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Penn Yan community gears up for DRI work

May 02, 2024 at 11:15 am by Observer-Review


Penn Yan DRI work
BY Samantha Lape-Kesel
PENN YAN--The village of Penn Yan has announced that many projects funded by the New York state Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), will begin construction in May. Indian Pines Park will be updated to enhance its location as a waterfront recreation spot, with beach replenishment and a complete overhaul of the parking lot. The construction will start in early May and will take four weeks. During this period, the park will remain closed for public safety reasons.
At the same time, downtown streetscape improvements will focus on rebuilding the Wagener Street Municipal Parking Lot and repairing sidewalks leading to Main Street. New streetscape elements like crosswalk striping, trees with tree grates, and improved pedestrian accessibility along Maiden Lane will also be installed. The project timeline for this segment spans approximately four to six weeks, and will also start in May. While the Wagener Street Parking Lot will undergo temporary closure, efforts are underway to coordinate access and mitigate inconveniences for residents and businesses. Nighttime striping operations are planned to minimize disruptions to daily traffic flow.
Looking ahead, the Lake Street Park Project promises further enhancements, including a new public boat dock, waterfront seating/event space, and a modern playground facility. Although construction for this phase is scheduled for the fall, pending regulatory approvals, the village anticipates swift progress with an estimated completion timeline of three months. As with previous phases, the park will be temporarily closed during construction.
Melissa Gerhardt, director of the Department of Public Works, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming projects and emphasized the village’s commitment to keeping residents informed throughout the process. “These improvements are vital for our community’s growth and vitality. We understand the inconveniences construction may cause, but the long-term benefits will far outweigh the temporary disruptions,” stated Gerhardt.
Residents with questions regarding the projects can call the Department of Public Works at 315-279-6535. Detailed plans and announcements are also available on the Village of Penn Yan website and social media platforms.
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