JAMESTOWN-The state’s top financial watchdog strolled through downtown with Mayor Sam Teresi on Friday for his first look at a multi-million dollar revitalization effort that officials hope will resuscitate a city once dubbed the “manufacturing hub of the world.”
Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli told reporters that he was glad to be back in Jamestown nearly two years to the day from his last visit here.
“We see more business coming into downtown,” he said. “There’s a lot of things going on here. All very, very positive.”
The Comptroller’s arrival was delayed by about an hour because of traffic congestion on the NY State Thruway. He was greeted by Mayor Sam Teresi whom he claims to have a close working relationship with. Both Teresi and DiNapoli were elected to their respective positions before the start of the 21st Century.
“I commend the Mayor and the City Council for looking for opportunities to promote and attract small businesses,” the Comptroller said.
DiNapoli said the state is excited about the impending National Comedy Center but acknowledged the dangers of labeling it the Southern Tier’s economic savior.
“The big projects are important pieces of the puzzle, but by no means the entire puzzle,” DiNapoli stated.
“We walked past a relatively new coffee shop and micro brewery pub. Those are the type of amenities that more and more people want to see in their neighborhood.”
The City Of Jamestown was awarded $10 million dollars this year by Governor Andrew Cuomo as part of a massive revitalization bill hailed as a necessity for many upstate economies struggling to maintain pace with the bustling downstate machine.
While DiNapoli’s visit seemed routine, he said there are several projects that are being eyed very carefully.
“I wanted to get a personal update from the Mayor to see up close what’s happening with the money that the state is committing.”