(Photo via Unsplash).
Liz Arnold, who lives near the Village Green in Homer, said at Thursday's Local Planning Committee (LPC) meeting she enjoys the walkability of the area she lives in.
Particularly, Arnold likes how connected the area feels within the village’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) project boundaries.
“I walk my dog every day around this area. Part of what I would like to see is the Village Green act like a center point for the community,” said Arnold, who is an LPC member. “There's a variety of activities. There are always people in and out, there is yoga. There are just a variety of different activities of all ages. That area brings together a variety of populations into one area to engage with each other.”
The area Arnold referred to is a 270-acre section of the village dubbed the DRI investment area. It includes the entirety of both the Old Homer National Register Historic District and the zoned Central Business District, including the Village Green. The area comprises the residential, commercial, civic, and religious structures then compasses a mix of residential, commercial, civic and religious structures that make up the core of the village.
The village will have $9.7 million at their disposal, attained through the state’s DRI program in February. About $300,000 of the DRI funding will go toward paying consultants who will shepherd the LPC’s eventual submission of a list of projects for state approval.
Despite the highlighted connectedness in the area, Arnold said she worries about pedestrian safety.
“When kids are trying to cross Main Street to go over to the playground, the basketball courts, it's an interesting thing to watch,” she said. “When they're not with someone, they're on their own. And they're trying to kind of engage with someone later on.”
Lonni Rawson, a member of the LPC committee, agreed with Arnold.
“I agree with the safety aspect, especially on Main Street with the traffic, and especially during rush hour,” Rawson said.
Other committee members noted the need for added crosswalks needed near the Homer Center for the Arts area. Members collectively worried about senior residents.
The public is welcome to submit project proposals to the LPC before Aug. 1.
“We will review all the projects that have been submitted during the open call for projects (at the Aug. 3 meeting),” said Emma Phillips, a project manager at C&S Companies who leads the DRI plan.
Private projects are classified as large, if their price tag exceeds $200,000, and small if they are under that same amount.
Companies behind private projects, Phillips said, will have to pay for 60% of the project’s cost if selected by the state. Public projects and those proposed by certified nonprofit organizations will be fully funded through the DRI.
Phillips discussed some of the projects that are seemingly a lock in the DRI application.
“We know that the Homer Riverwalk is a big priority for the village of Homer,” she said. “That would be along the Tioughnioga River path and it would start behind the Homer Recreation Center on Main Street, and travel more toward Wall Street there. That is a project that we're including. It will be a major project that will most likely be multi-phase.”
Phillips said the streetscape project aligns well with the LPC’s concerns about traffic safety.
“Those are on Pine Street, Wall Street and also Main Street,” she said. “We're going to work with the village to identify what exactly those streetscape enhancements will be, but you have ideas that we heard — crosswalks and signage.”
Phillips also noted there will be gateway improvements.
“That was something included in Homer's application that includes Cayuga Street, and North and South Main Street,” she said. “Gateway improvements will basically be a welcome into Homer. That can include signage, an archway, or flags.”
The LPC will meet again on Aug. 3.
