Welch says Village of Lewiston pursuing funding for Academy Park pavilion

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

The Village of Lewiston has set its sights on another big-ticket addition to Academy Park: a pavilion.

On Monday, Mayor Anne Welch said the municipality will ask the Town of Lewiston to sponsor a Niagara River Greenway funding proposal in the amount of $250,000.

“This would house our Memorial Day (luncheon), farmers market, veterans functions, the Peach Fest, reunions, picnics,” she said. “I think that Academy Park warrants a nice picnic pavilion.”

She noted donations in the amount of $120,000 have already been received.

The pavilion rendering was created by architect Jim Fittante of Fittante Architecture. A member of the Historic Preservation Commission, Fittante donated drawings and his time in preparing materials.

Greenway funding, if approved, would come courtesy of the Host Communities Standing Committee, of which the Town of Lewiston is a member.

The New York Power Authority finances Greenway projects. As part of NYPA's 2007 relicensing agreement and the subsequent Greenway Plan, the power authority agreed to pay $450 million over 50 years to support greenway-related projects. The HCSC is annually allotted $3 million.

A pavilion plan will be submitted to the Historic Preservation and Planning commissions for feedback and approval.

Academy Park pavilion rendering by architect Jim Fittante of Fittante Architecture.

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Of Note

Also at Monday’s monthly meeting, trustees approved:

√ A motion to approve a three-year lease renewal agreement with Aimee Loughran for Just Desserts by Aimee at 476 Center St. – inside the “Little Yellow House.”

√ A motion to close Onondaga Street, from North Second Street to North Third Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, for the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department’s “Haunted House Spooktacular.”

√ A motion to approve the request made by Boy Scout Troop 855 for use of Academy Park on the corner of Cayuga and South Ninth streets from Nov. 18 through approximately Dec. 18 to accommodate the annual Christmas Tree sale.

Boy Scout Troop 855 also plans to host a chowder sale on opening day, Saturday, Nov. 25.