Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz (at podium) is flanked by Village of Springville Mayor Wiliam Krebs (left, in hat) and Erie County Legislator John Mills (right) at Monday’s announcement of the completion of Phase I improvements to the Village’s central business district. Phase II is scheduled to begin in Spring 2016. Below, Mayor Krebs and County Executive Poloncarz visit the site of planned Phase II improvements to the Village, which will include a park and additional parking for the Central Business District.

$325,000 Community Development Block Grant Funding Assists Village in Smart Growth Improvements

Factory Street Park Envisioned as Complement to Upgraded Business District

ERIE COUNTY, NY—The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning has announced that the Village of Springville has been awarded $325,000 in Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funding for Phase II of a Smart Growth Project.  The first phase of Smart Growth improvements in the Village of Springville began this spring and focused on streetscape improvements including paving, new curbing, lighting, benches, plantings, and other improvements in the area of Franklin and Mechanic Streets in the central business district. Phase II will pair the county-provided CDBG funds with $610,000 in Village funding to develop and expand village-owned property at the end of Factory Street for a park and additional public parking area.

Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Erie County Legislator John Mills, Village of Springville Mayor William Krebs, members of the Springville Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Springville Village Police and Volunteer Fire Department, and community members to cut a ribbon in celebration of the completion of Phase I and visit the site of planned Phase II improvements.

“The Village of Springville took tremendous strides forward with Phase I of their Smart Growth project, and the transformation of Franklin and Mechanic Streets shows just how revitalizing CDBG funds can be when leveraged with other funding sources,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Phase II of this Project will further extend and enhance that revitalization, creating a village park for gatherings, festivals, and other community activities. We are creating more walkable, livable, and enjoyable communities by concentrating investments such as this in areas where infrastructure already exists.”

More recreation-based in nature, the project’s second phase will focus on creating a more walkable community with an improved network of green space, including a village park that will be established on the site of two existing blighted buildings that are slated for demolition. Phase II will also provide much-needed additional parking for the central business district, improve walkability and pedestrian safety with the addition of connecting trails and walkways to nearby parks and amenities, and ultimately connect to the Main Street Historic District.

Village of Springville Mayor Bill Krebs said, “We thank the County Executive for being a partner in this smart growth project.  The redesigned park space with a new gazebo and connecting walkways to Village businesses and community services will create more vitality in our Village center.”

The Phase II project is located directly adjacent to Main Street and the central business district. Along with the creation of the new Park, new walking trails will also be constructed to connect to existing parks at Shuttleworth and Fiddlers Green, as well as to a nearby apartment complex.

Joy Keubler Landscape Architect P.C. has been retained for preparation of design plans and construction management; construction on Phase II is anticipated to begin in Spring 2016 with completion anticipated by Fall 2016. 

Erie County’s Smart Growth Fund, one of the County Executive’s “Initiatives for a Smart Economy”, makes funding available to local governments through a competitive process for projects that further smart growth principles.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/