NYS Considers $20 Million Vision for Port Jervis
A recent community brainstorming event with about 15 people resulted in a $20 million vision for Port Jervis. It was assembled and submitted last week for the 2021 NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant application by Valerie Maginsky, executive director of Port Jervis Community Development Agency.
Most suggestions came from a Riverside Park picnic table discussion, guided by Jeremy Shannon, of Deerpark. He initiated the Carbon Positive Port Jervis 2026 project aimed at having Port Jervis generate more energy than it takes from the electric grid by 2026.
Maginsky encouraged creation of a “transformative project with specific boundaries,” that would be conducive to “sustainability, resiliency, good employment opportunities and long term investment.” The plan in the DRI application envelops the downtown area.
“The application contains four transformational projects that include the Port Jervis Transportation History Center (THC) at the Erie turntable, a new Resource and Visitor Center on the current municipal lot at Pike and Hammond St., an overhead pedestrian bridge above the railroad tracks at Fowler St., and an elevated ADA accessible Delaware River Walkway in Riverside Park,
The history center would include 20 train cars with interactive displays and one that could be used as a film and music venue. A shelter would provide cover for some of this equipment. Rides for children could be added later.
A new resource and visitor center on what is now a municipal parking lot at Pike and Hammond St. would be a “state-of-the-art sustainable building” that displays Port Jervis amenities and has classes in new technologies and sustainable construction methods, a business incubator, entrepreneurial supports and health, wellness and self-improvement classes.
An elevated walkway along the Delaware would offer views of the River to one side and downtown on the other side and lead to activities in the park and beyond. An overhead pedestrian bridge above the railroad tracks would allow a parking area by Riverside Park from which people could easily walk downtown. That route is otherwise impeded by the train tracks. City streets would get electric vehicle chargers, bike lanes, more seating, trees and greenery.
Visitors arriving on the Metro-North railroad could, with residents, ride an electric bus that follows the 2.25 mile walking loop around the city, stopping at stores, eateries, recreation venues, medical offices and senior citizen residences.
All applications from the seven-county Mid-Hudson area eligible for the grant will be reviewed and prioritized by the grant evaluators for a fall or early winter decision, Maginsky said.
“In each region, there will be either one $20 million, or two separate $10 million awards,” she said. “Led by a professional planning company supplied by the state
, the projects submitted within a winning application will go through an intensive community-based strategic planning process. The final projects, shape, size, scope and components will result from this process.”
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