Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of $3.5 Million West Main Street Extension in Lancaster

Press Release

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of the $3.5 million West Main Street extension, a transformative streetscape project in historic downtown Lancaster that received $2.5 million from the Smart Growth Community Fund. The project created a pedestrian-friendly extension of West Main Street and is part an effort to restore a swath of the village's Central Business District that was devastated by fire more than 60 years ago.

"A key part of building New York back better than it was before is investing in our downtown communities and business districts," Governor Cuomo said. "New York State's significant investment into Lancaster's downtown will help transform the heart of this historic village into a modernized, vibrant destination that will bolster the local community and attract new visitors to Western New York for generations to come."

"A healthy downtown is vital to transforming communities into great destinations to work, play and raise a family," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The West Main Street Extension is reshaping the village of Lancaster's downtown for the better and will help generate economic activity by increasing pedestrian access and opening up new opportunities for development. This is another example of Western New York's comeback story building the infrastructure for a better, stronger and smarter tomorrow."

The project extended West Main Street to Aurora Street and converted it to accommodate two-way traffic, sidewalks, on-street parking, light poles, landscape amenities such as planters and benches, and pedestrian crossings. In addition, the project relocated and upgraded utility lines, added easy-to-read street signage to guide visitors, and created a new mini roundabout at the new intersection of West Main Street and Aurora Street.

The project is part of a larger $8.5 million restoration that includes Cayuga Creek Park and two roundabouts.

The goal of the extension is to reimage the village's Central Business District as a vibrant, mixed-use destination that offers a 'shop, stroll, stay' experience for both residents and visitors. The completion of work has created a collective momentum among the village's business owners, the Community Development Corporation, the Beautification Committee, the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, and passionate residents alike to build on the existing, thriving business district in the heart of the Lancaster community.

The area of the West Main Street extension was devastated by a fire more than 60 years ago and the village has struggled to revitalize this swath of its business district ever since. In 2018, Lancaster was awarded up to $2.5 million through the Smart Growth Community Fund -part of the Governor's Buffalo Billion initiative -to advance planned community and economic development.

The ten-acre area selected for revitalization includes historic buildings and a traditional walkable downtown surrounded by residential neighborhoods. Focused on an area that includes a growing arts and cultural hub, the award has already helped to attract new businesses and private development, including a development with six lower-level retail spaces and 18 second-floor apartments.

Western New York applicants to the statewide Downtown Revitalization Initiative in 2017 and 2018 that were not selected for awards were deemed eligible for grants through the Smart Growth Community Fund, a $20 million initiative to fund ready projects in municipalities. These projects include reviving traditional main streets, preserving historic buildings, fostering mixed-use private investment, encouraging walkability, and increasing access to waterfronts and green space.

Funding has been awarded to eight Western New York communities, each receiving up to $2.5 million. These awards were recommended and approved by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, with the selected projects needing to be shovel-ready and completed within one to two years.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "Through the Smart Growth Community Fund, we are encouraging the growth of new businesses, housing, and greenspace that will further diversify and fuel Western New York's transformation. With this funding, downtown Lancaster will continue to build back better than ever, energized by the people who are creating new places to live, work and grow in this historic community."

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "The restoration of the historic downtown business district brings renewed energy and new economic opportunity to the village of Lancaster. New York State's investment in improving the design of the West Main Street area will further enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. I congratulate all of the community leaders that helped make this day possible."

Assembly Member Monica Wallace said, "The West Main Street Extension project is helping to unlock the full potential of the village of Lancaster. By creating premier retail and residential space and improving access to current small businesses on West Main Street, this project will further the transformation of the village's Central Business District into a focal point for recreational and commercial activity in Western New York."

County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "It's exciting to see the completion of this project and the transformative effect it has on Lancaster. In 2015 Erie County invested over $670,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to get the ball rolling on the redevelopment of Main Street, demolishing the blighted former BOCES building and the dead end it created, and opening Main Street to connect to Aurora. That demolition paved the way for today's success and is a good example of how we are revitalizing business corridors in municipalities across Erie County, attracting business and improving quality of life."

Lancaster Mayor Lynne Ruda said, "The West Main Street Extension project has brought a vitality to the Central Business District in the village of Lancaster that has not been seen in 60 years. The Buffalo Billion has transformed the heart of our downtown core in a way we could have never imagined."

As investments in communities across Western New York continue to bolster the region's local economics, the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council is embracing smart growth and downtown redevelopment as core economic goals in its strategic plan, Strategy for Prosperity. Businesses are increasingly locating in or near vibrant, walkable downtowns built on the principles of smart growth where the millennial workforce desires to live, work, and raise a family. Investments in existing downtowns have also been found to reduce local infrastructure and municipal service costs, helping to ease fiscal difficulties.

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