Downtown Lancaster West Main Street Road Extension and Roundabouts

Wendel provided the Village of Lancaster planning, engineering, and construction services on this Empire State Development funded project. The Village received Smart Growth Community Funding through New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The project restored the historic street grid to enhance connectivity and economic viability of the Central Business District (CBD). West Main Street was extended through an existing vacant parking lot reconnecting Central Avenue and Aurora Street, creating new development parcels.

Wendel performed an extensive Existing Conditions Analysis before diving into design. This process included hosting an Immersion used to gain a first-hand, on-site understanding of the project’s physical, functional and operational challenges. This allowed the team to identify, and gain consensus on, the vision, needs, goals, and objectives for the project. The Village, Empire State Development, and the developer all took part. Wendel’s multi-disciplinary team, along with key M/WBE partners, provided a full service solution for all phases of the project including funding requirements for planning, study, preliminary design, environmental review (SEQR), permitting, design, bidding services, construction administration, and construction observation.

Complete Street engineering and design addressed a drastic street grade change, traffic flow, infrastructure capacity, and relocation of utilities for a more bikeable, walkable, and ADA-compliant thoroughfare. Re-establishing the historic street grid enabled new economic development opportunities for infill and mixed-use buildings that recreated the urban fabric of the CBD.

In addition to 800 feet of roadway re-construction, improvements included new lighting, retaining walls, new waterline and services, new stormwater system piping, repairs to the sanitary sewer, streetscape enhancements, and wayfinding signage. These improvements were designed to NYSDOT standards and enhance the vibrancy of this area, creating a destination for residents and visitors.