JAMESTOWN – It’s promising to be an historic day in downtown Jamestown. After several months of delays, the time has finally arrived for the official grand opening of the newly renovated Erie Lackawanna Train Station on West Second Street. The festivities begin this morning at 10:30 with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, with local, state and federal officials on hand to officially mark the concussion of the $10 million dollar renovation project.
The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation has led the effort in seeing the project along. During a past interview with WRFA, DJDC Executive Director Lee Harkness said the grand opening would be the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of work, when the Fenton Historical Society worked to get the train station on the state and federal list of historic places. Once that was accomplished, the train station became eligible for various state and federal grants to help with its renovation. Much of the funding for the project came from a $5 million Federal Transit Authority Grant, that was made possible with the help of Congressman Brian Higgins (D-South Buffalo) and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn). Grants and investments from several other various sources helped to offset the remainder of the cost.
- AUDIO: 2011 WRFA ‘COMMUNITY MATTERS’ INTERVIEW ABOUT TRAIN STATION
Prior to the ribbon cutting, the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad will also providing an actual train and engines that will arrive at 10:30 a.m. Dignitaries will step off the train and proceed to the newly renovated station for a ceremony honoring the completion of the extensive restoration project. Among those expected to attend the event are Schumer and Higgins, along with Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi. The public is also encouraged to come out and take part in the festivites.
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