Pier, trails highlight master plan

HAMMONDSPORT--Nearly 100 people attended a presentation on the Hammondsport-Urbana Waterfront Master Plan Monday, May 11, where they could view the highlights of the proposal. The preliminary information included a list of some 28 possible projects, which included replacing the Champlin Beach pier and developing a waterfront center, along with implementing trails to connect the area parks.
After a brief presentation by Matt Ingalls of Ingalls Design Group and James Johnson, executive director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), attendees examined the details of the plan and ask additional questions. Ingalls said they were able to take some of the information gathered during the first public session held in November of 2014 and use it by turning it into a list of the 28 possible projects for the waterfront. Residents were then allowed to take stickers and mark which projects they most wanted to see get done.
One of the more popular projects was the replacement of the Champlin Beach pier with a new pier. This project could potentially be used to accommodate fishing and an excursion boat, with Ingalls adding there was some interest in including a gazebo type structure on the pier as well.
Another project with some public interest included developing waterfront trails connecting Champlin Beach, Curtiss Park and Depot Park. This project could include a path from Champlin Beach to the Keuka Inlet including a trail to Main Street, and a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the inlet. The project also lists a possible "EcoPark" with wetlands trails and an observation tower south of the inlet and a Curtiss Park trail to Depot Park.
Also receiving some interest was the development of a waterfront center in the Champlin Beach area. This project could include public restrooms, visitor information, waterfront-related private sector business space, space for the Finger Lakes Boating Museum and publicly accessible event space.
Some other projects listed included developing a canoe and kayak launch and trailhead in Curtiss Park, developing a public ice skating rink, facilitating the return of an excursion boat at the Champlin Beach pier, relocating the village offices to develop the former train depot and redeveloping the corner of Liberty and Mill Streets.
Johnson said they will go back and look at the interest in the proposed projects along with the additional comments they received from the public at this meeting before putting together a final document, which Ingalls said he anticipates to be completed in June. Johnson said following the final document, then they can begin seeking funding for the implementation of some of these projects.