u/AWierzOne

Town of Hamburg zoning change for ECC South Campus property paves way for future nearby stadium development | wgrz.com

Hamburg rezoning near stadium meant to entice development

Now that the new Highmark Stadium is open for business, two primary Southtowns communities are looking at planning and zoning for future potential development nearby. 

It is a 105 acre site in the town of Hamburg right on the doorstep of the new Highmark Stadium - so how best to use that parcel?

The ECC South campus property is expected to be available for development in the coming years as Erie County phases out college operations.

But with an understanding and guiding thought for its future prospects at Town Hall as Supervisor Beth Farrell Lorentz told us: "While it is next door to an NFL stadium we knew that it needed io be a complement but not solely dependent on the number of events that were at the stadium to be able to be sustained and thriving."

Russell L. Agrusa Hall construction underway at UB North campus - Buffalo Business First

• Russell L. Agrusa Hall's foundation work began in December on the University at Buffalo's North campus.
• The $111 million engineering building will complete construction by summer 2029.
• UB plans additional Lee Road buildings including an Interdisciplinary Research building starting summer 2027.

Inside the long, troubled saga of the Buffalo Grand Hotel

Sitting at the southeastern end of downtown Buffalo, the hulking Buffalo Grand Hotel languishes as a testament to decades of decline, a renovation plan gone sour, and the struggles of a developer with dreams but no dollars.

Canadian developer Harry Stinson had high hopes and grand plans to redevelop the city’s largest hotel and restore its former glory as an events and conference center.

Instead, those ambitions have been repeatedly dashed, as one stumbling block after another – including some of his own making – has derailed those plans. And despite his oft-stated intentions to keep trying, the city is stuck with a derelict structure with crumbling concrete, cracked pavement, dirty windows and overgrown weeds.

Originally built in 1978 as the Buffalo Hilton, the 486-room hotel has been vacant for over six years, since it closed when the pandemic struck in March 2020.

But instead of reopening months later as other hotels did, the Buffalo Grand has remained shuttered because of a long renovation, a devastating fire, a prolonged insurance battle, a lack of funding and an ongoing legal fight with Canadian regulators that Stinson says is hindering his ability to bring in new partners. The city is fed up with waiting, and ready to take control.

(Note: this gives a great run down of the history of the building)

Another year, $40 million needed for Tonawanda Coke cleanup

The end is within sight for the cleanup at the former Tonawanda Coke property.

After six years of interim plans and emergency cleanup work, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in June approved a final remedial action work plan. The 1,417-page document will guide developers in the final stages of cleaning up the former coke manufacturing site.

The cleanup is about $20 million over the original budget of $100 million and two years behind schedule. But developer John Yensan of Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus Inc., which owns the 86.5-acre site, said it should be ready for redevelopment beginning next fall.

LaSalle station redevelopment moves forward, - Buffalo Business First

• Buffalo and the NFTA partnered with Long-Island based developer the Albanese Organization to develop the LaSalle station property.
• The plan includes 75 affordable housing units, 266 additional residential units and a new transit station.
• The project could start by the end of 2027, though it's too early to tell whether that timeline will happen.

Plans to bring a Costco to West Seneca take another step forward during the town's planning board meeting | wgrz.com

The West Seneca Planning Board met on Thursday, August 13, and on the agenda was the plan to bring a new Costco to the site of the former Seneca Mall. The planning board approved the initial site plan for the project. 

In addition to adding a Costco, they plan to move up to 18 different retailers into the long-vacant site. According to officials, some of the businesses will be local. 

Developers revealed the project will take at least two years to complete. At this point site work isn't expected to start until the second quarter of 2027. Officials said accommodations will also need to be made to manage and improve traffic in that area. 

Buffalo Next: New housing project begins in Dunkirk

A downstate affordable housing developer that has been active in Western New York has kicked off construction on a new 78-unit affordable housing project in Dunkirk that will include support for homeless veterans.

Regan Development of Ardsley, N.Y., is starting work on its $37 million Homesteads at Dunkirk Landing venture to provide new housing options, while advancing revitalization efforts and restoring blighted brownfield properties to active use

West Seneca narrowly OKs reuse of Malecki estate

A former mansion in West Seneca is on the way to becoming an affordable housing complex.

With two dissents, the Town Planning Board last week gave the green light to plans for the West Seneca Apartments, a 75-unit affordable multi-family housing project at 2544 Clinton St. that was once the home of the founder of Malecki Meats.

But the project will take a different form than originally envisioned. And it has a new out-of-town developer running the project − one that is gaining increasing visibility in Western New York: Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC, developer of the Commodore Perry Homes and the proposed affordable housing project at the North Aud Block at Canalside.

Blitz of properties around Bills new stadium enter market

Want to own a property next to the Buffalo Bills' new stadium? You’ve got a lot more options to choose from these days.

More properties are on the market around the $2.2 billion stadium set to open next month now that a few lucrative sales have happened in the area.

Since the owners of the Bills Mafia House raked in nearly $850,000 on their Fay Street property earlier this year, it’s had a domino effect on the area’s available market.

‘A huge asset for this area': Eastern Hills Mall redevelopment update

More than a year after plans were approved to transform the Eastern Hills Mall into a mixed-use town center, developers say progress is continuing behind the scenes with infrastructure improvements now moving forward.

The redevelopment plan aims to turn the property into a walkable destination with new retail, restaurants, office space, entertainment, housing, and outdoor gathering areas.

In February 2026, New York State announced $30 million in funding for sewer infrastructure improvements along Transit Road, including the Eastern Hills site. Developers say the sewer capacity study has now been completed, and design work is underway under the direction of Erie County’s engineering team.

The sewer upgrades are a critical piece of the project because they will determine how the property can be developed over time.

The first phase of redevelopment is expected to focus on commercial projects that require less sewer capacity, including retail stores, restaurants, fitness centers, medical facilities, entertainment venues, and office space.

Developers say future phases will incorporate more sewer-intensive projects, including multi-family housing and hotels, as infrastructure improvements expand.

(Note: This doesn't feel like an update - it just seems like the same stuff they said a year ago)

Horizon Village expands men's facility in Sanborn with $1.8M - Buffalo Business First

• Horizon Village will expand its 50-bed men's facility by 5,000 square feet.
• The state Office of Addiction Services and Supports will fund the $1.8 million project.
• Horizon Corps operates 131 residential treatment beds across its Sanborn campus.

State seeks public input on cleanup plan for former Voelker's Lanes property | wgrz.com

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public comment on a proposed Brownfield Cleanup Program project at the former Voelker's Lanes property in North Buffalo.

The site — which includes properties along Elmwood Avenue, Marion Street, and Amherst Street — is planned for future apartment development. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted through Aug. 28.

Placemaking Projects in Downtown and at Waterfront - Buffalo Rising

Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC) in partnership with the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place, and funding partners from the M&T Charitable Foundation have officially unveiled a series of placemaking projects downtown and along the waterfront.

The placemaking projects include painted crosswalks, street furniture, planters, and wayfinding.

Certos plan Town of Niagara townhomes near Amazon warehouse

For more than a century, the family-owned Certo Brothers Distributing Co. was linked to the sale of beer, wine and spirits in Western New York, until Wright Beverage Distributing of Rochester bought the business in January 2020.

Now, the family is getting into the real estate development business, as its Peter Certo Corp. seeks to put up 22 new market-rate townhomes for rent in Niagara County, in hopes of capturing some of the expected demand from the new Amazon warehouse workforce in the Town of Niagara.

And it’s asking for more than $2 million in tax breaks for the $7.1 million project, which is already getting pushback from residential neighbors upset about not only the tax breaks but also disruptions on their street and intrusions on their privacy.

“They don’t live in the Town of Niagara. I do,” said neighbor Jessica Hughes. “Look out for the families that are already here.”

