To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here! Be a Member of DJDC in 2007
The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation offers a variety of unique benefits for anyone interested in becoming a member. Besides becoming a member of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation every individual, business, organization and community group becomes part of the community renewal that is taking place downtown. Membership contributions are also tax-deductible. Due to the variety of organizations and individuals in the community, the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation has made it easy and affordable for everyone to join. There are six categories to choose from with numerous benefits and annual contribution amounts. A Foundation Member, an annual contribution of $25, is available to individuals and family members interested in joining. The First Floor - $100, Second Floor - $250, Mezzanine - $500, Balcony - $1,000 and Atrium - $5,000 categories are available to any organization or business interested in joining. The higher the annual contribution the more benefits the member will receive. Higher contributions not only provide each member with the benefits of their particular membership category, but also grant the member the benefits of all preceding categories. The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation currently has 90+ members. There are many changes in progress throughout Jamestown including the completion and adoption of the Urban Design Plan, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Rehabilitation, over 60 community events that bring in thousands of people each year and more. Join DJDC today and be a part of the revitalization taking place in Downtown Jamestown! For more information or to become a member contact DJDC at 664-2477. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 PsychoBuells Return for Repeat PerformanceThe PsychoBuells will return to Jamestown this summer on July 13th, 14th and 15th for a second appearance at the Fourth Annual Thunder in the Streets motorcycle rally. The PsychoBuells worked the crowd by defying the laws of physics on their Harley Davidson Buells. Consisting of three riders and one tandem partner, the PsychoBuells will return to Third Street with new and exciting stunts. Visit www.psychobuells.com for pictures from last year’s show. “We are ecstatic to have the PsychoBuells return to Jamestown,” commented Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. “They are amazing stunt riders and the community thoroughly enjoyed the stunt shows.” The Thunder in the Streets planning committee has been diligently working to provide another exciting rally. A Used Bike Corral has been added to the event schedule, along with a Custom Bike Show provided by the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. Local bands will provide live entertainment all weekend long and motorcycle related vendors will line the streets. Contact Tiffani at 664-2477 for more info. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
7th Annual Hands on Jamestown Cleanup The “Hands on Jamestown” community clean up event turns 7 this year. The community wide event will take place on May 19th kicking off at Tracy Plaza at 8:00am. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:45am with cleaning locations also being given at this time. Lunch will be provided at the end of the clean up at approximately 12:00pm. Registered volunteers will receive a free t-shirt as a thank you for their hard work and participation. All refreshments are provided by local businesses and DJDC. “This being only my second year working on Hands on Jamestown, I am very impressed with the number of volunteers that dedicate their time on a Saturday morning to help beautify the downtown,” stated Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. “This is a great community event and has such a gratifying outcome for Jamestown.” DJDC appreciates the hundreds of volunteers the event draws every year. DJDC encourages home owners and businesses to clean up around their own property and establishments to help with the “Hands on Jamestown” cleaning efforts. This will also help make the event more community wide, instead of just focusing on the downtown. Some cleaning tools will be available, but it is recommended volunteers bring their own brooms, rakes, weed eaters, etc. Garbage bags, gloves and garbage pick up will be furnished. Anyone that is interested in participating in this year’s clean up is asked to complete the enclosed registration form and return it to DJDC by May 17th. Registration forms can be mailed to 19 W Third Street or faxed to 716-483-6175. For more information contact DJDC at 664-2477. Have a location that needs attention? Give us a call! - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 2007 St. Patrick's Day Celebration - A Family Event
The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation presented the Jamestown Area Medical Associates Third Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade on March 10th. The parade was a great success with a record number of parade participants. Following the parade, thousands lined up along the Chadakoin River to see Jamestown’s Famous Leprechaun magically turn the river green. Free refreshments were provided by the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, while the Brooklyn Square Café served a Guinness Irish stew. Profound fiddler, Jenna Moynihan, played Irish jigs during the afternoon activities while DJDC provided free train rides and stagecoach rides for everyone to enjoy. The Jamestown Area Medical Associates added a St. Patrick’s Day Coin Hunt. Three kids walked away with a brand new bike and a whole bunch of candy. “This year’s celebration was a great success,” stated Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. “Our goal was to provide a full afternoon of activities for the entire family to enjoy and that’s what we did!” Local AVON representatives, local businesses and DJDC joined forces to help raise money for next year’s St. Patrick’s Day activities. Shamrock claddagh pins were sold for $5.00 with a free entry into a $500 cash prize drawing. Local community member, Jeff Bloomquist, was the lucky winner of this year’s ‘Pot O’ Gold’ drawing. In the evening, the St. Patrick’s Day festivities continued at the Holiday Inn of Jamestown. A traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner was served. Famous Celtic Band, the Glengarry Bhoys, performed three sets following the 96th Highlander Pipes and Drums and the O’Sullivan Irish Dance Academy dancers. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Gus Macker Comes Home
