This project has been revised somewhat, in terms of scale and location. Although the services provided have been expanded upon, the basic premise of the proposal remains the same. In essence, an opportunity exists for expanded entertainment facilities in Ellicottville for the generation of summertime recreation. A tourist information center would serve as the anchor for general entertainment projects, forming a multi-use complex that could include tourist-oriented attractions such as cultural/performing arts center, cinema, specialty retail shops for arts and crafts and antiques, and connections to regional biking and hiking trails. The complex could also serve as a location for a community resource center and/or municipal offices. The location for this proposed development is as yet unconfirmed.

This development program will require a minimum of 2,000 s.f. for a tourist information center, 2,000 s.f. for an interpretive center, a 3000 to 5000-seat performing arts center, and 32,000 s.f. of artist studios and shop space. The total land requirement will be approximately 80 to 100 acres.

Policy Issues:

This project will go a long way to bolster Ellicottville’s central business district with tourism development. The main question is – how will the central business district be maintained and how will the benefits of all the proposed attractions distributed throughout the district?

The second issue deals with the potential for promoting sprawl outside the village and the potential for negatively impacting the rural nature of the village if some of the elements of the project are constructed in outlying areas. Keeping new construction close to the central business district combined with appropriate site and architectural design guidelines or standards will aid in preventing sprawl and maintaining the rural character of the village.