Department of Development

Crystal D. Surdyk
Director of Development

The City of Jamestown Department of Development is committed to providing economic, social, and cultural opportunities through a variety of public and private partnerships and resources to engage, educate and empower our citizens, create vibrant and safe neighborhoods with decent and affordable housing options, and to generate new investment that will improve the overall quality of life, well-being and sustainability of the entire community. The Department of Development also aids business owners, both small and large, with grant and low-interest loan programs in the hopes of creating jobs within the city. This department is also in charge of administering Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funds.

The DOD includes the Jamestown Local Development Corporation (JLDC) and the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA). Further information can be received at 716-483-7541 or dod@jamestownny.gov.

Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

FY 2021 Annual Action Plan Public Comment Period Now Open

Notice is hereby given that The City of Jamestown’s CDBG and HOME FY 2021 Annual Action Plan has been prepared and will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pending a mandatory 30-day public review period. The purpose of this public input period is to assist the Department of Development in gaining a better understanding of the housing, neighborhood, and economic development needs that should still be addressed through the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program allocations for 2021.

Public Meetings will be held on Monday, June 14^th, and Monday, June 21^st, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room, on the Third Floor, Municipal Building, 200 East Third Street Jamestown, New York. A Public Hearing will be held June 28, 2021 at 6:30PM in the City Council Chambers, Second Floor, Municipal Building, 200 East Third Street Jamestown, New York.

The draft plan will be available beginning Friday, May 28, 2021, in the Department of Development and the Office of the Mayor, Third and Fourth Floors (respectively) of the Municipal building at 200 East Third Street, Jamestown, NY 14701. Additionally, they will be made available at Prendergast Library and online at www.jamestownny.gov. All comments regarding Annual Action Plan will be accepted up until June 28, 2021 by 4:00 pm, in writing to the Department of Development, Municipal Building, Third Floor, Jamestown, NY 14701.

The Jamestown City Council and the subsequent submission of the City’s FY 2021 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will consider all comments received prior to the formal authorization of the application.

Any person with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the meetings should call (716) 483-7612 with their request prior to the scheduled meeting(s).

Access to the full draft is available here.

Riverwalk Community Skatepark, NEPA review – Public Comment Period

A public comment period will be conducted from May 20, 2021 through June 4, 2021.

The purpose of this public comment period is to provide the community the opportunity to review and submit feedback on the U.S.DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT regarding the Riverwalk Community Skatepark project. Access to Part I of the full draft is available here with Part II available here.

The Jamestown Department of Development will consider all submissions received during the public comment period.

COVID-19 Alerts and Information

Any permits shall be filed with Larry Scalise, Building Code Enforcement Officer, by appointment only. Residents may call during normal business hours for all other questions and concerns.

All code enforcement officers are directed to limit inspections to external buildings only. Inside building inspections are not permitted during this time with the exception of emergency situations.

Click here for Resources for Businesses & Workers Impacted by COVID-19.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Department of Development is looking for citizens interested in being appointed to the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee (CDCAC). The Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee (CDCAC) will review the established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, approved Consolidated and Annual Action plans, and comprehensive plan and will recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate fair housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value. In addition, the CDCAC identifies incentives that are pertinent to affordable housing and serves as an information resource to help improve affordable housing feasibility.

The CDCAC shall serve in an advisory role to the Department of Development, Planning Commission and City Council. The committee may study, research and recommend policies and actions to the City Council and other committees as appropriate to promote affordable homeownership and rental housing, and implement the goals, strategies and action items of the City of Jamestown 5-year Consolidated and Annual Action Plans and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.

The CDCAC will submit an annual written Recommendation Report to the City Council Housing Committee at the end of every calendar year.

Individuals interested in applying should submit applications to the Department of Development at dod@jamestownny.gov.

Application