$3.45 Million Spring Street & Mill Plaza Infrastructure Investment Complete
Williamsville, N.Y. –- (RealEstateRama) — Spring Street, Rock Street, and the Williamsville Water Mill Plaza have a new look following completion of a $3.45 million project transforming the area into a new “village square” providing a beautiful public gathering space in the center of Williamsville.
“Ellicott Creek and Glen Falls are two of the Village of Williamsville’s greatest assets. This project, which simultaneously improves our water quality and creates a sense of place at the historic Williamsville Water Mill plaza is a win-win,” says Village of Williamsville Mayor Brian Kulpa. “I would also like to thank the business owners here on the North side of Main Street, who persevered through the construction.”
“Williamsville has always been a place that provides a unique connected community and this project continues to build on the village character,” said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26). “The environmentally friendly features of this project provide lasting protection for the park and its tranquil falls and streambank. Mayor Brian Kulpa has been a tireless advocate for preserving the character of the village square, encouraging residents and visitors to linger, take in special events and stroll up and down Main Street’s shops and restaurants. The success of this project is a credit to Mayor Kulpa’s hard work,” Higgins added.
“Today is truly a day for celebration as we gather to commemorate the opening of Willamsville’s new storm water filtration system,” said Assemblyman Ray Walter (R,C,I-Amherst). “A cornerstone piece of the Picture Main Street initiative, the completion of this eco-friendly project represents a major step forward in our efforts to invigorate our community and protect our local parks and streams. I look forward to seeing the continued local benefits of green infrastructure investments such as these for many years to come.”
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “Under the leadership of Mayor Kulpa, Main St. in Williamsville has become a vibrant and bustling business district that is a state-wide model for business activity, pedestrian safety, and green infrastructure,” said Schumer. “This investment has improved the water quality and enhanced Williamsville’s ability to deal with snow and rain, all of which supports local businesses and jobs. This project has been a game-changer for Williamsville and I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Brian Kulpa and the rest of the leadership in Williamsville to complete the Picture Main Street project.”
Previously the area was one giant asphalt surface, from the rear of the Main Street businesses to the front door of the Mill Street. The Spring Street project transformed the space with features that include: new sidewalks, roadway and curbing; benches, bicycle racks and lighting; buried utilities; ADA compliant crossings; enhanced parking; and thousands of planted bulbs, shrubs and trees.
The innovative project also incorporated stormwater management infrastructure features with permeable pavement and raingardens that include bioretention planters lining the north and south sides of the roadway. The planters serve to slow and clean water coming from parking areas and drainage inlets before discharging into the Creek area.
Nearly $800,000 in federal funding was provided for the project through the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program. Senator Michael Ranzenhofer secured an additional $250,000 to for the public plaza build-out, creating a public square atmosphere and a new home for the Williamsville Farmer’s Market. Another $1.9 million from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Improvement Program and $500,000 in historic preservation grant funding was provided by the State.
Picture Main Street is an initiative put forth by the Village of Williamsville under the leadership of Mayor Brian Kulpa. The plan features landscape and streetscape improvements as well as traffic calming infrastructure efforts to make Main Street more pedestrian friendly.
