Jacobs Secures $450,000 in Support of City of Tonawanda's Vision to Transform Young Street Community Hub

(Tonawanda, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs announced that he has secured $450,000 in state monies toward the $1 million dollar effort to convert a portion of Young Street in the City of Tonawanda into parkland and a hub for community activity and access. 

“When I walked with the Mayor and other community members through the farmers market on Young Street this summer and they shared with me their vision for this corridor, I wanted to do what I could to help them make this a reality” said Senator Jacobs. 

The City of Tonawanda’s project closes a portion of Young Street to traffic, making it a parklike setting.  It will have a pavilion for concerts and other festivals, access to the waterfront, pedestrian and bike amenities and some availability for new commercial and residential development.  It is part of a greater revitalization plan to bring a renaissance to its Main Street corridor and waterfront.

“I want to thank Senator Jacobs for his continued commitment to our downtown business district,” said City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis.  “These monies will help us revitalize our city center and will further enhance a vital communal area for residents and businesses.”

These latest improvements are in adjacent to, and follow up on, the recently completed City of Tonawanda Intermodal Hub, which connects downtown to the regions blueways and greenways.

“We are delighted to support the continued development of the Tonawanda HUB, a critical node in our Niagara River Greenway forming the junction between the Empire State Trail and our Niagara River Greenway Trail,” said Niagara River Greenway Commission Chair Greg Stevens.  “We look forward to further enhancement of recreational activities around the HUB.”

Work on the project is scheduled to begin in spring of 2019, and city officials anticipate completion by the fall of 2020.  Local business owners are looking forward to the changes.

“I believe the restructuring of our downtown area will help restore some charm to our city,” said business owner Shannon Barlow.  “These improvements and reconfiguration of Young Street will give business owners the ability to increase our foot traffic, enhance our buildings and help make our businesses thrive.”