Great cities are defined by their public spaces—areas that serve as civic living rooms where both everyday moments and extraordinary interactions take place.
Jamestown offers many unique spaces shaped by the city’s distinctive topography and rich history. Sloping brick streets and alleys, dramatic vistas, and blocks framed by elegant architecture come together to create exceptional opportunities for vibrant public spaces.
The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is dedicated to embracing these opportunities by developing spaces that encourage investment in surrounding buildings and increase pedestrian activity. After all, great public spaces are meant to be experienced—and the more people enjoy them, the more lively and engaging the city becomes.
Jamestown Artscape
Downtown – 2nd & 3rd Streets
ArtScape is a collaborative initiative led by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, in partnership with Chautauqua Art Gallery and the City of Jamestown Parks Department. This ongoing program transforms downtown Jamestown into an outdoor gallery by showcasing selected works from a juried art competition. Artists of all ages are invited to participate, with chosen pieces reproduced on banners displayed on light posts throughout the downtown area—bringing creativity and color to the public realm.
Winter Garden Plaza
313 North Main Street
Winter Garden Plaza is a 5,000-square-foot paved public space featuring trees, stepped seating, and striking views of the surrounding cityscape. It occupies the former site of the historic Winter Garden Theater—a cornerstone of Jamestown’s downtown entertainment scene for more than 75 years. Following the theater’s closure in the early 1990s and a thorough evaluation of potential renovations, the site was reimagined as a vibrant public plaza.
Phase One of the project was completed in 2011, introducing an inviting open space for community gatherings and passive enjoyment of the cityscape. In 2019, Phase Two added enhanced landscaping, lighting, seating, and a covered stage area, expanding the plaza’s role as a downtown destination.
Winter Garden Plaza is available for community events and includes access to electricity.
Upcoming 2025 Events at Winter Garden Plaza
August 28 – August 30 – Whirlybird Music & Art Festival
September 18 – Third Thursday Concert Series
Potters Gallery
Downtown’s scenic alleys are a distinctive feature of the urban landscape. The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has led five alleyway renovations, including the installation of 63 pieces of student artwork at Potters gALLErY. In partnership with the City of Jamestown Department of Public Works, Jamestown High School, Jamestown Community College, Tom Mason, Vacanti’s Extreme Signs, Volt Vision, and the Gebbie Foundation, Potters Alley has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery showcasing exceptional student art.
Additional collaborations are underway to expand the presence of local artwork throughout downtown. Local artists, cultural organizations, and students and staff from Jamestown Public Schools are working together to bring more public art to the city’s core—creating a dynamic and engaging environment for all to experience.
Potters Terrace
Corner of E. 3rd Street & Potters Alley
Potters Terrace has returned as a welcoming public space in the heart of downtown. Once closed in 2019 due to structural challenges, the pocket park was thoughtfully redesigned and reopened in the fall of 2022. With new life and purpose, it now offers a refreshed spot for visitors and residents to relax, connect, and enjoy the character of the city.
The Iconic Jamestown Chair
Corner of W. 3rd & Lafayette Streets
The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Fancher Chair Co. Inc. proudly celebrated the city’s rich furniture-making heritage with the installation of an oversized chair at the corner of Third and Lafayette Streets in downtown Jamestown.
As part of an effort to expand public art aligned with the Jamestown Urban Design Plan 2.0, JRC partnered with Fancher Chair Co. to commission a historically inspired piece for the city’s core. Fancher Chair Co. enthusiastically led the design and construction, resulting in a striking, handcrafted chair that stands as both a piece of public art and a tribute to the region’s legacy.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way this turned out,” said Kristy Kathman, JRC Deputy Director. “Pete Scheira and Gary Henry at Fancher Chair took a rough idea and transformed it into a true work of art. They were incredible partners, and the finished piece is one everyone can appreciate.”
Master Sample Maker Brian Millspaw crafted the chair based on the iconic “club” chair design by the historic Jamestown Lounge Company. Made from oak and weather-resistant materials, the chair was built to last and permanently installed by Davis Concrete & Excavating.
Fancher Chair Co. donated the chair to the community as a tribute to Jamestown’s furniture industry and the many people who helped shape it. Since its installation, the chair has become a favorite photo spot for residents and visitors alike.
To learn more about Jamestown’s furniture-making legacy, visitors can explore the furniture exhibit at the Fenton History Center, where stories of the craftsmen and companies that defined this era come to life.
