[Editor's Note: This editorial is a follow-up discussion to a story published on March 2, 2014, about the National Comedy Center.]

Cities frequently fall prey to the seduction of the “magic bullet,” the project that promises to solve a slew of civic ailments in one fell swoop.

From sports stadiums, to convention centers, to flashy new museums, such projects are notorious for failing to live up to their supersized expectations. And more and more evidence suggests that public investments in such projects have a track record of disappointing returns.

There’s something quite different, though, about the National Comedy Center, the big new project now underway in Jamestown spearheaded by the Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy. Continue reading →

The Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market represents a type of “flexible” retail space that JRC and others are trying to cultivate in Jamestown—spaces where entrepreneurs can test new products and services in a low-risk, low-overhead environment.

You can read more about flexible retail space and “pop-up” retail in our latest Renaissance Reflections column in The Post-Journal.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) is proud to announce the winners from Jamestown’s Snowball Express Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration that was held on Friday, December 6 in downtown Jamestown. There were approximately 120 groups who participated, with over 200 units in the parade.

Continue reading →

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) will present “Jamestown’s Snowball Express” Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, sponsored by The Resource Center and Lutheran Jamestown this Friday at 6:30pm.  The parade will travel from Monroe Street east on Third Street to Tracy Plaza. Jamestown Harmony Express will be providing a free, live pre-parade concert for parade-goers on Tracy Plaza at 6:00pm. The Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at the beginning of the parade prior to the singing of our National Anthem by Sergeant First Class Keith Stam. The Jamestown Cycle Shop Snowball Drop and fireworks show will be held following Santa’s arrival at the intersection of East Third Street and Spring Street.

Downtown restaurants will be open prior to the parade for dinner. Lisciandro’s Restaurant located on North Main Street will be open extended hours along with Forte serving their special blend of popcorn on East Third Street.

Continue reading →

Greg Lindquist, JRC Executive Director; Denise Jones, TRC Chief Financial Officer and Associate Executive Director; Matt Hanley, City of Jamestown; Tiffani Conti, JRC Event and Programming Associate; Patricia Eckwahl, Lutheran Director of Marketing and Tom Holt, Lutheran President and CEO.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) has announced that The Resource Center and Lutheran Jamestown will come together as co-sponsors of “Jamestown’s Snowball Express” Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration on December 6.

“The Resource Center has been an exceptional partner for downtown events over the past nine years, including the annual Christmas Parade,” said Tiffani Conti, the JRC’s Event and Programming Associate. “We are honored to have Lutheran Jamestown join this team effort in providing a signature event for Jamestown and surrounding communities.”

Continue reading →

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is proud to announce the 2013 Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration theme: “Jamestown’s Snowball Express.”

“The event’s planning committee has decided on this universal theme to connect the story of The Polar Express with Jamestown’s refurbished Gateway Train Station and traditional downtown holiday imagery,” said Tiffani Conti, the JRC’s Event and Programming Associate. “We are very excited to see how parade entrants and downtown businesses incorporate this theme into their decorations.”

The 2013 parade will be held on Friday, December 6, 2013, in downtown Jamestown.  Parade line-up will begin promptly at 5:00pm on Third Street between Monroe Avenue and Hallock Street, with the parade stepping off at 6:30pm and traveling east on Third Street to Tracy Plaza. The parade will conclude by 8:00pm.

Continue reading →