The Peru Gazette

John T. Ryan

Peru – What will Peru’s North Main Street look like next year at this time? On November 29th a short-term and long-term vision for the all Main Street was presented to interested residents by Monica Ryan and Liam Law of River Street Planning and Development. Over the past two years Ryan and Law have working with Peru’s Main Street Committee to devise a short and long range vision for Peru’s primary thoroughfare. A public meeting was held in May, a plan was unveiled in September and on November 29th the plan was presented to the Peru residents and suggestions were elicited. Only about twelve residents attended. Counselor Donald McBrayer, the town board’s liaison to the Main Street Planning Committee, was present as was Adele Douglas, Peru’s Community Development Coordinator.

Funded by a $150,000 NYS grant, Phase #1 envisions a tree-lined North Main Street and improvements to the Route 22 – Maiden Lane intersection.  A portion of the street’s shoulder would be removed to be replaced by trees and grass. The existing, very wide road shoulder would still accommodate on-street parking. Ryan and Law said a tree-lined street typically reduces vehicle speeds promoting a more pedestrian friendly environment. Phase #1 also envisions curbing and more visible crosswalks being installed at the Route 22 – Maiden Lane intersection with the goal of slowing traffic and improving safety. (Click here to view all excellent slides depicting the process and changes) 

At the November 12th town board meeting, Supervisor Peter Glushko, Brandy McDonald and James Langley were concerned about New York State Department of Transportation’s (DOT) approval of the project (North Main Street is a state highway) and about the project’s effect on Peru water and sewer system. They asked if all residents residing along Main Street had been informed about the meetings and they wanted to be assured that grants would totally fund the project. Counselor McBrayer said the meetings had been advertised and he thought a letter had been mailed to people residing along the street. He requested that the other counselors be more involved with the project so that any concerns they have could be addressed. After discussion, Counselors McBrayer and McDonald agreed to hand-deliver a notice of any future meetings to people who reside or do business along the street.

Monica Ryan of River Street Planning & Development

The plan is on a tight schedule. Monica Ryan said the Master Plan will be ready for review in January. Final design and permitting documents would be prepared by sometime in March and construction would begin in the summer.

Future phases envision a new and more vital center core which would attract private business investment. Over 45,000 people reside within a 10-mile radius and over 1,500 people reside within an easy walking distance from the Route 22 Route 22B intersection. A walking trail loop, a tree-lined primary street and a more pedestrian friendly core would make Peru an even more attractive community for business investment and for residents.

Widening the existing North Main St. sidewalk making it a multi-use path the Little Ausable River Walking Trail is under discussion. It would encourage more trail walkers and bikers would travel a loop along Main Street and stopping at businesses along the route. Monica Ryan said that unlike most Upstate New York communities, Peru is projected to continuing growing at a moderate pace. Between 2000 and 2010 Peru’s population increased by 10%, one of the very few Upstate New York communities experiencing a population increase.

Ian Law of River Street Planning and Development

Depending on grant availability, a high future priority would include a path to the Walking Trail on the north side of the Route 22 bridge, (adjacent to Shear Creations Beauty Shop) and a sidewalk on the east side of the bridge giving pedestrians better access to the Tops Plaza and the Bear Swamp Road sidewalk. The Elm Street – Pleasant Street intersection would also be improved.