Resources

Plans & Studies

The studies below have shaped the core of our work at the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. The 2006 Urban Design Plan was instrumental in making the case for the creation of our organization. Following several years of focused work in the downtown area, there was growing interest in better understanding the challenges facing Jamestown’s neighborhoods. In response, the City of Jamestown: A Livable Community study was conducted in 2010, providing critical data and actionable initiatives to address the city’s broader needs.

The JRC expanded its efforts to carry out many of the strategies outlined in that report. Both the Urban Design Plan and the Livable Community study have since been updated, reinforcing the value of our work and offering a clear path to build on our successes—helping Jamestown move closer to its full potential.

Jamestown Urban Design Plan (2006)

This plan presents a clear vision for revitalizing downtown Jamestown, outlines the necessary actions to achieve that vision, and defines the roles and responsibilities of the institutions and individuals who can bring it to life. It is the result of an exceptionally collaborative effort involving city government, business and community leaders, foundations, downtown businesses, and local residents.

City of Jamestown: A Livable Community (2010)

This report provides a strategic blueprint for revitalizing Jamestown’s neighborhoods and creating a vision to enhance the city’s livability. It outlines implementation plans and policy actions essential to achieving these goals. The report is the result of a collaborative effort among the City of Jamestown, the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA), the Jamestown Planning Commission, and the Jamestown Strategic Planning & Partnerships Commission.

Neighborhood Update Report (2017)

This report updates the data and analysis presented in City of Jamestown: A Livable Community (2010). It provides evidence that our interventions are yielding positive results and recommends adjustments to our strategies. Most notably, it proposes refining the Renaissance Block Challenge program to focus efforts on designated “target areas” over multiple years for greater impact.

Jamestown Urban Design Plan 2.0 (2018)

This plan provides an updated assessment of the progress made in implementing the original Urban Design Plan (UDP) for revitalizing downtown Jamestown. It reaffirms the vision for renewal, outlines the next steps needed to achieve that vision, and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the institutions and individuals involved. The plan emerged from an exceptionally collaborative effort that included city government, business and community leaders, foundations, downtown businesses, and residents.

Storefront Mastery District Report (2022)

This report builds on the foundation of the original Urban Design Plan by assessing recent progress in downtown revitalization, with a specific focus on storefront activation and district-level improvements. It outlines actionable strategies to further enhance downtown Jamestown, and defines the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders. The report is the product of a highly collaborative effort involving city government, community and business leaders, foundations, downtown merchants, and local residents.

Other Relevant Studies

City of Jamestown Comprehensive Plan (2024 – Update Underway)

The City of Jamestown is currently in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan—its first since 1998. This effort began in 2024 and will begin with goal-setting, followed by a thorough inventory and analysis of current conditions. The plan will provide an in-depth look at the key issues shaping Jamestown today and offer a series of policy recommendations to guide future growth, development, and revitalization in alignment with the community’s long-term vision.

Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan (September 2021)

Developed through the collaborative efforts of the Gebbie Foundation, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, Board of Public Utilities, City of Jamestown, the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA), and several private business stakeholders, the Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan presents a blueprint for transforming the Chadakoin River Corridor into a vibrant and distinctive destination. The plan builds on existing assets, identifies key public improvements, encourages increased activity that enhances quality of life, and aims to leverage future investment throughout the river corridor and basin.

Serving as an extension of the City’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), this plan supports the continued implementation of the LWRP, Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOAs) Program, Urban Design Plan, and Comprehensive Plan.

(Project Area: Chadakoin River Corridor)

Unite North Main Street (2017)

Led by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, this planning effort brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to examine the North Main Street corridor—from I-86 to downtown—and identify opportunities to enhance corridor and city identity, beautification, wayfinding, neighborhood vitality, and street functionality, while establishing a welcoming gateway into the city.

The plan compiles data on traffic patterns, land use, zoning, demographics, and more to provide a comprehensive understanding of the corridor’s current dynamics. Based on this analysis, it outlines a series of recommended next steps grounded in Complete Streets, Smart Growth principles, and other best practices to guide future improvements along one of Jamestown’s most important thoroughfares.

Downtown Jamestown Economic Development Strategy [AECOM] (2015)

In anticipation of the opening of the National Comedy Center, the Gebbie Foundation engaged AECOM Technical Services, Inc. to evaluate strategic economic development opportunities that could help maximize the center’s economic impact on downtown Jamestown.

The study conducted a comprehensive review of existing conditions and market dynamics, including downtown performance indicators such as hotel occupancy, residential development potential, retail demand, and future hotel needs.

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (2014)

The City of Jamestown Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a locally developed, comprehensive land and water use plan focused on the Chadakoin River. It addresses the city’s natural, public, and developed waterfront resources. The LWRP refines and supplements New York State’s Coastal Management Program, providing a strategic framework for addressing key waterfront issues and guiding the implementation of planned improvements along the river corridor.

Downtown Jamestown Business Mix (2012)

W-ZHA was engaged to identify an optimal business mix for downtown Jamestown, aligning with the city’s brand of “Up Close and Wonderful.” The study focused on attracting households seeking an urban, walkable environment and a dynamic creative center, helping to define the target market and inform downtown business recruitment strategies.

Jamestown Tourism Branding Project (2011)

The Jamestown Tourism Branding Project aimed to define Jamestown’s tourism identity by identifying the city’s unique appeal as a destination. The project established a distinct brand “lure” for visitors and outlined a detailed marketing plan to build awareness and drive tourism. This work played a key role in advancing the goals of the Urban Design Plan.

City of Jamestown Traffic & Streetscape Enhancement Plan (2008)

This plan provides strategies to improve both vehicular and pedestrian circulation throughout downtown Jamestown. It includes recommendations to enhance the downtown streetscape—making it more attractive, safe, and welcoming—while taking into account the city’s unique features, including the railroad, waterfront, and topography.

City of Jamestown Historical Survey Report by Bero Associates (1993)

Conducted by Bero Associates, this historical survey documented the architectural and historical assets throughout the City of Jamestown. The report provides a foundation for preservation efforts and informs planning and redevelopment in historically significant areas of the city.