Other new developments include a 200,000-squarefoot storage facility and expansion of concrete operations—repurposing underutilized land for taxgenerating uses. INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DELIVERS Municipal infrastructure is costly—but Depew has found ways to keep services top-notch without burdening taxpayers. Roughly half of the village’s revenue comes from property taxes, but strategic use of state programs like CHIPS, Pave New York, and Bridge NY allows the village to maintain local roads while relying on state and county partners to maintain major routes like Routes 130, 78, and Walden Avenue. Another major win: fiber internet. In 2022, Depew became GoNetspeed’s first local partner in Erie County. The Village’s compact layout made fiber rollout economical. Today, residents enjoy service from two competing fiber providers—GoNetspeed and Greenlight Networks—giving them rare redundancy and reliability. A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH In a community where the housing stock is mostly built out, growing the tax base without adding single-family homes is the key to sustainability. “We’re not going to cut services—our residents are happy with what they have,” says Peterson. “So, we have to think creatively.” Future plans have the Village pursuing a $4.5 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant to rehabilitate aging homes and further incentivize private investment. The housing market affirms Depew’s success: properties that sold for $86,000 three decades ago now routinely list above $280,000, due to regional demand and Depew’s livability. “Depew is an ideal place for young families,” Peterson says.“We’ve improved the park system, strengthened public safety, enhanced walkability, and kept taxes in check. Our services are second to none.” DEPEW’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS By transforming environmental liabilities into 45 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 DEPEW, NY
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