Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree has officially been selected as the them of the 2019 Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration presented by the Resource Center!

Parade Applications are available by clicking HERE! Contact zach@jamestownrenaissance.org with any questions.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) is one of this year’s Preserve New York (PNY) grantees. Their grant of $4,208 will enable JRC to continue working with Bero Architecture to complete a State and National Register Nomination for the Forest Heights neighborhood. As a result of this historic designation, owners of approximately 200 properties in Jamestown will have access to State and Federal Historic Tax Credits. JRC hopes that this incentive will continue to assist in the revitalization of this important neighborhood and prevent additional buildings from falling into disrepair or becoming vacant.

The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work.

The Forest Heights residential neighborhood is important to the historic development of Jamestown and contains a distinct mix of buildings in various architectural styles. Some properties in the neighborhood are individually listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, including the former home of Governor Reuben E. Fenton. Architectural styles in Forest Heights include Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and other vernacular types of structures. Over time, Forest Heights has experienced disinvestment, deferred maintenance, and insensitive rental conversion. Some properties have even been condemned or demolished.

“Since 2011, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has assisted city residents by providing matching grants for outside beautification projects and community development activities. In 2012, 2014 and again in 2018, the JRC granted funds for neighborhood improvements to sections of the Forest Heights area,” says Mary Maxwell, JRC’s Neighborhood Projects Manager. “After securing an historic designation for Downtown Jamestown and the Lakeview Ave. area, the JRC felt the Forest Heights area should be developed next.”

In 2018, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation received a Preserve New York grant to complete an intensive level survey of the Forest Heights neighborhood in preparation for a nomination to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Survey work and boundary determination for a historic district was completed in early 2019.

The 2019 PNY grant cycle was the most competitive in the program’s 26-year history. An independent jury met in June to review over 70 applications. After two days of deliberations, $262,498 was awarded to 31 projects across 25 counties.  

Preserve New York is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of NYS. PNY enables the Preservation League to support projects in all of New York’s 62 counties.

Since 1993, the Preserve New York grant program has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys that are funded through this program can have profound impacts on the sites they are studying.

With the announcement of the 2019 awards, support provided by PNY since its launch totals more than $2.8 million to 438 projects statewide.

2019 PNY Grant Recipients:

Bronx County: Historic Districts Council – $14,000; Cayuga County: Seward House Museum – $10,000; Chautauqua County: Jamestown Renaissance Corporation – $4,208; Clinton County: Town of Schuyler Falls – $10,000; Columbia County: Philmont Beautification, Inc. – $10,000 & Columbia County Historical Society – $10,000; Delaware County: West Kortright Centre – $4,764; Dutchess County: Village of Rhinebeck – $7,875 & Red Hook Public Library – $2,600; Erie County: Preservation Buffalo Niagara – $20,000; Essex County: The Depot Theatre, Inc. – $4,712; Greene County: Zadock Pratt Museum, Inc. – $6,400 & Greene County Council on the Arts – $13,191; Lewis County: Lewis County Historical Society – $10,000; Madison County: Smithfield Community Association – $13,017; Montgomery County: Greater Mohawk Valley Land Bank – $5,200 & Historic Amsterdam League – $14,560; Nassau County: North Shore Land Alliance – $12,000; New York County: Ascendant Neighborhood Development Corporation – $10,000; Rensselaer County: Village of Castleton-on-Hudson – $3,000; Rockland County: John Green Preservation Coalition – $8,000; Saratoga County: Town of Corinth – $10,000; Schoharie County: Jefferson Historical Society – $6,883 & County of Schoharie – $3,968; Suffolk County: Preservation Long Island – $7,900 & Yaphank Historical Society – $9,200; Tioga County: Village of Owego – $8,000; Warren County: Richards Library – $4,000; Wayne County: Baptist Rural Cemetery Association of Sodus Center – $1,700; Westchester County: Village of Larchmont – $10,000; Yates County: Village of Penn Yan – $7,320

“NYSCA is proud to support the vitality and character of our communities through our Preserve New York partnership, which provides key resources to historic sites, buildings, and cultural centers statewide and underscores the importance of architecture and landscape design in community revitalization and economic development,” said NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus.