Peter Certo Corp., led by president Joseph J. Certo and Anthony Certo, is proposing to construct two 11-unit townhome buildings on a pair of adjacent single-family properties that it owns at 5700 and 5710 Porter Road. The properties, which Certo already acquired, contain two homes of 1,056 and 728 square feet, respectively.

AKG Public Art Initiative Partners with BCAT to Install Mural on Organization's New Home - Buffalo Rising

In January of 2025, we posted that Douglas Development had completed work at 368 Sycamore Street. The developer paid $615,000 for the three-story, 32,698 SF former warehouse in March 2022.  The circa-1949 building was most recently occupied by Concept Logistics and has been converted to office use. The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) now occupies the building’s top two floors.

BCAT relocated to the East Side from its Midtown Main Street location, which was located across the street from Delta Sonic.

The new space has allowed BCAT to:

• Double the number of classrooms
• Offer more than 15 adult workforce programs to more than 100 adult participants
• Continue its successful youth arts and technology afterschool program
• Open a large public community gallery
• Provide room for events and gatherings
• Create opportunities to serve students in their own community and to contribute to the economic development in the area

Town of Tonawanda passes law mimicking statewide data center pause | News 4 Buffalo

The Town of Tonawanda officially passed a law Monday to temporarily pause any large data center projects after months of debate from residents, mimicking Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide pause.

The Governor’s executive order is going to cover what is occurring here in Tonawanda,” Town of Tonawanda Supervisor John Flynn said.

This local law in the Town of Tonawanda places a yearlong moratorium on data centers with an electrical demand of 20 megawatts or more, meaning the town will not accept or process applications for any of those types of projects during this pause.

Flynn said that after much debate over the proposed $2 billion data center at the former Coke site, the town called for a public hearing on a six-month pause the day before Governor Hochul signed a statewide one-year moratorium on large data centers back in July.

Springville Center for the Arts builds downtown ecosystem - Buffalo Business First

• Springville Center for the Arts has five construction projects in efforts to build an arts ecosystem.
• Art's Cafe, a collectively owned business, drew over 63,000 visitors last year.
• The organization funds development through charitable donations, grants and volunteer labor.

Onetime Carborundum building eyed as warehouse space

A veteran real estate development and management company specializing in revitalizing distressed and historic properties is taking aim at one that certainly fits the bill: the former Carborundum facility in Niagara County.

Middleport-based Hellner Development Co., owned by Rollin Hellner, wants to buy, restore and reuse the 114,000-square-foot industrial building at 3425 Hyde Park Blvd. in the Town of Niagara, turning it into warehouse and industrial space that could be leased.

Property near Buffalo Central Terminal stirs debate

Plans to turn a former community center across from the Central Terminal into a Buffalo Police Department training facility and gun range have been controversial from the start.

Now it looks like the city might be open to other options.

Deputy Mayor Benjamin Swanekamp told The Buffalo News in an interview last week that the city did look at the property as a potential site for a new city animal shelter, as Mayor Sean Ryan made a campaign promise to find a new site for the beleaguered Oak Street shelter.

But he also stressed that 379 Paderewski Drive is one of a handful of buildings being considered for that purpose, not to mention the possibility of building new on vacant land. The site continues to be used as an active shooter training facility with office and classroom space by the department. Police Commissioner Erika Shields is reviewing the gun range plan and could still decide to move that project...

The Central Terminal Neighborhood Association, a community group, previously endorsed the plan to put the police training center and gun range at the site. But last week the group came out in support of locating the animal shelter in the building instead...

Last week members of the advocacy group Liberation for One, Liberation for All, or LOLA, made social media posts describing a rumor that the building was being considered as the site of the new animal shelter. In a subsequent news release, they again urged the city to use the building again as a community center.

In a phone interview Sunday, Alia Williams, a group member, said the group continues to view a community center as the best use for the space and ultimately much more affordable than either an animal shelter or gun range, which would each require substantial capital investment.

(Note: Nothing is easy!)

Tonawanda wants to turn old industrial dump into town park

The Town of Tonawanda since the 1980s has envisioned transforming a former dumping ground for toxic industrial waste into a riverfront park.

The town is moving closer to finally seeing this idea become reality.

The Town Board last week approved a preliminary agreement with National Grid to lease the former Cherry Farm property from the utility and, separately, voted to seek a $1 million state grant to help pay for work at the site.

Town Supervisor John J. Flynn said the revival of the Cherry Farm site is a priority for the town, where the public has limited waterfront access because so much of this land historically was given over to heavy industry.

‘Stupid idea’: Ex-Tonawanda supervisor meets one of his fans

Joe Emminger, who ended his 10-year tenure as Town of Tonawanda supervisor in May, recently received a vivid reminder that not everyone loved everything he did while in office.

On June 26, Emminger’s birthday, he and his son Joe Jr. were playing a round at the town’s Brighton Park Golf Course.

They were on the back nine when they ran into someone at the 16th hole playing on his own. The Emmingers invited him to join them.

The trio began chatting while waiting to tee off at the Par 3 17th hole.

“And me being who I am, I want to find out about this guy,” Emminger told us.

He asked where the man lived − Kenmore − and whether he belonged to Brighton’s men’s club.

“He said, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm a member here,’ ” Emminger recalled. “He says, ‘Do you know that the supervisor had a crazy idea to turn this course into 12 holes?’ He says, ‘What a stupid idea!’ ”....

Back on the course, Emminger said, “My son kind of looks at me and starts laughing.”

“I look at the guy. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘I was that supervisor.’ And I said, ‘That's still a good idea,’ ” Emminger told us, chuckling at the memory.

Emminger told the other golfer the plan won’t happen anytime soon, but it will someday because Tonawanda doesn’t need two 18-hole golf courses.

“He said, ‘It can happen 15 years from now, I don't care,’ ” Emminger said.

Construction Watch: Elmwood/Tupper - Buffalo Rising

Like Heritage Point at Canalside, the mixed-use project at S. Elmwood and W. Tupper is using wood frame over steel construction. The development at the northwest corner of S. Elmwood Avenue and W. Tupper Street is being developed by Chris Wan. It will include 42 apartments and 14,960 sq.ft. of commercial space when finished.

Krog, Greenleaf buy three downtown properties from Diocese of Buffalo - Buffalo Business First

Done Deal: Buffalo Diocese's Main/Goodell Properties - Buffalo Rising

The Diocese of Buffalo has officially sold three downtown properties, including its former headquarters, in a pair of deals totaling $4.6 million.

The largest of the three parcels houses both the former Courier-Express newspaper building at 795 Main St. and an attached office building at 801 Main St., as well as the adjoining parking lot. It sold for $2.76 million to an affiliate of Buffalo-based developer Greenleaf and Co.

NY offers big subsidy for North Aud Buffalo housing project

At a time when developers regularly say financing is hard to get, the North Aud Block housing project at Canalside just lined up funding that will cover more than two-thirds of the project cost – from the state. 

That financing illustrates why its developers are focusing more on affordable housing for lower-income residents than on market-rate apartments – a shift that recently sparked criticism from a group of developers and downtown officials.

The project by Philadelphia-based Pennrose received $152.9 million in funding from government programs that encourage the development of affordable housing. That’s enough to cover 68% of the total cost of the $225 million construction project, which would create 251 apartments in three buildings on the site of the former Memorial Auditorium...

And it puts a focus on how expensive the new apartments will be to build, averaging $896,000 per unit. The state funding amounts to $609,000 per apartment.

Costco to anchor former Seneca Mall site in West Seneca - Buffalo Business First

After years of anticipation, Western New York will be getting not just one, but two Costco locations.

West Seneca Supervisor Gary Dickson confirmed on Facebook that the former Seneca Mall site's anchor tenant will be Costco. There is no projected opening date at this time, he told Business First.

