1998-99 study paid for by Penfield, NY taxpayers

FROM THE OFFICIAL TOWN PAPER  The Year 2000

Town Board members caution against hoping for too much too soon.

After several years of wish-list and conceptual discussions, cajoling and compromising, formal discussions and public hearings, and yes, bickering, the Town Board Wednesday night approved its long-awaited Four Corners revitalization plan.
Now the work begins.
Although the board approved the measure by a 4-1 vote Wednesday, putting in place a guideline to achieve the goal of revitalizing the historic business district, much work needs to be done to implement its recommendations.
The plan offers ideas to boost business in the area, and to improve the quality of life for residents, parking, traffic flow, and look of the area.
Supervisor Channing Philbrick said town staffers are already looking at ways to jump start the plan.
"We are committed to keeping this moving," Philbrick said.
However, it will be some time before implementation of the plan takes effect, and funding the proposed changes is still up in the air. In total, implementing the plan would cost an estimated $7 million, with about $2 million of that coming from town coffers.
Funding is one of the reasons why Councilman James Peters voted against the plan. He said he was appalled by the lack of cooperation from some businesses in the district in developing a plan, and was concerned about the commitment to keeping the area's history intact.
"I'm somewhat worried about where the funding comes from," he said, but added he would work to make the plan effective.
Philbrick said implementation is certainly not inexpensive, and some of the recommendations may cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
But now that a plan is in place, the town can seek out federal and state grants to defray costs.
"I think it will go a long way for us to gain grants or funding," he said.
Councilman Anthony LaFountain, who voted in favor of the plan, said residents and business owners should not expect to see change over night.
But given the stops and starts of improvement plans, the numbers of studies, and the interest that seemed to peter out in the past, the adopted plan is a reasonable road map for the future -- provided there is cooperation from everyone with a stake in improving the area.
"This is the last real shot that we have to do something for the Four Corners so we don't lose it forever," he said.
With the recent addition of public parking and discussions over expanding Schaufelberger Park, the town has already demonstrated it is committed to improving the area, Philbrick said.
"We have been doing this, even though we've been trying to firm up a plan," he said.
But again, board members cautioned about expecting too much right away.
"There are no easy answers ahead," LaFountain said.

 

Town board votes to implement this plan but provides lip service

Next Study! Can you believe 2004?