In 10 years the Gus Macker Charity Basketball tournament has had four different homes but this summer it will move to its inaugural location on Third Street in downtown Jamestown on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Courts will line Third Street between Monroe Street and North Main Street. Due to the amount of traffic flow, Washington Street will remain open. As the event draws closer the DJDC and the Jamestown Police Department will release alternative routes to travel during the busy weekend event in June. “We are very excited to be bringing the 11th annual Gus Macker Charity Basketball Tournament back home to Third Street,” commented Tournament Director, Vicky Bardo. Since the first year in 1997, the Gus Macker has expanded from only 200 teams to 550 teams in 2006. Jamestown is one of the longest running tournaments compared to other host cities. The Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena will be the 2007 Tournament Headquarters. Player entry forms are available online at www.macker.com at $116 per team. Due to increased involvement every year, the Gus Macker planning committee is always in need of volunteers to help keep score, officiate games, garbage pick up and other various duties. For more information contact Vicky Bardo at 661-1477 - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 More Parking Now, More Development Tomorrow by: Lee Harkness - DJDC Executive Director There are many changes occurring in downtown Jamestown. Third Street is no exception to these activities. The former Pentecostal Church located next to the Grant’s Building has been demolished. The Colony Inn Motel has also been done away with. The removal of these buildings has provided opportunities for potential development and will be used as parking areas, in conjunction with the lot at Third and Washington, until the proper development circumstances are made available. The City of Jamestown will be working to upgrade the parking at Third and Washington by grading and general maintenance. This will provide additional parking for the West Side activities and development. Although these buildings have been demolished, the sites are being cleaned and prepared to provide opportunities for new development in line with the recently approved Urban Design Plan for the City of Jamestown. All of these locations will be used for parking, in support of Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, until final development occurs. The Gebbie Foundation is marketing the Grant’s Building for private development. They are using commercial reality firms that have national links. Using firms, with national connections, increases visibility of Jamestown projects and can “spark more interest” in the develop opportunities in Jamestown. All of these activities only enhance new business opportunities and development for “downtown Jamestown” and help in the revitalization of the community we are all so intimately involved in - Jamestown. All of these activities involve the Urban Design Plan and the implementation of that plan. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
The BWB Center Buffamonte Whipple Buttafaro, P.C. (BWB), the largest CPA firm in NY’s Southern Tier, and the Vineyard Group, LLC, a multi-faceted firm that offers a wide range of services, are preparing for a new move in 2008. Having outgrown their present office located at 100 East Fifth Street, they look forward to being an anchor tenant in a new office building located at the corner of Third and Lafayette Streets in Jamestown. Construction is anticipated to begin later in 2007. “We have always been committed to the downtown Jamestown area and the firm is very proud of the many positive and wide ranging contributions that the BWB family has made and will continue to make in our community,” said Kristy Zabrodsky, BWB Shareholder. The facility will be constructed by the Krog Corporation, based out of Orchard Park, and will be designed by the architectural firm Habiterra Architects, founded in Jamestown. For years, the vacant lot has remained a parking lot for local businesses and the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. With the help of downtown businesses, an area developer, and a local architect, the one acre lot is expected to be transformed into a multi-use building that will include rofessional offices, retail and food and beverage operations and will bear the name - The BWB Center. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
Business Highlights Lander's Men's Store
Lander’s Men’s Store, located at 215 N Main Street in Jamestown, has been in business for over 25 years. Clifford and Ann Powers bought the retail store in 1980 after working for the previous owner. The Powers’ added the Big and Tall selections and Tuxedos. Lander’s is the only men’s clothing store left in Chautauqua County and they provide free alterations on all merchandise. All items are in stock and there is no hassle with ordering from a catalog. Landers’s has a unique Customer File that any customer can provide their size and preferences for convenient shopping for future purchases. “2006 was our best year ever,” commented Clifford Powers. Visit Lander’s Monday through Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm, Friday 9:00am-6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm or call 483-5400 for “low prices, great service” and free parking! Games Revolution  Co-owners Jason Ray and Joseph Reed have a passion for getting people together to have a good time and socialize. Together they opened Games Revolution located at 100 E Third Street in Jamestown in November 2006. Open Monday through Thursday 1:00pm-9:00pm, Friday 1:00pm-10:00pm, Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm, people of all ages gather to sit and play a variety of board and card games. This unique downtown business offers games for “anyone who can read.” They provide lightweight family games, pen and paper games, collectible games and nothing electronic.
