Route 88, Newark planning workshop
by John Zornow

Although hampered by Thursday evening's foul icy-rain weather, about a dozen people attended a public meeting concerning reconstruction of Route 88 through Newark.

Referred to as a long term Main Street initiative, the project was begun three years ago at the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, located in Rochester. GFLRPC provides general municipal planning and well as economic development and water resource planning, and operates for the benefit of nine member counties. The Village of Newark received a grant that will pay for the initial study.

Genesee Finger Lakes regional Planning Council Senior Planners Brian Slack and Jason Haremza answered many questions.

Showing maps, slides and other information, Slack and Haremza heard comments and answered questions concerning Historic Preservation, Pedestrian Safety, Street Lighting, Traffic & Parking, Landscaping, and Canal connections.

'Main Streets are the life blood of any community,' said Slack, who stressed that there would be more opportunities for the community to get involved in the process.

Slack said Newark has failing infrastructure, with North Main Street being the oldest in the village. Some of the North Main Street sewer lines are more than 100 years old.

The project, similar to the recent East Union Street re-construction, is still eight to ten years in the future and would encompass Route 88 from Rose Drive to Pearl Street.

Slack said it would be a 'clean slate,' with all utilities, sidewalks, and street lighting in the village right of way being replaced. At the same time issues concerning the width of roads, and pedestrian crossings would be addressed.

Barbara Meeks asked if consideration could be given to areas that have no designated safe crossing for several blocks. Former Mayor Sue Earl suggested this would be the time to construct an additional turning lane for traffic headed for the Newark Hospital.

Newark contractor Dick Colacino indicated that burying of electric, cable, and telephone lines, eliminating unsightly poles would be best for all concerned, but companies like NYSEG are hard to convince.

Surveys were sent to all businesses and residents on Route 88. GFLRPC also works to obtain grants for such projects. The local costs can be as little as five percent to the municipality.

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