(Note: I hope this doesn't take as long as the Amherst location)

Construction begins on controversial North Aud Block project

Canalside construction picks up in Buffalo

Pennrose breaks ground on $225M North Aud Block project in Buffalo - Buffalo Business First

After several weeks of controversy over a shift toward a mix of more affordable apartments, construction on the last major piece of Canalside redevelopment kicked off Monday, as state officials announced that work started on a 251-unit housing project at the North Aud Block.

The $225 million project by Philadephia-based developer Pennrose will fill in the last big piece of land at the long-vacant site of the former Memorial Auditorium, which was torn down in 2009, leaving a big hole in the ground that city and state officials have spent years trying to redevelop.

It will join the adjacent Explore & More Children’s Museum, the new Chandlery or Gateway Building that the state’s Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. recently completed, and the Heritage Point market-rate housing project that Sinatra & Co. Real Estate is working to complete by 2027 on the adjacent South Aud Block.

$13M restoration of Lackawanna basilica hits milestone - Buffalo Business First

• The $13 million restoration of Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna began in 2021.
• Ninety percent of the specialized restoration work was completed by local workers.
• The copper dome replacement is expected to wrap up in 2027.

Construction starts on Nest housing project in Niagara Falls

Construction has begun on a six-story housing project in Niagara Falls that will transform a vacant downtown parcel into 73 affordable and market-rate apartments, along with first floor commercial space.

Community Services for Every1, in partnership with Edgemere Development, is building the 82,000-square-foot project that will feature studio, one- and two-bedroom units, along with 4,445 square feet of ground-floor commercial space to provide job readiness and workforce development training.

Buffalo Schools has a plan for Leonardo da Vinci High School

Buffalo wants to scrap Da Vinci move to SUNY Buffalo State

Buffalo Public Schools intends to abandon a four-year effort to move the district's high-performing Leonardo Da Vinci High School to SUNY Buffalo State University's Buckham Hall, according to a resolution on the School Board's agenda for its meeting this week.

Superintendent Pascal Mubenga on Monday explained in a statement why he filed the resolution.

"As superintendent, I consulted with the Board of Education on multiple occasions about relocating Leonardo daVinci High School to the campus of Buffalo State. Those discussions made it clear that the board did not support moving forward with the relocation of DaVinci and instead directed me to change course," he wrote.

"It is my responsibility to carry out the direction of the board, therefore, a resolution was submitted that upholds the board's stance and is required because the board previously approved a resolution endorsing DaVinci's possible relocation to Buffalo State's Buckham Hall."

The Da Vinci project's rising costs are the primary driver for scrapping plans, the resolution reads.

(Note: No idea what is happening with this now that he resigned)

NY data centers would be banned for year under Hochul order

Hochul order puts large data centers on hold in NY | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Tuesday to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers that use 50 or more megawatts of power, a move she said is due to concerns over the rapid growth and impact of the facilities that power artificial intelligence. 

Calling it the nation's first ban on hyperscale centers, aides to Hochul said she wanted to pause the approval of permits for the facilities to allow the state to establish a framework to protect the environment, electrical grid and utility ratepayers. Operation of data centers requires massive amount of energy in addition to water to cool servers.

The delay could affect any proposed data center that does not already have a permit, including multiple proposals in Western New York. The executive order is similar to a bill, the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which passed both houses of the State Legislature on June 4. That proposal, if signed into law by Hochul, would also impose a one-year moratorium on the development of any new data centers in New York. 

New life coming for former St. Paul's school in Kenmore

A former Catholic elementary school in Kenmore that was closed in 2010 is now being transformed into an affordable senior housing community that will bring 37 new accessible units to the village.

Dr. Greg Daniel’s Kanaka Partners, together with Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, is spending $13.8 million to convert the former St. Paul’s School at 45 Victoria Blvd. into the Victoria Place Apartments.

The partners announced the start of construction on Monday. The project is designed to preserve a landmark in the community while also providing much-needed housing for seniors that will allow them to live independently while remaining in their neighborhood.

“This project has required years of persistence, cooperation and careful planning, and we are extremely pleased to begin construction,” Daniel said. “Victoria Place will provide seniors with high-quality, affordable homes in a secure and thoughtfully designed community while preserving a building that has long been part of Kenmore’s history.”

Costco provides update on opening of new store in Amherst

7 News has learned that Costco, which was previously scheduled to open in Amherst this spring, will open this fall.

When reached for comment on an updated timeline for the opening, a Costco spokesperson confirmed to 7 News that the store is expected to open in late October.

Chautauqua County seeks public input on proposed trail connecting Lake Erie to Chautauqua Lake | wgrz.com

A proposed 20-mile multi-use trail connecting two Chautauqua County's destinations is moving forward, and county officials are asking for the public's input.

The county is hosting a public information meeting on Tuesday, July 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Eason Hall in Westfield to gather input on connecting Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie to Chautauqua Institution on Chautauqua Lake.

During the meeting, residents will be able to review the recommended trail alignment and project maps, learn about the planning process, ask questions and provide feedback that could help shape the next phase of the project.

The proposed train would link communities, parks, downtown districts, historic destinations and existing trail systems throughout the county. The project, first outlined in a 2013 feasibility study, is designed to expand recreational opportunities, promote active transportation, strengthen tourism and improve regional connectivity. 

Restoration of Michigan Street Baptist Church nears completion - Buffalo Business First

• A $2.1 million restoration project of the Michigan St. Baptist Church in Buffalo has been completed.
• The church served as a refuge for those escaping enslavement and a civil rights meeting place.
• A new accessible building is under construction next door to house bathrooms and offices.

Online Survey: Reimagine The East Side - Buffalo Rising

East Side Stewards are seeking input from people who can help to shape the future of neighborhood investment, green space stewardship, and the use of vacant land across Buffalo’s East Side.

A new community survey has been launched, where community members can share their input and ideas, in order to come up with a plan to invest (time, funds, ideas, etc.) into an area of the city that remains relatively stagnant when it comes to progress.

“Please take a few minutes to complete our online community survey and share your ideas. Every response helps build a stronger, greener, more connected East Side.” – East Side Stewards

New Jewish museum to highlight Buffalo history, culture

The story of Jewish life in Buffalo – from the city’s first congregation in 1847 to the neighborhoods, artists and immigrants who helped shape Western New York – will get a new public home this fall with the opening of the Jewish Museum of Buffalo.

The museum, inside Temple Beth Zion at 805 Delaware Ave., builds on the former Cofeld Judaic Museum’s collection of about 7,000 artifacts and will include exhibits, workshops and a free genealogy research center open to people of all backgrounds.

Temple Beth Zion had been operating the Cofeld museum, but now, a recently formed nonprofit called Friends of 805 Delaware Avenue is taking the lead in developing the new museum by building upon the existing Cofeld collection and transforming it into an interactive, sensory and interpretive museum, organizers said.

Paul Bliss seeks approval for more apartments on site of Clarence project - Buffalo Business First

• Bliss Construction seeks to add 10 apartments to its already-approved Transit Road project.
• The revised plan eliminates small garages and adds three townhome buildings to the site.
• Developer Paul Bliss has two other significant projects underway in the region.

Buffalo cruise ship terminal construction starting in August

Construction on the cruise ship terminal on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor is slated to begin next month, as the state waterfront agency overseeing the project looks ahead to welcoming multiple ships and cruise lines to Western New York starting in 2028.

The first cruise ship to visit Buffalo in decades arrived in late May, when American Cruise Lines’ American Patriot docked at a temporary berth at the Erie Basin Marina near Canalside, unloading 130 passengers to tour around the city.

That was the first of what officials hope will be many visits by not only ACL, an American-flagged carrier, but also other cruise lines that ply the Great Lakes, including those originating or stopping previously in Canadian ports.

Lots of news out in OP.

Bills eye mixed-use development once stadium demo done

When plans for the new home of the Buffalo Bills were being hatched, the original idea called for the site of the old stadium to become a parking lot.

But as demolition on the old stadium continues and the opening of the new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium approaches, and as both Orchard Park and Hamburg grapple with how best to rezone the area to attract development, the Bills are coming around to the idea of putting something more significant in some of that space.

