By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

On Nov. 12, the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA) will host a public input session regarding the future of both the Cazenovia Lake and Chittenango Creek waterfront areas.

The Village and Town of Cazenovia are in the process of developing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) that will identify issues and opportunities related to local waterfront areas and propose potential projects and policies designed to protect and enhance those locations.

According to CACDA Executive Director Lauren Lines, the focus of the LWRP will be on enhancing physical and visual public waterfront access opportunities; revitalizing downtown areas; protecting the community historic character; and enhancing recreation and tourism amenities.

The plan development is funded through a grant awarded to the village by the NYS Department of State under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

CACDA secured the grant with the expectation that the plan would lead to funding for future maintenance and improvement projects through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

According to Lines, implementation of the plan will depend on the availability of funding.

“Projects may be funded through the [Local Waterfront Revitalization Program] or through other sources,” she said. “Timelines for funding opportunities are in question due to the COVID-related budget challenges.”

The Nov. 12 meeting is the second chance for the public to provide input regarding issues and opportunities related to the local waterfront areas.

“In the upcoming session, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the [specific] projects proposed within the plan,” said Lines. “This chapter of the plan is key because a project must be included in the plan in order to be eligible for future funding under the program. Examples of potential projects include restoring the lake wall at Lakeland Park and [implementing] other elements of the Lakeland Park master plan; trail connections; projects to build natural filtration and reduce runoff into the lake; and downtown streetscape improvements.”

The drop-in style meeting will be held in the Village Meeting Room at 90 Albany St. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

The two sessions will be formatted to encourage one-on-one discussions with the LWRP committee.

Certified Landscape Architect Jocelyn Gavitt coordinates the committee and serves as consultant to the village.

In addition to Gavitt and Lines, the LWRP committee also includes Mayor Kurt Wheeler, Village Trustee Maureen Fellows, Town Councilor Kristi Andersen, Alix Shaw, Caitlin Gambee, Anne Saltman and Ted Bartlett.

Information on the proposed projects and visuals will be spread out around the room to allow for social distancing. All participants must wear masks.

Individuals who are uncomfortable attending the meeting in-person can email [email protected] to request an online discussion.

For more information on CACDA, visit cacda.net.