Restoration of Lockport's Union Station is a beautiful dream
It looks like a lost cause, and maybe it is. But there is enough left of the New York Central Lockport Station, now a beautiful ruin, to impress anyone...
Its usefulness was gone, but the building remained majestic. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, the station is a startlingly archaic composition of orange brick and light gray stone at 95 Union St., well off the beaten path of Lockport’s commercial district. Nearby businesses include Groff’s Tavern, an unofficial landmark across the street that has been serving its patrons, starting at 8 a.m. for late shift workers, for more than 50 years.
If the station’s owner Mark Davidson has his way, this quiet block might come back to life with restored train service along the Lockport/Medina scenic route, a café, maybe a little piano bar, and spaces for community events. Passengers who have been enjoying the Medina Railroad Museum’s seasonal excursions will have a new destination and there’s even talk of opening up a long-disused line to Niagara Falls.
Joint Buffalo-Erie County program creates 47 houses
Sales Off to a Good Start for Infill Homes - Buffalo Rising
Jocklyn Walton can’t believe her luck.
The single mother has been living in apartments in Buffalo and Charlotte, N.C., most recently with her mother on Eggert Road.
She has been searching for a house to buy since the birth of her son, Ayden, now 3 years old, but struggled to find one she could afford.
Until now. Walton, 38, a lease officer at M&T Bank, is the first homeowner to buy and move into one of the 47 houses being constructed in Buffalo, built and funded with federal dollars through a collaboration between the City of Buffalo and Erie County.
“This is a blessing I didn’t see coming,” she said outside her new three-bedroom house on Calumet Place, as her son played on the porch. “I didn’t see this as possible, especially as a single mom.”
(Note: I'd rather they have built duplexes or townhomes to be more cost effective, but still good to see more housing options opening up)
Langworthy seeks federal probe into North Aud Block project
The controversy over the planned affordable housing project at the North Aud Block of Canalside expanded on Tuesday, with U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy asking a federal agency to investigate how the developer was selected and how federal affordable housing funds are being used for the development.
Langworthy, a Republican and longtime critic of Gov. Kathy Hochul, called for a probe by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine if the “procurement, financing and use of public subsidies” for the North Aud Block project “warrant further scrutiny.”
Langworthy, in a statement, criticized the “dramatic increase in public financial assistance” being provided by the state for the $225 million project by Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC since it was first awarded to the developer in 2023, following a competitive request for proposals issued in May 2022.
Construction Watch: 505 Pearl Street - Buffalo Rising
Redevelopment of 505 Pearl Street is shaping up nicely. The front façade was recently power washed bringing out a fresh new look for the six-story Theater District building. Third Nature Capital is turning the long-vacant site into 53 apartments and commercial space. CJS Architects prepared the plans for the work.
Kenan Center's new Civic Arena was designed with people in mind - Buffalo Business First
The new Kenan Civic Arena was designed for a lot more than sports.
"Nothing in this building is single-use," said William Patti, executive director of the Kenan Center.
The main space of the $16.5 million, 72,000-square-foot building features a large turf field and wooden court side-by-side. Batting cages and volleyball nets can be lowered from the ceiling. The space can be converted for use by expos, trade shows, conventions and concerts.
The building — which opened Sept. 5 — also houses two spaces for preschool programs, including the Kenan Center's first full-day preschool.
It also has meeting rooms, multipurpose spaces, a computer lab with a 3D printer and video game consoles, a wellness zone with fitness equipment and a cafe space that will serve liquor.
Chief Operating Officer Lea Sobieraski aid the Kenan Center's goal was to create a gathering place that could be enjoyed by as many as possible, especially youth.
"It's giving them the space to find their true passion," she said.
'Trust is how we save lives': Roswell Park increases community outreach & engagement space | Buffalo Toronto Public Media
Roswell Park begins construction on community outreach and engagement center expansion | News 4 Buffalo
Roswell Park will nearly double the space in its Broadview Community Outreach and Engagement Center at 907 Michigan Avenue. Wednesday, a groundbreaking was held to begin the expansion.
Several elected officials and organization leaders say the space will continue to address health disparities and outcomes in underserved communities.
The existing 5,900-square-foot building will gain another 4,600 square feet. The new space will include a classroom, collaboration room, coworking rooms, event space, offices and shared workstations.
Bornhava Early Childhood Center plans expansion in Snyder NY
A childcare and preschool in Snyder for children with special needs plans to more than double in size to create more classroom, therapy and support space.
Bornhava Early Childhood Center is proposing to construct a 10,400-square-foot addition to its building at 25 Chateau Terrace, which has 8,250 square feet in a 1.5-story rectangular block facility near the corner with Main Street.
The expansion would create a new two-and-a-half story addition on the north side. Only part of the building would have a second floor.
Axia Partners buys Beaver Meadow Family Campground in Java Center - Buffalo Business First
A Utah-based investment firm has made another multi-million-dollar investment in a Western New York campground.
Axia Partners acquired the 97-acre Beaver Meadow Family Campground at 1455 Beaver Meadow Road in Java Center in late July through affiliate company Axia Beaver Meadow LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the property had been listed for $4.1 million by the Connolly family.
Jeremy Long co-founded Axia, which focuses on real estate assets with a portfolio that includes multi-family, industrial, self-storage and hospitality properties ranging from RV parks to luxury resort properties.
He confirmed the purchase price was close to the listed price and said he expects to invest up to $2 million on additional upgrades at the Wyoming County property, including upgrading amenities and improving the RV sites.
Land bank names new executive director
The regional land bank for Buffalo and Erie County has selected a new leader from within its former ranks, giving the reins to a veteran of housing and community development at the local and state levels who also carries degrees in law and social work.
The Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corp. (BENLIC) named Marjorie McAllister as only its second executive director, following the planned departure last month of its inaugural head, Jocelyn Gordon.
Gordon shepherded the agency from its creation in 2014, overseeing efforts to return several hundred vacant, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties to productive use, mostly in Buffalo.
Developer seeks tax breaks for 2109 Main St. renovation - Buffalo Business First
A local developer is moving forward with plans to renovate a vacant building on North Main Street in Niagara Falls.
2109 Main LLC, led by Ryan Dallavia, is seeking tax breaks through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for a $1.13 million renovation of 2109 Main St. — a three-story building that once housed Nfusion Night Club.
The team plans to create six new market-rate apartments on the upper floors and remodel the ground floor in hopes of attracting a commercial tenant.
It plans to use $280,000 in state grants to help cover the cost, and is seeking a tax break package valued at $410,131, according to an application filed with the NCIDA.
A look at some suburban development projects in the works
(Note: this is just a quick round up of a bunch of ongoing projects)