PORT JERVIS, NY — The City of Port Jervis plans to overhaul the center of the city streets to increase the ease of walking and biking. The plans were up for residents’ review and suggestions at a public workshop before the regular Common Council meeting September 12.

Front Street, Jersey Avenue and Pike Street are going to see major developments, with the aim of reaching several goals using Complete Streets, a New York State-sponsored program. Funds from the program are distributed by the Orange County Planning Department and Orange County Department of Health. Port Jervis was the first municipality to pass the resolution to sign up for Complete Streets back in April 2014. Newburgh is also participating in the program this year, and next year Middletown may also participate.

Complete Streets is an initiative of the New York State Department of Health, and its ultimate goal is to reduce chronic illness through increasing healthy eating and physical activity. In Port Jervis, Complete Streets ties in with another major city goal: to make the city more attractive to visitors and businesses alike.

The initial plans were open during the day at the city hall, and the designers, Alta Planning and Design, as well as Orange County representatives were present to hear opinions and suggestions.

Alta’s representative explained, “A lot of work has been done already,” pointing to the many drawings and a list of ideas on the wall.

The selection of cities to participate in the program was based on the number of children in the school districts who have either reduced or no-cost lunches.

Council members present gave their input.

Councilman Stan Siegel was worried about who gets to decide what materials are used in any new designs.

Alta designers explained they’re not making recommendations, but giving everybody a chance to see and comment.

Among the ideas for the streets are new bike lanes, bike racks, planting trees and other plants and sidewalk improvements.

Councilwoman Gina Fitzpatrick said, “I do see lot of people walking; is there widening of streets?” She also wondered about how businesses and restaurants on the streets would view the plans.

While sidewalk widening is in the plans, Mayor Kelly Decker said the trees need to be in the middle of an island so they have room to grow without touching or overhanging buildings. Ornamental flowers and grass are another alternative.

Other ideas included more parking, maybe in the middle of Front Street, and “some kind of loop system” in the center of city streets, and connecting the old railway tracks that run through the town with trails around the city.

David Krantz, one of the new owners of the planned Fox ‘n Hare Pub on Front Street, asked about how to approach the plans practically. “We already have a business, and the streets are underused,” he said.

Another resident wondered if the grant money was available for bike racks to use at the “beautiful high school track field.” She reported that it is hardly used by anyone, and the answer was “yes.”