City of Dunkirk residents have reason for frustration. An 84% property tax hike payment is about to come due and the $10 million Downtown Reinvestment Initiative that was announced by state Gov. Kathy Hochul in early 2023 seems almost irrelevant.

Other than work taking place at the former bank location at Central Avenue and Fourth Street, there has been little to be excited about. Jamestown Community College pulled out of plans in December to locate its north county campus near City Hall and the community seems uncertain on the efforts for Memorial Park.

During a recent meeting, Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak said there will be a guest speaker and discussion about the park proposals that include a welcome center and stage at the next Economic Development Committee gathering. It is scheduled for March 25 at 4 p.m. in the city planning and economic development office, inside the Stearns Building next to City Hall.

“Everyone’s invited, to find out the facts, to ask questions,” Luczkowiak said. “There is going to be a public forum regarding the going forth of (the project), by the way — but here is also another opportunity for us to talk about it, find out needed facts, and ask questions.”

More than two years ago, Dunkirk was hoping this bucket of funding would provide momentum for downtown. It still might — but the fiscal worries of the last year have been sinking optimism and could be keeping developers away.

One way for the city to deal with its deficit of millions is by growing. That’s a heavy lift when there are few bright spots at the moment.

What should be a time of excitement — with a $10 million infusion — has become another source of angst. As unfortunate as this is, it all comes back to city leaders not having an eye on out-of-control expenses and dwindling revenues that lasted for years.

Morale, it continues to be noted, is suffering inside City Hall due to the crisis. Once the inflated tax bills officially go out, a distressing sentiment will then be in the hands of property owners.

City leaders and employees, especially now, must keep that pain in mind as well.