(erielack) Fwd: Google Alert - railroad

["Gary R. Kazin" <gkazin_@_yahoo.com>]

http://www.wnymedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=37

Higgins Funds Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Station
Written by Press Release   
Monday, 24 October 2005

Jamestown, NY-  Congressman Brian Higgins announced $1,672,000 in federal
transportation funding for the rehabilitation of the Jamestown Intermodal
Facility.  This funding will transform the abandoned, historic former
Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Station into the Jamestown Gateway Station, a
multimodal civic and visitor's center.  The Station was recently listed on
the State and National Register of Historic Places.  The funding will also
restore access to trains at the Station, and will include pedestrian,
bicycle and bus connections.  Higgins was joined by Chautauqua County
Executive Mark Thomas, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and other local elected
officials.
           
            "The impact that this funding will make to economic
development, tourism, waterfront access, and transportation options will
be immeasurable," said Higgins.  "The revitalization of the Jamestown
Central Business District is critical to the health and prosperity of the
City.  I look forward to seeing the dramatic results of a rehabilitated
Station, with improved access that will affect thousands in Western New
York."

"I want to again thank Congressman Higgins for taking the lead on this key
initiative for the Greater Jamestown Community," said Jamestown Mayor Sam
Teresi.  "As most realize, the former Erie Railroad Station occupies a
special place in the history of our City and it's preservation and
redevelopment for a variety of transportation, commercial and community
uses is a key component in the continuing revitalization of Downtown
Jamestown."

            The Station is essential to Jamestown's ongoing efforts to
revitalize its central business district.  It will act as both a tourist
destination and as a centralized visitor welcome and information center
within walking distance of Downtown business and shopping.  Currently the
abandoned rail yards obstruct City's connection to the waterfront.  The
project will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the City's planned
Downtown Connector Trail to connect the tourism-center west-end district
to the undeveloped waterfront area of the downtown core.  The Station will
reestablish passenger rail service for excursions to Buffalo, Canada and
Cleveland.  It will also become the transfer station for the Chautauqua
Area Regional Transit System (CARTS), which currently lacks a permanent
hub for operation in Jamestown.

            "This is yet another example of Congressman Higgins'
commitment to Jamestown and Chautauqua County," said County Executive Mark
Thomas.  "Like the Connector Trail project, this is another significant
contribution to the ongoing transformation of downtown Jamestown.  This
train station evokes wonderful memories for so many city residents and the
fact that it will be part of Jamestown's future as well, makes today even
more special."

            "Today's announcement and the hard work that preceded it,
serve as another big step toward realizing our vision for the Downtown
area and demonstrates the good that can happen when the public sector, at
various levels, works closely with the private and civic sectors of a
community," added Mayor Teresi.
           
            This funding is tied into the Jamestown Downtown Connector
Trail project, for which Higgins secured $1,600,000 and Senators Clinton
and Schumer an additional $1,000,000 in the recently passed federal
transportation bill.  

Gary R. Kazin
DL&W Milepost R35.7
Rockaway, New Jersey


	
		
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