Montour plans $550K Main Street improvements

    MONTOUR FALLS—Details have been finalized for the Montour Falls Gateway Project, which will use a $550,000 grant to improve Main Street.
    Mayor John King explained the work is expected to start next April. The Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant includes 20 percent that must be matched by the village. The focus is to get more people to Main Street/downtown by creating a gateway. King said new sidewalks, lighting, and a village sign will create a visual entrance to the downtown at the Route 14 and Main Street intersection.
    Green space will be added to the middle of Main Street, at the Route 14 intersection. King said it will contain trees, lighting, and a sign that says “Montour Falls.” He added that all four sidewalks will be redone at the intersection and extended east on Main Street away from downtown. King also said green spaces will be added to three of the street corners at the intersection.
    The other big part of the project will be the improvements to the parking lot behind Jerlando’s and Henderson’s Drug Store. King said part of the lot will be repaved, lighting and green spaces added, and a kiosk installed. He added that if the businesses agree, green space will also be added at the very backside of the stores. King explained the parking lot kiosk is being funded by Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail.
    Other aspects of the gateway project will include two bus parking spots. King said a second sign/kiosk will be installed in front of the Montour House. He said a committee will be formed to decide what to put on the signs.
    Another grant will be used to plant trees along Main Street. King said this is a $23,000 grant that the village must match 50 percent. Even though it is a separate grant, the trees will be planted at the same time the Gateway Project work is done next year.