That includes the possibility of mixed-use development on the east side of Abbott Road, where the team’s field house, administrative building and team store will remain. It could be something that happens in partnership with a developer.

Bills stadium neighbor who's fighting developer sells home

Gary Trella is finalizing the sale of his 4317 Abbott Road property, next to where a project to build a Crosby’s gas station and convenience store is going forward at the corner of Big Tree and Abbott roads.

His property is under contract, but has not closed, so details of the sale are not being released at this time. Trella was asking $420,000, and likely got over that price for the nearly 1-acre property that includes a 1,150-square-foot home and can be used for game day and event parking, just a few blocks away from Highmark Stadium.

(F this guy. You own a house next to a massive regional amenity and waste everyone's time with lawsuits to fight putting things near it that help everyone else. Then you cash out 'because there is a lot of hype around the new stadium.')

Governor Hochul Celebrates Groundbreaking of $39 Million Housing Project in Niagara Falls | Governor Kathy Hochul | New York State

$39.5M mixed-use housing development coming to Niagara Falls | News 4 Buffalo

A mixed-use $39.5 million housing development that will have some apartments supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions, and survivors of domestic violence is coming to Niagara Falls.

Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Nest on Tuesday, which will have 73 apartments. The ground floor of the building will feature Community Services for Every1, a Buffalo nonprofit, and USA Niagara.

Preservation Buffalo Niagara pursues Eliza Quirk project

The region’s leading historic preservation advocacy organization is learning firsthand just how hard the preservation effort can be.

Preservation Buffalo Niagara has been trying for more than five years to restore a historic onetime "house of ill-repute" on Sycamore Street that dates back more than 150 years. It hopes to turn the Eliza Quirk Boarding House into its new headquarters.

The nonprofit originally planned to renovate the four-story brick building at 72 Sycamore and combine it with a new two-story, 3,500-square-foot addition on the vacant lot next door at 68 Sycamore.

That $3.2 million project would have created six affordable apartments and new offices for PBN and Heart of the City Neighborhoods, an affordable housing specialist that has worked with PBN.

Wrecking Buffalo: 328 N. Oak Street - Buffalo Rising

This lonely fellow may soon be heading to the landfill. But don’t worry, it will be recreated in some future, may never happen, redevelopment of the site. Legacy Development is seeking to demolish another historic 328 N. Oak Street siting structural deterioration of the building’s bricks.

(I appreciate preservation, but not for preservation's sake.)

How Lake Mariner avoided sales tax at its data center

TeraWulf said its purchases aren't subject to sales tax because of a law enacted during the administration of Republican Gov. George Pataki. That law, enacted during the fledgling days of the internet, was targeted to support email and web-hosting operations.

But TeraWulf said the law applied to its operations as well, allowing it to avoid paying sales tax on tens of millions of dollars of equipment it purchased for the Niagara County data center. 

And the savings add up quickly. For every $10 million in equipment purchased, the company normally would be expected to pay $800,000 in sales tax, split between the state and local municipalities.

TeraWulf hasn't said how much it spent to outfit the Somerset complex, but it is not unusual for data centers to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on computer equipment.

County officials had no idea this was happening. And that has them hopping mad.

The Maryland-based data center developer that built a Bitcoin-mining data center facility in Western New York is  planning to expand its business to include artificial intelligence computing at the Niagara County site.

“The sales tax revenues would have a significant impact on our budget,” Updegrove said. “I think it would be hard to overstate the importance of that revenue stream.”

The Lake Mariner project has major implications across the state, at a time when proposals to build data centers are spreading throughout the state. If the equipment purchases at those facilities were exempt from sales tax, it would deprive state and local governments of tens of millions in sales tax revenue in the future.

Hochul administration launches strategic plan project for next steps along waterfront | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Governor Kathy Hochul wants to figure out how best to continue development and growth along Buffalo’s waterfront over the next ten years. So, her administration is launching a strategic planning process that will lead to a plan for investment and further transformation.

The planning effort, according to the Hochul administration, will bring in local stakeholders and unite them under a shared strategy. But first, the process calls for bringing in a consulting firm to study and determine what is needed.

“What’s that next vision? What's that next development? What's that next public-private collaboration that we want to see move forward that helps sustain what has already been established?” said Mark Wendel, president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.

He noted that works currently in progress include residential buildings. He also pointed to the DL&W Terminal, which after years or work has opened.

“So now, what's that next vision as we get a little bit further away from Canalside, Erie Basin Marina, Cobblestone District? What's going to be that next kind of inspiration that's going to help support what we already have established?” he asked.

The first step in the project is to secure a consultant who would conduct a study for up to six months, then provide recommendations. The area to be covered within the strategic plan spans from the Cobblestone District to Erie Basin Marina, with KeyBank Center and Sahlen Field included within the project boundaries.

Grand Island sues over 200 acres deemed Seneca Nation land

The Town of Grand Island has sued the federal government for approving a request to make more than 200 acres of undeveloped land in the center of town sovereign Seneca Nation territory.

The U.S. District Court lawsuit calls the decision – which removes the property from the town's tax rolls – "an administrative end-run" around the Seneca Nation Settlement Act of 1990.

"The parcel was stripped from the town’s tax rolls, removed from its regulatory jurisdiction, and declared sovereign tribal territory, based on a transaction that does not qualify under the statute invoked to justify it," according to the lawsuit filed this week.

Restoration of Michigan Street Baptist Church nears completion - Buffalo Business First

• A $2.1 million restoration project of the Michigan St. Baptist Church in Buffalo has been completed.
• The church served as a refuge for those escaping enslavement and a civil rights meeting place.
• A new accessible building is under construction next door to house bathrooms and offices.

Buffalo Electric Glass seeks glassmaking studio in DL&W

The nonprofit glassmaking venture that hopes to anchor the second-level of the DL&W Terminal building is pushing forward with its plans, despite a squabble between the developer it was working with and the building’s owner.

Buffalo Electric Glass, led by Robert Cassetti as interim director, hopes to open the world’s largest electric-powered hot-glass facility inside the historic Inner Harbor building near Canalside, with a goal of exposing more people to the art of glassmaking through live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and artist-led classes in glassblowing.

The studio would be located in 15,000 square feet of space on the second floor, with capacity to seat more than 200. It would run on renewable all-electric glass melting and reheating technology and will use recycled materials for environmental sustainability.

Buffalo finalizes parking ramp sale, secures nearly $62 million to bolster city finances | wgrz.com

City of Buffalo and Buffalo Parking Authority Sell Off Four BCAR-Operated Parking Garages - Buffalo Rising

As a way to help close budget deficits and enhance the “customer experience,” the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps (BCAR) have closed on a deal to sell four parking garages to the Buffalo Parking Authority, which was established by state law in 2025 to oversee the City’s municipal parking system. The parking ramps in question are Turner, Fernbach, Adams, and Augspurger. 

The parking garages sold for a bond price of $58,150,000, plus a $4,250,228 premium, generating approximately $60.9 million in proceeds for the City of Buffalo. Originally, it had been anticipated that the sale would generate around $40 million from the sale. Not only were those numbers far exceeded, the transaction also closed before the the City’s 2025-26 fiscal year. Moving forward, the City will receive $30 million immediately, with the remaining proceeds distributed over Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28. 

Hochul awards $13.2M to expand childcare in Western NY

Four facilities in Western New York will reap close to $13.2 million to modernize and expand their childcare programs, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.

The recipients were among 37 projects across the state awarded more than $106 million through the state's Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program, known as 4CFP, to allow the facilities to increase the availability of licensed childcare, Hochul's office said.

The Western New York projects include:

• Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, $4,858,389
• The Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center, $4,734,578
• Jamestown Community College, $2,895,600
• Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York: $687,608

Together, the $13,176,175 to expand childcare in Western New York comes from money approved in last year's state budget and previous childcare programs. The state had received 197 applications – from not-for-profit organizations, public authorities, public and private colleges and universities – seeking $417 million in funding.

