FREDONIA, NY — Chautauqua County is pleased to announce that local artist Erin Ruffino will begin installation of the Water Street tactical bump-out artwork on Friday, August 21, 2026, with work continuing through Monday, August 24, 2026. The project is located at the intersection of East and West Alley, closest to 21 Water Street in the Village of Fredonia, New York. The tactical bump-out project is a pilot initiative funded through the Chautauqua County Complete Streets Fund and identified through the Chautauqua County Complete Streets Workgroup, a collaborative group comprised of representatives from the County’s Department of Public Facilities, Chautauqua County Planning and Development, Department of Health, and County Executive’s Office.
As part of the project development process, the County Complete Streets Workgroup collaborated with the Village of Fredonia and the Village’s Safe Streets Workgroup to select the artist’s proposal and discuss the project location, artwork concept, and design. This collaborative approach helped ensure that the pilot project reflects the needs and character of the Fredonia community while advancing shared goals for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and a more welcoming public realm.
The painted bump-outs are intended to enhance the pedestrian environment while providing an opportunity to test a low-cost, creative approach to improving safety and visibility at crosswalks. Tactical bump-outs visually and physically narrow the roadway at pedestrian crossings, helping to shorten the distance pedestrians must travel while encouraging drivers to be more attentive to pedestrians crossing the roadway. The artwork further increases the visibility of the pedestrian crossing, contributes to traffic calming, creates a stronger sense of place, and makes the streetscape more welcoming and engaging for residents and visitors. These bump-outs provide a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional curbed bump-outs, while allowing for easier snowplowing and winter maintenance.
As a pilot project, the Water Street installation will provide an opportunity for the County, Village, and community partners to evaluate how painted tactical bump-outs perform in a real-world setting and whether similar treatments could be appropriate at other locations throughout Chautauqua County. The project reflects the County’s commitment to Complete Streets principles that consider the safety and accessibility of all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and other modes of transportation. In addition to the painted bump-outs and crosswalk, the Department of Public Facilities will be installing removable bollards and pedestrian crosswalk signage.
“Complete Streets improvements are about more than making our roads safer—they are about creating main streets where people want to be. When we invest in attractive, walkable, and welcoming corridors, we create an environment that encourages investment, draws people to stop, visit local businesses, spend time in our communities, and come back, said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency. “This work is part of Chautauqua County’s broader commitment to downtown revitalization and improving quality of life through investments in public art, trails, parks, recreation, housing, and complete streets. Together, these efforts help create vibrant communities that attract people, support local businesses, and strengthen the places we call home.”
Artist Erin Ruffino stated, “It’s my hope the mural invites pedestrians and traffic alike to slow down and appreciate Canadaway Creek’s beauty, power, and rich history.”
Community members are encouraged to be aware of artists working in the area from August 21–24 and to use caution when traveling near the project site. The County appreciates the community’s patience and support as this creative placemaking and pedestrian safety pilot project is implemented.