“Thanks to the League’s record of making effective preservation grants through Preserve New York and TAG, our program partner, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), has increased regrant funding significantly over the past several years,” said Erin Tobin, Vice President for Policy and Preservation and the Preservation League. “At the same time, in response to growing demand, the League has successfully lined up additional support to leverage NYSCA funding and League resources. NYSCA and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation make these grants possible through their program partnership and financial support.”

The Preserve New York grant program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has provided additional support for projects in Nassau, Suffolk and Bronx Counties.

About the Preservation League of New York State

Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development and education programs across the state. Connect with us at facebook.com/preservenys, twitter.com/preservenys, and instagram.com/preservenys.

More images: http://jamestownrenaissance.org/neighborhoods/reinvest/historic-districts/

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) will be holding a community input session at Winter Garden Plaza on Thursday, August 22, at 7pm. Winter Garden Plaza is located at 313 N Main Street. This session will focus on the future of Potter’s Terrace/AIDS Memorial Park/Wood Park, and the re-establishment of the AIDS Memorial that was located in the park.

If unable to attend, you may submit feedback to JRC Executive Director Pete Miraglia at 716-489-3494, or pete@jamestownrenaissance.org.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s GROW Jamestown Front Garden Recognition Program, returns this fall as a way to acknowledge city gardeners who contribute to the curb appeal of Jamestown’s neighborhoods. It is a project designed to encourage everyone to take part in making Jamestown a more beautiful place.

The program began in 2011 with the distribution of 250 garden signs given to gardeners who were nominated by the public. In the summer of 2018, 12,000 Jamestown front yards were canvassed by a team of volunteers that recognized over 839 front gardens.

With growth comes change. The program will be run similarly to years past, but this year the yards will now be assessed in two separate seasons. Here’s how the program will work.

The city has been divided into 37 sections, with each section encompasses approximately 325 to 350 front yards each.

Each section is assigned to a volunteer team comprised of a navigator, a photographer, and a data entry person. The navigator is the driver, the photographer takes photos of the selected front yards, and data entry is assigned as the scribe to document the process and list placement locations of the signs. Volunteers DO NOT canvass their own neighborhoods. Volunteers DO NOT canvass the same area they surveyed in the previous years.

This year, the city was divided from north to south using an imaginary line, beginning at the city’s northern boundary. The imaginary line continues down Lakeview Avenue through downtown and continues to South Main Street reaching the city’s southern boundary.

The fall season canvassing begins September 9th and ends September 30th. Of the total 37 sections, 19 sections, those located to the east of the imaginary line, will be surveyed. The volunteers will determine what an “average front yard” looks like for that area. Yard signs are given to acknowledge and to encourage. Each team is provided a limited number of signs to distribute – making decisions difficult.

The spring season canvassing began June 3rd and ended June 24th. Eighteen sections, located west of the imaginary line, were surveyed. Three hundred and thirty six signs were delivered.

In 2020, properties surveyed in the spring of 2019 will be surveyed in the fall and those surveyed in the fall of 2019 will be surveyed in the spring.

At a minimum, volunteers look for front yard gardens with healthy plants that are well maintained and actively managed. Is the lawn healthy lawn, neatly mowed? Are the shrubs and trees pruned and trimmed? Edging is a plus, along with a balanced garden that is appropriate to house and lot size. House numbers need to be clearly displayed.

“As a project of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, the goal is to encourage everyone to contribute to a more beautiful Jamestown. The increase in yearly front yard garden acknowledgements demonstrates how well the program is working.” says Mary Maxwell, the JRC’s Neighborhood Project Manager.

Would you like to volunteer for this project? It is an excellent way to see the city as you have never seen it before, meet some old friends and make some new ones, and have a chance to make some front yard gardeners very happy. Volunteer workshops will be held the last week of August. For more information, contact Mary Maxwell at mary@jamestownrenaissance.org or (716) 489-3493.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is a public-private partnership supporting downtown and neighborhood revitalization through inspiration, action, and celebration in the greater Jamestown, New York, area.

