A photograph of two people walking along a sidewalk in a Main Street setting.

City of Hornell Streetscape Improvements

Streetscape Enhancements Improve the Main Street Experience for Residents and Visitors Alike

Once the center of the railroad industry in the Southern Tier, the City of Hornell, New York, continues to serve as a hub of commerce for the surrounding region. LaBella worked with the City to design streetscape enhancements for the downtown area, focusing on improving pedestrian connections, providing wayfinding signage, and creating opportunities for public art installations.

The project included sidewalk replacements to enhance accessibility, upgraded benches, tree replacements, and the addition of electrical components. The goal was to introduce modern elements while preserving the historic and welcoming atmosphere enjoyed by residents and visitors.

These improvements were completed along Main Street from Center Street to Seneca Street, as well as Broadway Mall, Pave Alley, and other various alleyways throughout the downtown area. Funding for this project came from the New York State Round IV Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant awarded in 2019.

Electrical outlets were installed adjacent to the newly installed trees.

Tree replacements were installed along Main Street. Flexi-Pave, a rubberized asphalt material, was used around tree pits and planting areas in lieu of soil or metal grates. Flexi-Pave allows stormwater to drain through it, directing water to the tree roots while maintaining a level surface adjacent to the sidewalk. This solution reduces tripping hazards along the sidewalks and improves the overall safety of the area.

An Award-Winning Project

City of Hornell’s Streetscapes Win APWA NY Chapter Regional Public Works Project of the Year Award

In February 2025, LaBella and the City of Hornell were honored to accept the 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Transportation < $5 Million category from the Western New York Branch of the American Public Works Association (APWA) New York Chapter for streetscape improvements.

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in the management, administration, and implementation of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant, and the contractor.

An Award-Winning Project

City of Hornell’s Union Square Park & Streetscape Improvements Projects Recognized at APA New York Upstate 2025 Awards Event

The American Planning Association’s New York Upstate Chapter awards celebrate originality, innovation, engagement, and successful implementation in community planning. This year, LaBella and the City of Hornell were honored to receive the 2025 Great Places in Upstate NY Award for the City’s Union Square Park & Streetscape Improvements projects!

The 2025 Great Places in Upstate NY Award recognizes public spaces which demonstrate exemplary character, quality, and planning, having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.