Wilson Foundation, Buffalo detail maintenance strategy for Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park - Buffalo Business First

• Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park is expected to require about $2 million annually to operate.
• Those funds will come from endowments, allocations from the city’s parks budget and private fundraising.
• The Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy will manage operations and programming at the park.

Voelker's apartment project wins approval despite opposition

After four years of planning, developers David Alexander and Connor Kenney won approval from city planners for their $90 million plan to replace the former Voelker’s Bowling Center in North Buffalo with a five-story apartment building.

The development pair now intend to purchase the 3.1-acre property at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Amherst Street from longtime owner Krista Voelker, before seeking the state funding they need to pay for the project.

They hope to finalize the low-income housing tax credits and construction financing by March 2027, allowing them to start work on the 230-unit building shortly afterward, with completion after two years. Only then would they look at a smaller second phase of development behind it, adding another 45 units in two other buildings.

New stadium gives Hamburg a chance to rezone ECC property

Hamburg Town Supervisor Elizabeth Farrell Lorentz has watched Buffalo Bills games on television for years and has noticed a common theme during the time when the game is not being played: shots of downtown Buffalo, Niagara Falls, chicken wings.

What is noticeably lacking? The areas right around Highmark Stadium.

“What I want is that they show Hamburg and the surrounding communities, and they see a well-thought out, vibrant, balanced, engaging area that you would anticipate around a modern-day NFL stadium,” she said.

She has heard all the comments about how there’s been no significant development around the stadium for the last 50 years. She said the treatment around stadium areas is different than it was in the 1970s, and this time around, the town is trying to take advantage of the opportunity in front of it and create a year-round, self-sufficient district that can attract residents and visitors.

Buffalo Bills cut ribbon at new Highmark Stadium with flair | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

After more than a decade of planning and three years of construction, the Buffalo Bills have cut the ribbon on their new home.

It was a who’s who of Buffalo Bills history at the ceremony for the new Highmark Stadium. Legendary players like Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, dignitaries from government and pro sports, and thousands of tradespeople who put near non-stop efforts into getting the facility built.

"Behind me is a wall with right now 5,369 names of you hardworking Americans who got this stadium built," team owner Terry Pegula said, pointing to an exterior glass wall featuring etched names of workers. "It's one thing to talk about it, it's one thing to get the money, it's another thing to get it done. So thank you."

M&T aims to stimulate downtown Buffalo activity with events

M&T's Meet Me Downtown initiative builds on the Mission Main Street program the bank launched in 2025. This year’s program features six events, taking place between July 11 and Sept. 26.

“Our goals are simple: We want to bring people downtown for extended periods beyond just the normal workday, to be able to create fun and inclusive events that have broad appeal, and to showcase downtown businesses and organizations,” said Tracy Woodrow, M&T’s chief administrative officer and Western New York region president

ECIDA gives tax breaks to Buffalo Hearing & Speech project

The Erie County Industrial Development Agency is backing two adaptive-reuse projects to convert a former Catholic school in Cheektowaga into a service facility for Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center and to transform a pair of vacant Niagara Street houses into 14 affordable apartments.

Family Promise aims to put family shelter on Franklin Street

More than a year after community opposition derailed plans for a new 40-bed family shelter in Hamlin Park, the nonprofit that led the effort is ready to try again in a different location that officials hope will ease opposition and make it easier to win approval.

Family Promise of Western New York wants to put up a three-story building at 364 Franklin St., on a parking lot just south of Edward Street that is owned by Trinity Episcopal Church.

Spotted Octopus Brewing Company to Relocate and Expand Taproom to 500 Seneca - Buffalo Rising

Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. has announced that is relocating, and expanding, into the former Dobutsu restaurant location at 500 Seneca. Until this point, Spotted Octopus has enjoyed a prosperous run at 41 Edward Street in Allentown. The combination of quaint pub-like, taproom atmosphere and beer garden grounds has worked very well for the business, but it is now time to move on to bigger and better things.

“We are thrilled to be relocating to a larger venue that will allow us to enhance our offerings and create a welcoming environment for everyone,” said Domenic Nicotera, Co-Owner of Spotted Octopus Brewing Company. “Our customers can look forward to enjoying their favorite brews along with an upgraded dining experience.”

The new 500 Seneca location will be able to accommodate up to 120 guests. The restaurant side of the business will be operated by Spotted Octopus’s partner, Flow Food. There will also be a spacious outdoor patio, with plenty of parking.

Going Vertical: Marine Drive - Buffalo Rising

The first steel is rising at the corner of Marine Drive and Commercial Street where Marine Drive apartment complex is being replaced with new housing. The project is being undertaken by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority through its development entity, Bridges Development, and its partners, The Habitat Company and Duverney & Brooks. This first of three phases will consist of 254 units of affordable housing in 12- and seven-story towers and is being constructed on a former surface parking lot.

HSBC lease helps Larkin at Exchange refill after pandemic

HSBC Bank USA’s decision to rent about half of the 10th floor of the flagship Larkinville office building, in addition to occupying the entire Larkin U Building, marks a significant gain for the landlord’s efforts to refill the building in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Larkin Development Group, owned by the Zemsky family, has been trying for several years to fill space in the 10-story Larkin at Exchange building that was given up by tenants who either moved out or shrunk their footprint when their leases came up for renewal.

P29, Good Carbon plan $350M apartment rehab in Buffalo

A Christian nonprofit that was formed last year is undertaking a $350 million venture in Western New York to renovate more than 500 apartments in 21 buildings in Buffalo and Evans.

P29 Foundation, based in Ashton, Md., is teaming up with Buffalo-based Good Carbon Co. on what will be the largest venture either group has undertaken.

“The project provides either a new deep level of affordability or the preservation of affordability of existing multifamily projects, which will include a blended income level of affordability,” Good Carbon CEO Adam Serbert said. “In addition to the renovation of the existing buildings, we will be doing deep energy retrofits and energy improvements on the properties that will both benefit the properties and the tenants specifically, and then the local community and the infrastructure surrounding.”

Graham Corp.'s new defense facility in Batavia hits full production - Buffalo Business First

• Graham Corp.'s new $17 million facility in Batavia is already at full production after its January start.
• The company is discussing an expansion of its 41-acre campus within the next year.
• Graham reported 17% revenue growth to $245.3 million in its fiscal 2026, which ended in March.

Splash pad squabble divides Grand Island Town Board

Grand Island has seen some big arguments over big questions, such as whether the town should let Amazon construct a massive warehouse on the island.

The latest project making waves is far smaller, but the debate is no less intense.

Town Supervisor Peter Marston Jr. and Town Board members have spent two months skirmishing over the fate of a splash pad.

Town Board members say town employees signed off on buying the equipment for the splash pad without Town Board approval. And, the board members said, Marston should have kept them updated on the status of the splash pad.

(note: I'm just including this here to remind people how ridiculous local government can be in getting shit done)

Marriott Tribute hotel in Niagara Falls will include Dan Aykroyd-endorsed steakhouse - Buffalo Business First

• Michael DiCienzo's Live-USA Inc. is developing a $20 million Marriott Tribute hotel in Niagara Falls.
• The project includes Blue Steakhouse by Dan Aykroyd and a 400-seat concert venue on the third floor.
• Live-USA is self-funding much of the project and received $1.5 million from Empire State Development and $2.7 million in tax incentives.

Tonawanda gives ultimatum to developer of stalled townhouses

After waiting nearly a decade for a developer to build more than 90 condominiums near Veterans Memorial Park, the City of Tonawanda is giving him a deadline.

And an ultimatum.

If David Stapleton of David Homes doesn't make meaningful progress within three months, the city will take back the 14-acre parcel it sold to him nine years ago, according to a resolution the Common Council passed earlier this month.

