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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) — Jamestown lawmakers approved the construction of two splash pads within the pearl city on Monday, with a few caveats.
As Jamestown’s multi-million dollar American Rescue Plan Act funding dwindles, all eyes are on the remaining allocations. Among top priorities are splash pads and a new ambulance for the Jamestown Fire Department.
On Monday $500,000 dollars in American Rescue Plan Act Funds were approved for the splash pad project at Jackson-Taylor and Allen Parks.
However, Councilman Jeff Russell highlighted a few concerns, including traffic safety on Washington Street.
“My ultimate fear is that a child is going to be crossing that roadway, unsupervised possibly, and is going to be struck by a vehicle and killed,“ stated Councilman Russell.
In addition to the city’s allocation, a $100,000 dollar grant from Assemblyman Andy Goodell’s office is sought. Lawmakers also called for a private engineering firm to get involved.
“The other concern I have is the stability of the soil that’s down there,“ explained Councilman Russell. “I’ve had conversations with Mr. Stone (Parks Manager) I’ve asked him about other locations within the park that it could be placed. He said there’s really no other place to put it because of the instability of some of the soil down there.”
If the engineer detects problems, the splash pad would be moved to Roseland Park.
The vote on the amended resolution was approved by most of the council, with Councilman Bill Reynolds being the only one to vote against the pads.
“I just don’t find that they’re a necessity at this point in time for the economy status of the city,“ stated Councilman Reynolds. “I feel strongly that there’s other areas that need that money, one of them was the ambulance.”
Councilwoman Kim Eckland mirrors these concerns.
“We’re down to the last, and where do we want to use it,“ explained Councilwoman Kim Eckland. “What is the best bang for our buck if you will, I would love to give the community everything I can.”
However, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist believes it is possible to get both.
“I think we can do both,“ stated Mayor Sundquist. “I don’t think that it’s an either/or proposition, I think we can certainly support both an ambulance, as well as splash pads.”
Two public hearings are scheduled to take place on the splash pads, with the first taking place at Allen Park on Thursday, March 30th at 6 p.m. the second will be at Jackson-Taylor Park on April 11th at 6 p.m.
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