3) Site Assets

The advantages and disadvantages of the site for future development were analyzed by project personnel, and were discussed with numerous project stakeholders such as governmental officials and business representatives from the Village and surrounding municipalities.

The consensus is that the site’s strategic location; its available infrastructure; and its overall size, shape and terrain, make it amenable to a wide range of uses as well as configurations of open space, structures, parking, etc.

The Peter Cooper Gowanda (PCG) site sits in a unique and strategic location unlike any other property in the Village or region.  The site is located directly on Cattaraugus Creek at the mouth of the Zoar Valley - the two defining natural resources of the region.  Cattaraugus Creek, once considered a prime source of power to run the early industries in Gowanda, is now a popular destination for whitewater rafting and trout/salmon fishing enthusiasts.  Right in front of the site are several well-known fishing spots, as well as a whitewater rapid known as the “Grand Finale”.

Access to Cattaraugus Creek and the Zoar Valley is very limited due to the steep topography of the valley and the amount of property along the creek that is under private ownership. The PCG site, therefore, offers one of the few undeveloped at-grade access points to the Creek in the Village. Cattaraugus Creek and its tributaries have been identified as a Priority Project in the New York State Open Space Plan, which states:

• “This stream system is the single most important Lake Erie tributary for the salmonid fishery within New York State.  The spring and fall migrations of steelhead trout (rainbow) attract thousands of anglers to the creek each year and access has become a premium.  The system also provides access to Lake Erie by the boating user.  The creek has habitat and is currently utilized by the steelhead for spawning/nursery areas and this natural propagation of the primary sport species is critical in supplementing the overall trout fishery in the Lake Erie system.”

In terms of whitewater paddling (including kayaking, canoeing, rafting), the growing popularity of Cattaraugus Creek as a whitewater enthusiasts’ destination is reflected in a recent newspaper article that had the following to say about the “Catt”.

• “The Cattaraugus is one of the best kept secrets’ around … but serious paddlers have located this area.  When the water is high, kayakers come from all over.”

• “This is one of the best rides in the Northeast when its four (feet) or above.”

• “The second half of the rafting trip along the Main Branch of the Cattaraugus is where most of the rapids are found, from Curly, Larry & Moe to … the Grand Finale (a true Class III: high, irregular waves capable of swamping an open boat.)”

 Key linkages between the site and other Village assets are discussed in Section 8.  

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