Jason Ray had high hopes coming to Jamestown to help “build a community” and to expand his philosophy of games “teach people to think.” Included with great accessibility and free parking, Games Revolution also offers great customer service. Call Games Revolution at 664-6116 or email gamesrevolution@windstream.net for more information. The Pub  Since 1965 The Pub in downtown Jamestown has provided community members and tourists homemade beef on weck, pasta dishes and sauces, and soups. Jim and Mary McCusker, Jamestown natives and co-owners, started the family based business which offers daily specials, to-go orders and seasonal drink specials. The Pub has sustained numerous regular customers and brings in new ones daily. When asked what the future holds for this longtime Jamestown business, “It can only go up from here,” commented McCusker’s nephew, Sam Lisciandro.
A combination restaurant and bar provides a unique and relaxed atmosphere for people to gather. “Where Friends Meet”, visit The Pub Monday through Thursday 11:00am-12:00am or Friday and Saturday 11:00am-2:00am. Grab a free parking spot outside the restaurant and choose a great meal from a full menu that is always available during operating hours. For more information call 488-6036. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Dan Gundersen Visits Jamestown Daniel Gundersen, the new upstate head of the Empire State Development Corporation, was the honored guest of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and the City of Jamestown on April 11, 2007. The Empire State Development Corporation is the chief economic development organization for the State of New York. Mr. Gundersen also brought Ken Schoetz, Gundersen’s Chief Operating Officer, for the visit. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the two to Jamestown and Chautauqua County. The visit to Jamestown follows a seven week familiarization trip throughout New York State. Gundersen and Schoetz were greeted at the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation by local, private and public figures that are involved with, and interested in, the future of Jamestown and Chautauqua County. Those attending introduced themselves and gave brief summaries of their involvement with Jamestown and Chautauqua County to familiarize the two visitors with development activities in progress and the future. Gundersen received copies of the newly adopted Urban Design Plan and other information pertinent to both Jamestown and Chautauqua County. Gundersen reported he is extremely interested in “small business” and realizes there have been some “shortfalls” in recognizing the importance of “small business” in the past. He realizes, without question, a vast majority of business done in the United States is done by businesses employing 20 people or less. He wants to be much more responsive to our small business entrepreneurs, while still responding to the needs of our larger industries. After the meeting at DJDC Headquarters Mr. Gundersen and Mr. Schoetz were given a riding tour of the Jamestown area, to allow them “first hand” knowledge or what had just been discussed in the meeting. Mr. Gundersen comes to us from Pennsylvania were he served as Chief Operating Officer for Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development directing operations that exceed millions annually. These operations include international business development that involves global competitiveness. Mr. Schoetz is a life long resident of Western New York and has government experience at both state and local levels including serving the last four years as Assistant Attorney General. Lee Harkness, DJDC Executive Director, of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation said “Mr. Gundersen and Mr. Schoetz are a great new asset to all of us here in Western New York—it has been a long time since we have had top State officials located here in Western New York, and it shows a commitment on the part of State Officials to recognize the fact we, in the very western part of the state, are part of the State of New York. After meeting these two state officials we found them to be very personable and caring about the job they have—I can see nothing but good coming from their leadership!” - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
DJDC Hosts Downtown Meetings The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation works very close with the downtown businesses, groups and organizations. Celebrate Jamestown is the event arm of the Promotion committee within DJDC. This meeting is open to any individual, business or organization that would like to be involved in the events and activities that take place in the downtown area. Meetings are held at 10:00am every other Thursday in the DJDC conference area. The downtown businesses gather at 7:30am the second Tuesday of every month to discuss any issues, problems, upcoming promotions, and much more. These meetings are held to keep everyone informed as to what is happening amongst the businesses and in downtown Jamestown. A free breakfast is provided. Contact the DJDC for more information at 664-2477. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
