East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 8) 8 Continued from page 6 was to cultivate a common vision for the project. With NYSDOT’s understanding, the RTF objected vociferously to any changes that might distort Main Street’s personality. The Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce has been involved as well, encouraging merchants to stick to their business plans. According to Executive Director Gary Grote, the restoration will be swallowed in manageable bites without serious disruption to the economy. “It’s important to note that twoway traffic is planned for all phases,” says Grote. “There’s always ample parking behind the businesses on Main and there won’t be any barricades blocking cars.” Several merchants have formed partnerships to carry them through the transition. Nancy Montone, co-owner of the cavernous Pink home décor store, is optimistic things will go smoothly. “If you have to replace your furnace, it’s not something you’ll be excited about,” says Montone. “It’s just something you have to do. It’s the same way with the Main Street project.” Montone and other merchants are developing ideas for maintaining the flow of customers. “We’re trying to create a drumbeat of repeatable events that promote the shops.” Barbeques and live music in the common parking area behind Vidler’s have been discussed, as well as a trolley service to entice Roycroft visitors further down Main Street. “When it’s finished, it’s going to be even more beautiful and exceptional than before,” promises Montone. “We’ll continue to be that strong little village that’s so unique and eccentric — one for all and all for one.” The improvements are slated to begin in August 2007. The RTF and NYSDOT will continue to engage the public for the duration of the twoyear facelift. In the meantime, Main Street’s bread-and-butter summer events will continue uninterrupted. The Roycroft Summer Festival and Outdoor Art Show are on June 23 & 24. On July 28, it’s the annual Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale. And with a show of confidence in the renewal project, organizers of the annual ToyFest are bringing their event to Main Street for the first time, Aug. 25-26. The revitalization is also intended to help regulate East Aurora’s traffic. Since 1980, vehicle miles have increased in the village by an average of 1.7 percent per year. Her distinctive traffic circle will undergo “calming” for the sake of cyclists and pedestrians. The flow of vehicles will improve with the extension of Grey Street, allowing many motorists to bypass the circle altogether. The plan includes augmented green space with more trees and landscape cues. Improved sidewalks and curbs will promote a safer, more aesthetic pedestrian experience. “We already had a very unique, walkable community, and now we’re enhancing that,” beams DiPietro. “We didn’t want Main Street widened. We insisted that the character be kept the same.” To that end, the perimeter of the Roycroft Stick with Brick Observe the common brick, stoic and humble. East Aurora’s Main Street was bejeweled with these beauties generations ago. Sadly, the depression years saw a steady rise in the use of asphalt. With ever-increasing automobile traffic, maintaining Main Street’s bricks became tedious and impractical. It didn’t help that the motoring public preferred a smoother ride. With the industrial boom of World War II, cheap pavement was in and bricks were out. Well, they weren’t exactly “out.” Road crews just smothered them over with hot, smelly asphalt. It was an inglorious end. Across the country, roads with personality were deemed antiquated, replaced by nondescript, shoeblackening ribbons of goo. Over the years, new layers of asphalt were added to old, burying history deeper still. Obviously East Aurora had to adapt. But out of respect, a gorgeous stretch of Main Street’s bricks have been left untouched for decades. That whappitywhap sensation you feel between Elm Street and the railroad overpass isn’t a flat tire — it’s pure Americana! Campus will have its period lighting restored. Its proud stone wall will be mended. The renewal will have a profoundly positive effect on shopping and heritage tourism in the village. Visitors can expect a Main Street befitting the modern East Aurora, with an appreciative nod to her past. �� � �� �� ��� �� �� � � �� ���� � �� � �� �� tful It’s a n A r ! ce Exp e r ie n 138 Grey Street, East Aurora 655-4456 ������������������������������������������� Spend quality time creating something of beautiful quality, for your self or for a perfect personalize gift. TRAIN SETS �������������� ��������������� ������� ���������� ������� ��������� ������������� �������� ��������� �������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 1) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 2) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 3) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 4) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 5) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 6) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 7) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 8) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 9) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 10) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 11) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 12) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 13) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 14) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 15) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 16) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 17) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 18) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 19) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 20) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 21) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 22) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 23) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 24) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 25) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 26) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 27) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 28) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 29) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 30) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 31) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 32) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 33) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 34) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 35) East Aurora and Beyond - 2007 Visitors Guide - (Page 36) http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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