Newfane soliciting additional community input for waterfront revitalization plan

Mar. 19—NEWFANE — Town officials and community members will hold a second round of public discussion on proposed upgrades to Olcott Beach.

Through the town's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, a committee consisting of a "cross-section" of town officials and community members will host a public hearing Thursday to "reintroduce" an updated draft of the plan.

"We're looking to confirm our projects," town supervisor John Syracuse said.

The project area will focus on both sides of Eighteen Mile Creek from the intersection of West Main Street and Route 18 east toward Krull Park.

The town previously solicited input from residents this past June to assist in identifying important issues, opportunities and concerns to assist the committee in establishing a "clear vision" for the waterfront.

"This one is just another follow up to that meeting (for residents to) sit with us to go over some things, where we are up to this particular point, and get the input from the community as well," Syracuse said.

Project consultant Wendy Weber Salvati said that the first part of the plan would be to analyze travel through the area to determine the siting of additional sidewalks and way-finding signage in an effort to "improve circulation" of vehicular and foot traffic.

Syracuse noted the committee is identifying other areas along Eighteen Mile Creek to bolster water access, particularly for those fishing in the area.

"We'd still like to look at fishing industry improvements, whether it's a fish hatchery of sorts...we're talking about developing some of the Eighteen Mile Creek corridor there for birding, fishing and adding some docks there," he said.

The committee is also pitching upgrades to create an "Olcott Commons area" at the gazebo on Main Street, with additions including a comfort station, and identification of several areas where pathways can be developed for water access, including the area between the lighthouse and Lakeview Village Shoppes.

During the Thursday meeting the committee plans to host some breakout sessions in which they can discuss specific components of the plan with smaller groups of residents.

"We're hopeful the elected officials are in line with the residents, the residents are in line with the elected officials, and the residents see that we've been responsive to their questions, their needs, their transparency, and we'll have a very good document at the end of the day," Syracuse said.

He added the committee hopes to have the planning process wrapped up, and a final draft of the plan submitted to the state, by October.

The public hearing will be held at the Olcott Fire Hall, 1691 Lockport Olcott Road, beginning at 6:30 p.m.