The North Portage corridor is the first impression many people have when arriving in town off of Interstate 90 (Thruway Exit 60). While some signage does currently exist to direct people to either destination, those unfamiliar with the area are unlikely to truly understand the assets located nearby. To remedy this issue, we propose a thruway exit gateway that will integrate visitors into the community, will exhibit and explain community assets and will allow for a transition from thruway driving into a complete street. For example, visitors could park at the exit gateway, rent bicycles, and ride on the Barcelona Harbor to Chautauqua Institution Trail to Barcelona Harbor, or the historic downtown (each of which is a relatively short drive). This could at least partially alleviate parking demand at both locations.
More importantly, as one of the first thruway exits in New York for eastbound travelers, this welcome center would allow for local goods to be exhibited and for local small businesses to advertise their services, with a distinctly “New York” focus. For example, those hosting local wine and brewery tours could use this center as a starting point/meeting area. The space could be configured for local wineries, farmers, and artisans to exhibit their wares. The facility could potentially feature an operator that purchased exclusively goods produced throughout New York from manufacturers like the nearby Big Tree Maple, Southern Tier Brewery, or further away, Yancy’s Fancey and McCadam cheese. The facility could also establish partnerships with trade groups like the New York Apple Association to expand its reach. Efforts will be coordinated with the Town of Ripley to coordinate offerings with their proposed Thruway Welcome Center.