Design firm conducts meeting in Hammondsport

HAMMONDSPORT--More than 40 people attended the Hammondsport-Urbana Waterfront Master Plan community input session Thursday, Nov. 20. The meeting was hosted by Matt Ingalls of Ingalls Planning and Design along with Executive Director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) James Johnson. Ingalls said the purpose of the meeting was to gather ideas and concerns about what residents would like to see for the future of waterfront development in Hammondsport.

Johnson said the focus of the first community session was to generate a discussion about the future of the community and its relationship to the waterfront with the consultant team.
"There was a good deal of discussion related to enhancing existing public and private space along the water front as well as creating linkages with the waterfront including better linkages to the area tourism attractions and the downtown business district," Johnson said. "I think many of the ideas were practical, but the purpose of last night was to generate a discussion to begin to develop a shared community vision for the waterfront. From that vision then we will begin to formalize discussions around projects that help move the community toward that shared vision."
Johnson said from the work last night the group began to see themes develop around access to the lake, the development of public spaces and the creation of linkages. However, he added it is still too early in the planning process to begin establishing goals.
"I wouldn't say the ideas were for current or future development but rather looking at our current assets and opportunities and how to take advantage of what we already have to work towards growing and enhancing these assets in the future," Johnson said. "Of course some of the goals which we will establish will be more short-term while others will be driving a longer term vision but that is typical of any planning process."
Johnson said the consultant team will be reviewing the information that was gathered during the meeting and begin to frame up the vision and target goals. He said this information will be reviewed by the advisory committee in December. Johnson said once the advisory committee has approved this then the team will begin to formalize the strategies for presentation to the community in the spring of next year.