Developer reveals plan for former Bethlehem Steel site

For more than 50 years, local officials and developers have asked a variation of the same question: How can we take advantage of having more than 70,000 football fans in one place for eight or so weekends every year?

Andrew Tzanides hopes he has found the answer.

Tzanides, a commercial broker developing the plan for the revitalized Gateway Building on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel, believes that the site can be an entertainment hub, offering a theater, restaurants and a high-end meeting room, while also providing hotel suites to turn the redeveloped area into the “finest hotel” in the region.

“There’s 70,000 people that go to the (Buffalo Bills) game. Where do these people go after the game?" he asked. "I don’t know, maybe they’ll come here.”

Critics pan proposed bowling alley at Voelker's apartments

The $90 million project would consist of 275 residential units and 8,237 square feet of first-floor commercial space along Elmwood, where the developers have talked of putting an eight-lane bowling alley, bar and restaurant. Representatives said they were working to finalize that space.

But that's not what neighbors want for that first floor space. Speaking at a public hearing before the Buffalo Planning Board, several residents instead voiced a preference for at least three smaller storefront spaces and as many as eight or nine, to provide more opportunities for small retailers that would cater to the community.

"We like small storefronts. We like the ability to walk around," said Tom Sweeney of Chatham Avenue, just to the south of the project. "We really think the small storefronts that you see closer to Elmwood and Utica, those work."

They said they have yielded, after more than two years of talks, to the large-scale building and the new apartments, even though it meant concessions on the Green Code. But they worry that a single large commercial space means it would either be fully occupied or completely empty.

(Note: I was worried this was going to be some nimby stuff, but they've got a point)

Work to start this year on Rivertown project on Grand Island

After 20 months of battling with the state over a sanitary sewer extension, developer Frank Chinnici is finally ready to get started this year with construction of his Rivertown mixed-use project on Grand Island.

Chinnici's Legacy Development and his partner, Roger Trettel, have been working for more than four years on a project that would bring nearly 320 new housing units to a 26-acre site off Grand Island Boulevard, between Webb and Whitehaven roads.

Construction Watch: Heritage Point - Buffalo Rising

After much delay, work resumes at the Heritage Point project at Canalside

New work at Heritage Point at Canalside is underway with third floor framing being installed on the eastern building.  Preliminary work restarted several weeks ago after an April 1 deadline set by the state and Sabres and Bills owner Terry Pegula agreeing to financially contribute to the project to see it to completion. Work is expected to wrap up next Spring.

(Note: insert "its happening" gif here)

IKEA to open store in Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga in 2027

KEA is coming to the Walden Galleria.

The Swedish retailer, known for its stylish and affordable home furnishings, plans to open its second store in upstate New York in the Cheektowaga mall early next year, the Galleria said Monday.

The store will be located in the former Sears and Sears Auto space at the north end of the mall, giving the Galleria a new anchor tenant that has a broad reach, with shoppers often willing to travel long distances to shop there.

It also is a coup for the Galleria, which – like all shopping malls – has been struggling to attract shoppers in the face of intense competition from online retailers.

Construction Watch: 218 Myrtle Avenue - Buffalo Rising

A new three-story home is underway at 218 Myrtle Avenue near S. Cedar Street. William and Monica Schell of Silver Springs, NY are working with Dean Architects on the project. It is being constructed on a 32-ft wide lot close to both downtown and the Larkin District.

NY plans nearly 70 starter homes in Buffalo, Niagara Falls

Faced with the high cost of new home construction that prices out many families, New York State is doubling down on a new program to subsidize the cost of new manufactured housing that can be put up quickly.

Nearly 70 new starter homes will be constructed in Buffalo and Niagara Falls in the coming months using factory-built modular houses that are cheaper to put up and more affordable to buy, after state officials on Thursday allocated $20.5 million to the two Western New York cities.

The state approved $12 million for the City of Buffalo to build 40 homes and nearly $8.5 million to Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services for 28 new homes, in the third round of a state initiative to boost affordable home ownership.

(Note: ~$300k per unit, not terrible but I'd like to see how it comes together. I don't know how modular construction impacts this, but I'd have to think that duplexes would've been more cost effective? I'm not going to complain about it though, more housing is good, and if some SFH are built while they're building other forms of housing all for the better)

Amherst receives $6.25M in state funding for infrastructure, recreational projects | News | beenews.com

On Thursday, June 18, Senator Jeremy Zellner and Assemblymember Karen McMahon joined Amherst Town Supervisor Shawn Lavin and town board members John Davis and Michael Szukala at Amherst Town Hall to announce the allocation of $6.25 million in state funding for Amherst.

This will include $5 million for upgrades to the cryogenic plant and wastewater treatment facility, which processes almost 26 million gallons of water daily and serves multiple communities, including Williamsville, Clarence, and the University at Buffalo. The plant has been in operation since 1980 and runs continuously.

Additional funds include $700,000 for Youth and Recreation to build a Northwest Community Playground, $250,000 for lighting at Royal Park pickleball courts, and $300,000 for the North Forest Community Center.

DoFi Properties to start apartment conversion in South Buffalo - Buffalo Business First

• DoFi Properties begins a $1.5 million apartment conversion next week.
• The project adds six apartments to 2227 South Park Ave.
• The company previously bought 11 buildings from Trocaire College.

Critics say Aud Block project has too many low-income units

A group of downtown developers and business leaders are criticizing plans to build 251 apartments on the North Aud Block at Canalside because they believe it includes too much very-low-income and federally subsidized housing.

Five developers, a prominent trial attorney and a representative of the nearby Golisano Institute sent a letter to state, county and city officials Wednesday, saying the project developer has quietly changed the nature of the prominent project.

They're calling on the state waterfront agency that oversees Canalside to consider changes that would return the $190 million project to its original focus of being predominantly market-rate housing, in keeping with the vision for the waterfront district that was developed 16 years ago with significant public input.

Legacy apartment project in Cheektowaga denied over parking

A 160-unit housing project in Cheektowaga could be derailed over a lack of parking and zoning-related questions about which side of the complex is its front.

As a result, the proposed four-building complex near the Walden Galleria and Cheektowaga High School, is in jeopardy even though the town Planning Board, which backed the project in December, now is balking at it after new issues were raised over its design.

Developer Frank Chinnici's Legacy Development's $25 million to $30 million project calls for four identical four-story buildings with 40 apartments in each, laid out in a square, with 39 garages in two rows on either side.

About 60% of the apartments would be two-bedroom units, while 30% would be one-bedroom apartments and the rest would be three-bedroom units – similar in makeup to the Strathmore Apartments, a previous Legacy project at 4501 Chestnut Ridge Road. All will be market rate in rent.

The town code requires 328 parking spaces for a project of this scale, but Legacy has only 212 spaces planned on-site.

(Note: 328 parking spaces for what seems to be ~270 bedroom complex is super aggressive to me. You have to assume some % of these units will be family's so not every bedroom is a potential car owner. 212 might be 'low' but its not crazy... it'd be a lot easier if this location was more accessible public transit wise but that ship sailed so long ago it was steam powered)

VisoneCo seeks tax breaks for Bridge Street Landing in North Tonawanda - Buffalo Business First

VisoneCo, through its Bridge Street Landing LLC, has applied to the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for tax breaks for the $24.2 million project at 78-96 Bridge St.

The company plans to demolish a long-unused fire training facility and construct a four-story building with 114 market-rate apartments, nine waterfront short-term rental units and a small commercial space. It's seeking a package totaling $6.6 million.

Phase 2 of Ralph Wilson Park Construction will Include 130' Model of Lake Freighter Play Structure - Buffalo Rising

Phase Two of Ralph Wilson Park construction announced | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

As Phase 1 reaches completion, it signals that Phase 2 will soon be underway. Mayor Sean Ryan recently joined together with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy to announce the good news, which coincides with the signing of a contract with Gilbane Building Company to conduct the second phase of the park’s construction.