2007 Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market The 2007 Farmers Market eason will be opening on June 22nd and will continue to operate through October 26th. The Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market is open every Friday from 10:00am-4:00pm. The market will be located at 19 West Third Street, just like in the past. In 2006, the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation received a $10,000 Agri-tourism Grant to help fund the downtown market. These funds will be used towards advanced advertising techniques, agriculture recreation and educational activities and also to help bring in new entertainment during the summer season. The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation is looking for any groups/individuals interested in providing entertainment, cooking demonstrations and other agriculture related activities that will take place during the market. The annual Farmers Market Youth Day will be held on August 24th. Any business or group interested in participating in this year’s event is asked to contact Tiffani at 664-2477. The Farmers Market Youth Day will start at 11:00am and provide various free agriculture and healthy living activities for the communities’ youth through 3:00pm. For more information on this year’s market and how to participate contact DJDC. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Liberty Big Band Performs in Jamestown
The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation hosted the United States Air Force Liberty Big Band on March 9th. The concert was free to the public with over 300 community members filling The Crown Theater. The band played classic swingin’ sounds and a few contemporary pieces as well. Members of the band come from all over the United States and each one takes pride in preserving the heritage of America’s true art form - Jazz. “This was a great community event. We have had nothing but positive feedback from those who attended the concert,” commented Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. DJDC hopes to have the United States Band of Liberty or one of their smaller ensembles to perform again in 2008. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Celebrating Lucille Ball
The annual Lucy-Desi Days will take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2007. Lucy’s Birthday Celebration will be held August 3-5, 2007. Both festivals will operate in Downtown Jamestown on Third Street. The Lucy-Desi events incorporate Jamestown’s local community members and outside tourists who share a common interest - Lucille Ball. Past Lucy festivals have drawn both national and international fans. More than 40 fun events will be offered for the whole family including film fests, contests, appearances by Lucie Arnaz and other celebrities, outdoor movies, Lucytown Tours, memorabilia auctions, vintage collectibles, food, music, and more! “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the country and Canada, stated Lucy-Desi Center Executive Director, Ric Wyman. “And we’ve already had a call from someone in England who’s made hotel reservations!” For a complete schedule of events visit www.lucydesi.com or call 716-484-0800 for details. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Jamestown Jammers Opening Celebration
The Jamestown Jammers will have their 2007 season home opener on June 19th at Diethrick Park versus Mahoning Valley at 7:05pm. To kick off the baseball season, the Jamestown Jammers Opening Celebration will be held on June 17th in Downtown Jamestown. A parade will travel West on Third Street at 2:00pm to the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena where the 2007 team will be on site to meet and greet Jamestown’s own baseball fans. Jammers fans will be able to mingle with the team, take pictures and receive autographs. “This celebration will provide a great opportunity for the local baseball fans to meet the 2007 Jamestown Jammers,” stated Matt Drayer, Jammers General Manager. “June 17th is Father’s Day so we hope to see numerous families lining up along Third Street for the celebration.” The Jamestown Jammers will have various activities onsite for the whole family to enjoy along with live entertainment, a speed pitch inflatable and the Jammers mascot, Bubba Grape the Baseball Ape. Food and beverages will be available to purchase. Area baseball teams are highly encouraged to join this year’s Opening Day Parade. Area businesses and local organizations are also invited to participate in the parade by showing their baseball pride. Those interested in participating in the parade or celebration are asked to contact Tiffani at DJDC. “This is a great event for the local community to come downtown and meet Jamestown’s very own Jamestown Jammers,” commented Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. Purchase your season tickets and check out the season schedule on this website. For more information contact Jammers General Manager, Matt Drayer, at 664-0915 or Tiffani Reynolds at 664-2477. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 Taste of Jamestown 2007 This year downtown Jamestown restaurants will showcase their signature menu items during the first ever Taste of Jamestown on August 4, 2007. Area restaurants will set up outdoors along Third Street providing items off their regular menus they serve in their establishments. Many downtown restaurants have a very strong customer base and Taste of Jamestown will provide an opportunity for those who have not experienced the restaurants Jamestown has. Similar to the Taste of Buffalo and Taste of Ellicottville, in order to purchase the menu items, patrons will visit a ticket booth and purchase tickets and then visit the particular booths they would like to taste. Tickets will be available onsite and provided by the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation. “This event allows us to really show off the quality restaurants we have in Jamestown,” commented Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC Special Projects Manager. All of the downtown restaurants are invited to participate in this event. To be eligible for the Taste of Jamestown, restaurants must be considered a public eating place, whose primary commercial function is to serve food on a retail basis and offers seating at its primary location. All interested restaurants are asked to contact DJDC regarding their participation in the 2007 Taste of Jamestown. “We are in the infant stage of the event,” stated Reynolds. “This event is new to DJDC and we really want our restaurants to put on a good show this first year so we can only grow next year.” There will be cooking contests amongst the participating restaurants, children’s entertainment and much more for the whole family to enjoy. DJDC is looking for local bands and performers to participate in Taste of Jamestown 2007. “This is one more great annual event that DJDC is proud to be hosting for the local community,” stated Reynolds. Specific details will be released at a later date. Stay up-to-date on the Taste of Jamestown by visiting this web site often! For more information or to sign up a restaurant, contact DJDC at 664-2477. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
