The Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor Management Plan objectives are to promote the development of a vibrant regional economy, enhance the overall quality of life throughout the region, promote natural resource conversvation and the re-use of existing building and infrastructure, and increase public appreciation of the unique natural and cultural heritage resources found along the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. The Western Erie Canal Main Street Program is designed to meet those objectives.
Through funding provided by New York State Department of State, the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program seeks to revitalize canal communities and their traditional commercial districts within the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. In 2007, the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program became the first regional Main Street coordinating program in the country and the only recognized Main Street program by the National Trust Main Street Center tm (NTMSC) in New York State. The City of Lockport in Niagara County, Village of Albion in Orleans County, and Village of Lyons in Wayne County are the three inaugural designated Main Street communities. A follow-on grant from the Environmental Protection Fund - Local Water-front Revitalization Program was awarded from the New York State Department of State to continue and expand the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program.
The National Main Street Center tm has been retained to assist with design of this Main Street program based on the National Main Street "Four-Point Approach": Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring and Organization. Jayme Breschard,Program Coordinator, contracted through the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, is overseeing this project.
The municipalities of the sixteen (16) small villages and small cities along the 136 mile Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor have been challenged by economic and physical decline of their main streets in past years. The Main Street (NTMSC) approach advocates a return to a sense of community , local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian friendly environment, personal service and local ownership. The NTMSC will provide technical assistance and training to communities designated as Main Street program villages by the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program.
For detailed information regarding the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program please contact Jayme Breschard.