Phase 2 of construction includes:

• The creation of the Play Garden, anchored by a 130-foot-long model lake freighter play structure
• Significant landscaping
• A playground installation
• Pathway and roadway construction
• Shoreline improvements
• Completion of the remaining waterfront enhancements

Buffalo Next: Suburban development activity picks up

(Nice round up of work happening in the 'burbs - biggest news to me is more 7Brews... hopefully that means less traffic to the one in Amherst)

SUNY Erie gets much-needed upgrade in athletics facility

With all the investment that’s gone into collegiate sports facilities in recent years, SUNY Erie Community College was decades behind in the quality of its outdoor athletic fields.

It got to the point where many local high schools had better facilities than SUNY Erie has had for its college students, said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

But that’s no longer the case with the opening of a new $5.7 million state-of-the-art, multisport turf facility on SUNY Erie’s North Campus.

“This is as good or better than pretty much any high school in New York and comparable to most community colleges around,” Poloncarz said Monday at the ribbon cutting for the Amherst facility, which will host its first games in August.

(Note: Why do any CCs have sports programs? I'm not trying to be elitist but... shouldn't the focus of them be academics & job training? I realize you can argue that for any college, but when you have a massive private enterprise with a resident student body it makes (some) sense to push amenities like that.)

Voelker's apartment project close to getting city approval

Five years after the historic Voelker's Bowling Center closed, the first phase of a plan to redevelop the North Buffalo site into a 275-unit apartment complex – and bowling alley – could  get the green light from the city as early as next week.

SAA-EVI, a partnership of developers David Alexander and Ernst Valery, has proposed constructing a pair of large apartment buildings and renovating a third building at the northwestern corner of Elmwood Avenue and Amherst Street.

Approval of the $94 million Voelker's Lane Apartments project would culminate years of efforts by the developer and property owner Krista Voelker, who has struggled to find a new use for the land and the deteriorated buildings after she closed her family's bowling alley in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Waterkeeper unveils waterfront resources to help eco-tourism | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

Tourists and residents alike have a new resource when accessing Erie County’s waterways.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has announced 15 new locations for its Blueway network of connected water trails. In addition to the new sites, the announcement comes with signs at each spot with maps and information about the Blueway.

The signs are critical as more than just directional resources, NYS Parks Niagara Regional Director Mark Mistretta said.

“There's an educational component there, but also many times understated is the environmental connection to our great river," he said. "The ecology and the environment of this water body is so critical, and these signs really allow us to educate the public to educate our visitors.”

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper unveiled the signage Monday at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island, along with 14 other locations around Erie County.

Milk-Bone expansion, Broadway Market rehab advance

A$50 million transformation of the historic Broadway Market and a two-phased expansion of J.M. Smucker's Milk-Bone production plant are poised to move through city approvals as Buffalo's Zoning Board of Appeals considers variances that the projects need for completion.

State officials in March announced plans to kick off a renovation of the Broadway Market to turn it into a "vibrant year-round food and shopping hub," with restored architectural features and a reorganized layout.

Canisius University puts Lyons Hall up for sale - Buffalo Business First

• Canisius University is selling Lyons Hall, a 77,000-square-foot Main Street property.
• Water damage from the 2022 Christmas blizzard prompted extensive remediation work.
• The university settled a lawsuit against Travelers Insurance over repair costs.

CB-Emmanuel gets $6M investment to fund big projects

A downstate affordable housing developer that does most of its work in Buffalo and Brooklyn has received a new injection of capital that will help it pursue a major new project in Buffalo while also expanding the size of the projects it can undertake.

CB-Emmanuel Realty, whose CEO is based in Buffalo, received a $6 million preferred equity investment from TruFund Financial Services' Impact Developers Fund. That fund, which is managed by TruFund subsidiary Tru-Capital Investment Fund LLC, is designed to increase the supply of quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents in communities that have struggled to get the capital needed to do so.

"CB Emmanuel exemplifies the type of mission-driven developer we seek to support through the Impact Developers Fund, organizations with the vision, expertise and community-centered approach needed to create lasting impact," TruFund President and CEO James H. Bason said. "We are proud to partner with them as they scale their efforts to deliver transformative development projects that strengthen neighborhoods and improve lives.”

Niagara Falls to move ahead with Centennial Park project

iagara Falls is ready to move ahead with its first opportunity in decades to redevelop a significant amount of land near its downtown.

City officials are focusing on plans for a new sports and entertainment facility anchored by a minor-league hockey team, Mayor Robert Restaino said Thursday.

That's still likely several years away, including planning and construction. But those plans got a boost after the City Council Wednesday night approved an agreement with New York City billionaire Howard Milstein's Niagara Falls Redevelopment that will result in the city getting 10 acres of land it wanted for years for its $210 million Centennial Park project along John B. Daly Boulevard.

Buffalo Hearing & Speech to renovate St. Aloysius Gonzaga

A nonprofit agency that provides hearing, speech, autism and other services for children and families wants to renovate a vacant former Catholic elementary school and convent to expand its early intervention and special education services for young children.

The Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, based on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, is seeking to buy and rehab the two buildings of the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Roman Catholic Church campus in Cheektowaga, where it would centralize and expand its public school-funded program for children with developmental challenges, disabilities and special needs.

Specifically, it would consolidate its current Amherst and Cheektowaga school locations, which are two of the six schools that BHSC runs from Niagara to Chautauqua counties.

Ellicott plans 300-unit mixed-use housing development in OP

It's been more than a dozen years since Ellicott Development Co. bought more than 100 acres in the Orchard Park hamlet of Webster Corners.

 Since then, the only work on the former Saville Farms property was the construction of a healthcare center for Buffalo Medical Group at 3900 N. Buffalo St., just south of Holland Lane.

But now, Ellicott is proposing a two-phase redevelopment of 106 acres that would see the creation of 57 single-family patio homes, 112 townhomes, 168 apartments and three commercial buildings, while leaving nearly half the acreage as wetlands.

The firm has been working behind the scenes on its plans and various regulatory reviews for at least seven years, particularly for wetlands evaluations.

(Note: I give this a .00001% chance of happening in OP)

Ellicott to start rehab of WCHOB towers to Elmwood Crossing

But if all goes well, work would start by early 2027, with completion in 18 to 24 months after that – more than 10 years after the hospital moved to a new facility on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and after Kaleida Health sold the 8-acre property...

So, instead of 135 apartments and condos with 94,000 square feet of commercial space, plans for the towers now call for about 200 market-rate apartments, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units across the three buildings, along with up to 60,000 square feet of commercial space.

Some of the apartments could be furnished corporate units or short-term rentals, although that is still to be decided. The first floor will have a gym or fitness center and some type of "grab-and-go" food service. And there will be a common lounge area, as well as an undefined rooftop feature for tenants.

Construction Watch: Amherst Commons Apartments - Buffalo Rising

Work is underway on an affordable apartment complex on the site of the former Amherst Bowling Center property at 47 E. Amherst Street.  Regan Development purchased the site in November for $2 million.

Legacy Development hopes to start Rivertown Center construction on Grand Island - Buffalo Business First

• Frank Chinnici's Legacy Development plans to build Rivertown Center with apartments and commercial space.
• The first phase costs an estimated $39 million and includes 178 apartments
• Sewer line extension approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation remains pending.

Holiday Valley investing $4.68M in snowmaking, lift upgrades - Buffalo Business First

Holiday Valley is coming off of another strong winter season, allowing the business to reinvest millions back into the resort.

Holiday Valley expects to spend $4.68 million on upgrades and purchases, according to its application with the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency. The business is seeking $374,599 in sales tax breaks.

Developers to turn St. John Evanglist Church into 24 units

The vacant former St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in South Buffalo may soon be home to 24 new apartments, with the altar and dramatic architectural features preserved, now that the developers are finally ready to proceed with their delayed adaptive-reuse project.

