Glass Days slated to start May 29

DUNKIRK — Plans are set for the annual Glass Days festival.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday heard from Cindy Shepard, president of the Glass Days Committee, about various fixtures of the city’s annual Glass Days Festival.

Council members also approved a $500 donation to the festival.

Dunkirk residents can expect a similar set up as last year’s festival, with the stage appearing in the same location, Shepard said.

The car show will be along Main Street on June 1. The beer tent will also be in the same location — across the alley from the laundry mat — from May 29 through June 1.

Those interested in participating in any competitions during the festival can pick up forms at the city building, Shepard said. 

Streets will be closed for Glass Days starting at 8 a.m. May 26. They will reopen by noon June 3.

Also Monday, council members approved Dunkirk’s updated revitalization plan.

The plan includes a facelift near the railroad crossing on Main Street, tentatively named “The Glass Capital Crossing Gateway”; a rail trail loop that would front the Webster Depot; a bazaar that could include a makerspace or kombucha brewery; and downtown housing. 

Having such a plan in place opens the door to seeking grant funding for the projects.

“It’s been a pleasure working for the City of Dunkirk and all of you that have participated in the meetings that we’ve had,” said Ken Remenschneider of design firm Kimley-Horn. 

“We’re actually pretty excited about what’s in the plan and where you can go with that.”

In other business, council:  

•Tabled hiring another dispatcher for the city until council members can review Dunkirk’s end-of-year report.

•Heard from council member Tom Johnson, who said the park board meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday has been moved to 3:30 p.m. March 6 at the city building.

•Heard Sculpt Fitness, 120 E. Commerce St., will have its grand opening from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

•Made a correction to the amount for approved generator repairs from its Feb. 11 meeting. It was originally approved for $2,374.31. The correct amount is $2,417.73.

•Heard from Mayor Gene Ritter repairs are slated for the Depot and Stewart Brothers Building.

•OK’d purchases, including a $1,195 nozzle for the sewage department and up to $3,900 for Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department equipment.

•Heard from council member Jack Robbins that the city will begin to patch potholes when the weather warms up.

•Was told the Crime Watch Chili Cook Off is from 6 to 8 p.m. March 13 at West Jay Community Center.