Potter’s Terrace on East 3rd Street is being closed for safety concerns. The site was recently evaluated and found to have structural issues. The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) owns the property and will evaluate future options for the site.

Potter’s Terrace, also known as AIDS Memorial Park or Wood Park, had been dedicated as a memorial for AIDS victims. The JRC will be reaching out to the community for input on re-establishing the memorial.

Questions regarding the closure of Potter’s Terrace should be directed to Pete Miraglia, JRC Executive Director at 716-489-3494.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) and Fancher Chair Co. Inc. are proud to honor Jamestown’s furniture history with the installation of an oversized chair at the corner of Third and Lafayette in Jamestown.

In an effort to expand public art in downtown Jamestown, a focal point of the new Jamestown Urban Design Plan 2.0, JRC approached Fancher Chair Co. with the idea of commissioning a large, historically accurate chair for downtown. Fancher Chair Co. was excited by the project, and took the lead in designing and then constructing a great new piece for downtown.

Kristy Kathman, JRC Deputy Director said, “I couldn’t be happier with the way this has turned out.  Pete Scheira (President) and Gary Henry (CEO) at Fancher Chair Co. took a vague idea we had and turned it into a true work of art.  They have been wonderful to work with, and created a beautiful piece of furniture sure to be enjoyed by everyone who sees it.”

Brian Millspaw, Master Sample Maker at Fancher Chair Co., created the chair based on a design from Jamestown Lounge Company known as the “club” chair. The chair is made of oak, and special glue for outdoor use was used.  The chair will be permanently installed by Davis Concrete & Excavating.

Fancher Chair Co. Inc. has generously donated the chair to the community as a memorial to the history of the furniture industry of Jamestown and surrounding areas. 

For a more in-depth look into the furniture industry of the Jamestown area, and the people who were behind it, check out the furniture exhibit at the Fenton History Center.

At Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, we make Jamestown better through inspiration, action, and celebration. For more information about upcoming projects, or to check out the Jamestown Urban Design Plan 2.0, please visit jamestownrenaissance.org/, or call 716-489-3496.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is pleased to announce that construction at Winter Garden Plaza is nearing completion. The second phase of construction at the site included the addition of a permanent tensile structure at the west end, extended pavers, additional lighting, landscaping, benches, and bike racks.

Phase 2 of the project was made possible with funding from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, as well as local support from the Gebbie Foundation. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2011 to replace the former Winter Garden Theater with programmable public space.

Winter Garden Plaza features the Active Artists Alliance’s Third Thursday Concert Series, held on the third Thursday of each month from May-September. In addition, the Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival will make use of the space from July 18-20, and Friday night shows will be put on by the Wine Cellar throughout the summer.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s GROW Jamestown Front Garden Recognition Program, returns in 2019 as a way to acknowledge city gardeners who contribute to the curb appeal of Jamestown’s neighborhoods.  It is a project designed to encourage everyone to take part in making Jamestown a more beautiful place.

The program began in 2011 with the distribution of 250 garden signs given to gardeners who were nominated by the public. In the summer of 2018, 12,000 Jamestown front yards were canvassed by a team of volunteers that recognized over 839 front gardens by providing owners with signs.

With growth comes change. While the program will be run similarly to years past, yards will now be assessed in two separate seasons and groups as follows:

1. The city is divided into 37 sections, with each section encompasses approximately 325 front yards each.

2. Each section is assigned to a volunteer team comprised of a navigator, a photographer, and a data entry person. The navigator is the driver, the photographer takes photos of the selected front yards, and data entry is assigned as the scribe to document the process and list placement locations of the signs. Volunteers DO NOT canvass their own neighborhoods.  Volunteers DO NOT canvass the same area they surveyed in the previous years.

3. This year, the city will be divided from north to south using an imaginary line, beginning at the city’s northern boundary. The imaginary line continues down Lakeview Avenue through downtown and continues to South Main Street reaching the city’s southern boundary.

4. The spring season canvassing begins June 3rd and ends June 24th.  Of the total 37 sections, 18 sections located west of the imaginary line, will be surveyed. The volunteers will determine what an “average front yard” looks like for that area.  Front gardens excelling in their efforts to improve curb appeal, will receive a GROW Jamestown sign. Each team is provided a limited number of signs to distribute – making decisions difficult. 