DJDC Committees Open to the Community The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation follows the National Main Street Approach, developed by the National Trust of Historic Preservation. This approach is composed of four committees used to revitalize older, traditional business districts, such as Jamestown. The Design committee enhances the visual quality of Jamestown by addressing commercial elements such as buildings, storefronts, signs, amenities, landscaping, and window displays. The Organization committee builds partnership among diverse groups and individuals. These groups and individuals work together to improve Jamestown in order to develop and implement a consistent, comprehensive community development program. The Promotion committee creates and markets a positive image of Jamestown to attract customers and investors by developing special events, festivals, retail sales promotions, and a public relations strategy The Economic Development committee strengthens Jamestown’s existing assets and fulfills its broadest market potential by improving the competitiveness of downtown merchants; recruits new businesses; identifies new anchors and encourages creative adaptive reuse of unused spaces. All four committees are open to the public. Anyone interested in participating in one or more of these committees is asked to contact Deb Luce, DJDC Main Street Manager, at 664-2477. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
 DJDC Hires Main Street Manager
The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation has added a new staff position to help rejuvenate the downtown businesses and empty storefronts. Debra K. Luce, former Executive Director of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, has joined DJDC as the new Main Street Manager. While in Randolph, Luce worked directly with the local businesses, coordinated annual community events, cultivated volunteers and obtained 501(c) 3 status for the Randolph corporation. “We are very fortunate to have Deb Luce join our staff. She is successfully experienced in “Main Street Operations” and has a great ability to work with all types of people to get the job done!” expressed Lee Harkness, DJDC Executive Director Debra’s job duties will include bringing in new businesses to Jamestown, business retention and utilizing the Main Street Approach developed by the National Trust of Historic Preservation by working with the four committees DJDC has incorporated into the organization. “I am very excited to be given this opportunity to work in Jamestown at the DJDC,” stated Debra Luce. “The amount of collaboration that I have seen in the short time I have been here is extraordinary and I can’t wait to be a part it. I look forward to working with the numerous businesses, organizations and members both of the public and private sectors to help foster a vibrant, strong and beautiful city that people want to visit and live in.”
Jamestown Renaissance Corporation The sole purpose of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is to implement the newly adopted Urban Design Plan. Composed of both public and private figures, the JRC board is diligently working to involve local community organizations and the City of Jamestown in the implementation process “We are aligning the DJDC committees to take a small part in the Urban Design Plan in those areas that correspond with each particular committee,” stated Lee Harkness, JRC President and DJDC Executive Director. The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation meets bi-weekly to continue to work on the implementation of the Urban Design Plan. There are numerous things already taking place in Jamestown that supports the plan, including the renovation of the Erie Lackawanna Train Station and the new RiverWalk. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
And now, a few words from our President… Here Comes the Sun…. By Mike Sullivan  While DJDC is always busy from year beginning to year-end, it really ramps up when the sun comes out and we move through the spring and summer. It seems that there will be a major event that DJDC sponsors or is part of, every week. The staff will be pushed to the limit and so will our core group of volunteers. With that in mind, think about how you might volunteer some time supporting the work that has one goal in mind, bringing business and vibrancy to downtown Jamestown. The old saying, that “many hands make light work,” is especially meaningful during this time of year. Another way of supporting DJDC’s effort to bring business downtown is by looking, by having a positive attitude and challenging the naysayers who are negative about everything and seem to delight in wearing down the staff and volunteers. When you see something go well, a little pat on the back never hurt, and, when something goes wrong, a little positive criticism given privately goes a long way toward building trust. To all the staff and volunteers who make DJDC the great organization it is, thank you. Keep up the good work. - To Download the March 2007 Newsletter "The Discoverer" in .PDF format Go Here!
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