Quality of Life

Sherman - a family-orientated, walkable, and bikeable community

The Village of Sherman’s iconic streetscape and
historic character contribute to its charm and
identity. Main Street displays beautiful Italianate
bracketed cornice top along the antique brick
façades, the pendant lights aligned under the
covered walkway awning along the attached
row buildings, and the draped colored lights
celebrating each season crossing overhead
on Main Street.

Quality of Life

Affordable Housing

The compact tight-knit village is made up of lower and middle-income residents. The target area provides a sense of space consisting of eateries,
parks, trails, a library and museum with increasing amenities for residents and visitors. The downtown
mixed-use attached row buildings have 2nd floor apartments, with more 2nd and 3rd story possibilities. There are too few rental apartment
units and a high demand for single-family dwellings and small single-story homes accommodating the
accessibility needs of senior citizens.

Commercial & Retail Main St Businesses

The Cornerstone Restaurant, Cooler Bar & Grille, Mama’s Pizza, and Sherman Hotel are successfully
growing the restaurant business. However, Sherman is lacking fresh food options, such as a local farmer’s market (which ended during COVID),
local goods store, or general store that would provide healthy, fresh options for residents in the greater Sherman community whose only current option is a Dollar General, with eleven miles to the next grocery store. Downtown has vacant buildings in need of retail establishments and experiential
shops accommodating the increasing number of visitors.

Walkability & Bikeability

The Village’s Beautification Committee planted over 100 street trees. The Village has committed
to replacing sidewalks with 5ft widths. The Complete Streets Policy adoption bolsters and better defines the Village’s plans to extend sidewalks, calm traffic, install crosswalks, and
improve signage and wayfinding. The
Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails, a developing part of the greater Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, provides connectivity to the region and beyond.

Community Space, Recreation, Cultural & Entertainment Amenities

The Cooler Bar & Grille holds outdoor concerts and hosts volleyball tournaments. George Edmunds
Memorial Park is the grounds for annual community festivals, including Sherman Days, the Sherman
Music Festival, and the Christmas week celebration concluding with the growing, creative Sherman
Lighted Tractor Parade routed down Main Street in a Hallmark style setting. The Community Center coming soon with coffee shop and Farmer’s Market,
will provide a public space available to
all residents and visitors for fellowship
and programming.

Community Space cont.

The family-friendly neighborhood experience continues with the Village of Sherman’s French Creek Yorker Museum, a Living History Museum
transporting you back in time with the
beautifully curated local antiques and history. The Minerva Free Library offers afterschool, preschool, and summer reading programs, as
well as book club, and game nights. The K9 Complex is a competitive dog sports facility offering agility, obedience, rally and walking
trails. It is the first full spectrum dog facility in WNY. The planned inclusive We Rock the Spectrum – Sherman children’s sensory gym and adjacent Autism Nature Trail will provide
accessibility and play for all children.