5. The fall season canvassing begins September 9th and ends September 30th. The remaining 19 sections, those located to the east of the imaginary line, will be surveyed. The volunteers will again determine what an “average front yard” looks like for that area.  Front gardens showing exceptional efforts to improve curb appeal, will receive a GROW Jamestown sign.

6. In 2020, properties surveyed in the spring of 2019 will be surveyed in the fall and those surveyed in the fall of 2019 will be surveyed in the spring.

At a minimum, volunteers look for front yard gardens with healthy plants that are well maintained and actively managed. Is the lawn healthy lawn, neatly mowed? Are the shrubs and trees pruned and trimmed? Edging is a plus, along with a balanced garden that is appropriate to house and lot size. House numbers need to be clearly displayed.

As a project of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, the goal is to encourage everyone to contribute to a more beautiful Jamestown. The increase in yearly front yard garden acknowledgements demonstrates how well the program is working.

Would you like to volunteer for this project? It is an excellent way to see the city as you have never seen it before, meet some old friends and make some new ones, and have a chance to make some front yard gardeners very happy. Volunteer workshops will be held the 4th and 5th week of May. For more information, contact Mary Maxwell at mary@jamestownrenaissance.org or (716) 489-3493.

The Jamestown Public Market will be using a new online management tool to provide a more organized 2019 season.

In 2018 Farmspread partnered with the Farmers’ Market Coalition (FMC) to help farmers’ markets celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week, annually the second week of August. FMC’s campaign provided more than 8,600 farmers’ markets nationwide with tools, guides and materials used to promote events at their markets during the weeklong celebration. As part of this campaign, Farmspread and FMC created a NFMW directory to highlight farmers’ markets around the country.

During this celebration event, the Jamestown Public Market was selected as the winner of the Farmers’ Market Coalition’s National Farmers Market Week Contest.

The Farmers’ Market Coalition, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is “dedicated to strengthening farmers’ markets across the United States so that they can serve as community assets while providing 

real income opportunities for farmers”. A member of the coalition, the Jamestown Public Market has access to resources that help improve market programs, including curriculum ideas that provide the basis for the market’s SPROUTs Club. 

To win, the Jamestown Public Market had to claim a profile on Farmspread by registering on the National Farmers Market Week directory; over 205 markets were represented on the directory, with representation from over 39 states. As a winner, the market has received free access to FarmSpread, a newly established marketplace platform supporting a community of farmers, local food vendors, market managers and consumers by providing a wide range of tools to help cultivate and scale alternative food distribution and consumer access.

Features the Jamestown Public Market will have access to include a fully configurable online vendor application, auto invoicing to vendors for market fees, publicly searchable profile, and the ability to invite vendors to sell at the market, accept credit/check payments, and view a market map online. 

“This is exciting for the market for two reasons”, explains Public Market Manager Linnea Carlson. “First, the Jamestown Public Market has received national attention due to this contest. We are thankful to the Farmers Market Coalition for their ongoing support of farmers markets, and the advocacy they provide on issues that affect agricultural communities in our country. Second, we get to be a part of this innovative platform that is helping bring farmers’ markets into the 21^st century. We are thrilled to partner with Farmspread for the 2019 season so our vendors have an easier communication process and consumers can find more information on what is available.”

Farmspread provides tools to help manage, promote and sell farm fresh food and artisan products while connecting consumers with farm direct food outlets. Whether you manage a farmers’ market, are a direct food vendor, or operate a CSA, they can help you manage your business and connect you to customers. Farmspread also directly connect farmers and local food vendors to communities of buyers, using technology to scale the age old relationship between local producers and consumers and to reinvest in the power of local communities.

Farmers and local vendors interested in participating in the 2019 Jamestown Public Market season can visit www.farmspread.org to apply (creating a vendor profile is free of cost) or www.jamestownrenaissance.org. For more information on National Farmers Market Week and issues affecting the agricultural community visit www.farmersmarketcoalition.org.