Jamestown Community College board members decided against the downtown project at a Nov. 19 meeting.

Jamestown Community College is pulling out of the Dunkirk Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

JCC President Daniel DeMarte made the announcement in a Wednesday letter to college employees.

As part of Dunkirk’s DRI, JCC made a successful application “to renovate the Graf Building on Central Avenue to house a Workforce Training Center (both academic and workforce) that would potentially include childcare, offices for program partners, a career counseling center, a science lab, new classrooms, and computer labs,” DeMarte wrote.

JCC currently offers workforce development programs at its North County Center on Route 60 in the town of Dunkirk.

DeMarte stated the Graf Building project had “specific success criteria.” That included no new costs for the move, local business support, adequate available transportation and childcare, an enrollment target, and additional external funding.

DeMarte continued, “Prior to, during, and after the announcement, we have gathered data and analyzed every angle of the move, resulting in the submittal of our recommendation to not proceed.” He wrote that the JCC Board of Trustees backed the recommendation at its Nov. 19 meeting.

JCC may now look to sell part of the Graf Building property, which includes several parcels adjacent to the structure itself. The property was used for various Chautauqua County offices and services until 2023.

“The next step is centered around a series of recommendations to include, but not limited to, the sale of the main building and the surrounding parcels, while keeping the training center for Workforce Development programs, enhance College Connections with area high schools, and explore creative partnership opportunities with SUNY Fredonia,” DeMarte wrote.

“This approach allows for a reset and a more intentional focus on incremental growth while reducing operational expenses. “

DeMarte added, “There will be opportunities for faculty and staff to participate in reimagining JCC’s presence in and around Dunkirk.”

This marks a serious blow to Dunkirk’s DRI, an approximately $10 million state-backed project that came complete with a February 2023 visit by Gov. Kathy Hochul to announce it.

Other projects in the DRI include work on Dunkirk’s waterfront, and a renovation of an old bank building at Fourth Street and Central Avenue into business and living space.