Town of Lewiston denies village request for greenway funds
The Lewiston Town Board will not support the Village of Lewiston's request for $200,000 in Niagara River Greenway funds, citing their potential need for town projects.
'I feel for the next year or two, we should focus on Town of Lewiston projects,' said Supervisor Steve Broderick, adding that he felt the town had been generous with funding already.
Since Broderick has been town supervisor, the town has supported the village with $713,850 worth of greenway funding for various projects. Those include $100,000 each for the Discover Niagara Shuttle bus and Circle of Honor at Academy Park as well as $200,000 for the Marilyn Toohey all-inclusive park. The town also paid $18,000 for new holiday lights that line Center Street.
The Village of Lewiston was hoping to use the funding to build a new pavilion down by the Lewiston Landing waterfront. It would replace a since-demolished pavilion that was damaged from flooding during 2017 and 2019.
The village board had applied for $600,000 in funding through the state Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, with that also used for riverbank stabilization and replacing a wooden staircase. It was denied in this round of grants.
There were no village representatives speaking on the project's behalf at Monday's work session.
Councilman Rob Morreale added there are projects at town parks that need attention, including pavilions at the Kiwanis and Pletcher Road parks and playgrounds.
The village's request would have needed the town's support before it going before the Niagara County Host Communities Standing Committee for consideration.
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