at Jamestown’s Northwest Arena in addition to Brian Regan’s
Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater performance, Comedy Late Night,
Stand-Up Showcase, FREE Kids Comedy, The Lucy and Ethel Show, and more.
Participate in Lewis Black’s Stand-Up Workshop, book a Lucille Ball
Hometown or Cemetery Tour, Lucille’s Birthday Bash, or participate in
grape stomping and chocolate wrapping. Tickets and the Comple Schedule
are available via the National Comedy Center. // LEARN MORE
The
Dunkirk Great Lakes Offshore Grand Prix returns to Chautauqua County
for a second time. The inaugural event in 2018 was a success, with free
spectator viewing areas along the revitalized picturesque Lake Erie
waterfront area that offered spectacular views over the racecourse. Last
year, spectators enjoyed the unique vantage points at the Dunkirk Light
House Park on Point Gratiot along with weekend festivities including
live music from seven different bands, a variety of vendors and
historical reenactments of the America Civil War. The 2018 Dunkirk Great
Lakes Offshore Grand Prix featured multi-camera course coverage and
drone footage produced by American Performance Media.
Food
lovers will gather for a week-long festival featuring great food and
craft beverages. Bestor Plaza will again come alive with a diverse array
of food and drinks prepared by the best regional restaurants, farms,
wineries, and breweries. Food Festival Only Tickets are available but
guests are invited to explore the full breadth of Chautauqua programming
this week, themed "Exploring Race and Culture in America with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center. // LEARN MORE
This
enchanting late summer music festival held on the same grounds as the
Great Blue Heron Music Festival is not to be missed. This year’s lineup
features more than 30 bands representing an inclusive & varied
showing of national, regional and local artists covering genres from
electronic, jam, rock, funk, Americana, bluegrass and indie. Tent
camping, car camping, and RV camping on the grounds is allowed but
please note that a special permit is required for RVs/campers. Food and
artisan vendors will be set up near the festival stages. // LEARN MORE
Request a FREE 2019 Chautauqua County, NY Travel Guide
Plan
your adventure in Western New York with lake area vacations, an
abundance of outdoor recreation experiences, wineries, cultural centers
like the Chautauqua Institution, museums like the National Comedy
Center, and fun-filled events all year long. With four distinct seasons,
there are plenty of reasons to visit the Chautauqua-Lake Erie area any
time of year.
Request
a FREE copy of the "I Love NY" Chautauqua County Travel Guide, a
96-page, four-color travel guide and foldout map using the form provided
here. Or, view the digital Travel Guide using the link below.