The husband-and-wife contractor team that bought the historic 22,953-square-foot sandstone church three years ago want to transform it into the newest residential building in the neighborhood, while retaining its unique characteristics. That will not only add more housing options, but also prevent further damage to the oft-vandalized structure, while revitalizing an anchor building along the Seneca Street corridor.

Developer plans apartments near Walden Galleria Mall in Cheektowaga - Buffalo Business First

• Legacy Development scaled back its proposed apartment project near the Walden Galleria from 340 units to 160.
• The Cheektowaga planning board rejected the site plan over parking and variance concerns.
• Legacy President Frank Chinnici expects construction costs between $25 million to $32 million.

NFR to donate land for Niagara Falls park, back data center

The fight between the City of Niagara Falls and New York City billionaire Howard Milstein may finally be over.

After several years of bitterness, the city and Milstein's company have agreed to settle their dispute, resulting in the city getting the land it wants for a new park and entertainment facility, while Milstein's company gets to advance its controversial plans for a new data center campus.

Under the agreement, the city and Niagara Falls Redevelopment will end their litigation, including the city's effort to take 10 acres from NFR by eminent domain.

Spectrum Health buys former West Seneca Rite Aid, plans move - Buffalo Business First

• Spectrum Health and Human Services purchased a former Rite Aid store in West Seneca for $3.35 million.
• The organization will relocate its Southtowns Counseling Center from a leased space to the new location.
• Dozens of Western New York Rite Aid locations have found new owners or tenants since the company's 2025 bankruptcy.

Construction Watch: Main Street Lofts - Buffalo Rising

Main Street Lofts, a $50.6 million affordable housing project in the Midtown area, south of Canisius College is heading towards completion.   The project includes 147 residential units in a five-story, 140 unit building along Main Street and one single level unit and seven two-story townhouses along Masten Avenue in the rear. 

Project Rainfall brings hydroponic farm to BUDC's Northland

indoor hydroponics farm that's been germinating for more than eight years is finally coming closer to fruition on the East Side, with a likely location in a newly renovated building as part of the Northland Corridor.

The Project Rainfall venture is seeking to lease a former manufacturing building at 541 E. Delavan Ave. for a business focused on indoor hydroponics farming to grow "micro-greens and baby greens," according to the Buffalo Urban Development Corp., which owns the property.

State grant program gives Niagara Falls small business owners a means to improve properties | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

An effort supporting revitalization of distressed commercial areas of Niagara Falls is gaining momentum. It’s an initiative recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul to help fix up their properties and spark revitalization in key city neighborhoods.

Small business owners, entrepreneurs and realtors were invited to an informational session Friday, May 22 to learn more about the Niagara Falls Small Business Property Improvement Grant Program.

“The program is a reimbursable matching grant up to $100,000 for physical improvements to your property. It can also include fixtures and equipment,” said Anthony Vilardo, president of USA Niagara Development Corporation. “We want to see some outdoor facade improvements or landscaping improvements to, you know, help beautify the neighborhoods that these businesses would end up locating in, or already locating in and making improvements to existing businesses.”

State park reopens at Outer Harbor with governor visit

At dawn on Friday, the only state park within the City of Buffalo reopened after a $50 million transformation.

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Buffalo's Outer Harbor on Thursday to announce the opening of the renovated Buffalo Harbor State Park. 

The project includes a new spray park, a sculpture of a bison, a fountain and an enhanced accessible playground. The park also will have a café and retail space, public restrooms and park office.

Buffalo resident says she wasn't notified about new playground next to her home

LaVita Spentz has lived next door to two empty lots near Moselle Park in Buffalo for 30 years. Last week, construction crews showed up, and she didn't know why.

"I kept seeing people walk past my [door] camera," Spentz said.

To her surprise, she learned construction work was underway on a new playground. It's a city project that the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation suggested to activate vacant lots in the city. More than 84% of those lots are on the East Side, according to the city's website.

"The city could have rung the doorbell, 

(Note: I just wanted to include this because I thought it was an insane thing to write up)

Ciminelli Real Estate buys Muir Woods land in Amherst - Buffalo Business First

In 2022, Ciminelli Real Estate sold 42 acres of the larger Muir Woods development site to Aspen Heights.

The Texas-based student housing developer built a student apartment community on a portion of that parcel, but plans for a second phase on the remaining 18 acres were scrapped, and Aspen Heights listed that property for sale in 2025.

Now Ciminelli owns it again, and plans to build 160 townhomes on the property. The Townhomes at Muir Woods project would consist of 30 four- and six-unit buildings.

Judge rules investment group is owner of AM&A's building

Judge rules on complicated AM&A's ownership case in Buffalo - Buffalo Business First

After six years of legal wrangling involving at least seven different parties, the AM&A's department store in downtown Buffalo finally has a clear owner – sort of.

But it is not clear what it means for the future of the hulking former retail complex on Main Street that has been the subject of intense hand-wringing for years by the city's business and political leaders.

(The ruling) effectively turns over control of both Landco and the building to the new investors, Andy Chau and his ex-girlfriend Elena Yiyao Fu, who had planned to turn the 12-story complex into apartments and commercial space.

More significantly, the ruling could end the long fight that has left the vacant and deteriorating building in a state of legal and physical limbo for more than six years, on top of more than 20 years of abandonment and neglect since it was last occupied.

Behind-The-Scenes Look at Rewilding Process @ Tifft Nature Preserve - Buffalo Rising

Buffalo is lucky to have two waterfront nature preserves within its city limits – Times Beach and Tifft. The backstory of how these once terribly polluted sites have been restored – thanks to the teamwork of man and Mother Nature – is as astounding as it is important to the ongoing recovery of our natural resources.

On Saturday, June 6 (10am-12pm), Tifft Nature Preserve – operated by the Buffalo Museum of Science (BMS) – will be offering an up close and personal look at just how much ecological habitats are flourishing these days, as it offers nature lovers a behind-the-scenes tour.

Wilson Foundation generosity comes at cost for Buffalo, WNY

It has taken less than 10 years for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to become a powerhouse charitable organization in Western New York, funding causes from recreation and fitness to early childhood education and economic development.

It has committed $250 million to the Wilson Park project, $100 million to arts and cultural nonprofits, and tens of millions of dollars to other projects and ventures in Western New York, where it hopes to transform life in a community in which Ralph Wilson earned part of his fortune as longtime owner of the Buffalo Bills.

But behind the scenes, the foundation and its staff have also earned a less charitable reputation in their dealings with local beneficiaries and others, including reports of mistreatment of female nonprofit leaders.

City restarts abandonment effort against Buffalo Grand Hotel

City officials have restarted their legal effort to have the Buffalo Grand Hotel declared as abandoned property that the city could take over.

The move comes after a last-ditch effort by owner Harry Stinson to bring in a new partner and new financing fell through at the end of last week, just as it was about to be formally announced

Ryan administration vows to preserve Cobblestone District buildings - Buffalo Business First

• Two historic Buffalo buildings at 110 and 118 South Park Ave. remain at the center of a prolonged legal dispute.
• Property owner Darryl Carr wants to demolish the structures to build a 55-story skyscraper called Unity Tower.
• The City of Buffalo is exploring eminent domain proceedings to preserve the buildings in the Cobblestone District.

Future of Buffalo Riverline Trail Project still uncertain despite funding | wgrz.com

 A long-planned project to transform an old rail corridor into public green space could be on track toward its next phase, with funding secured for initial work.

The proposed greenway along Buffalo’s waterfront now has about $2 million in federal and state funding in place.

“Unfortunately, $2 million doesn't go a long way these days, and we just want to make sure that we find the right place to spend that money to start the River Line construction. So once that decision is made, which I hope is soon, we will start what's called detailed design that we'll bring a consultant on, and they'll do the design of the section that we're going to do,” said Jeffrey Lebsack, executive director of Friends of The Riverline.

But thennnn: Free Riverline tours offer a preview | Wny Life | buffalospree.com

“While we wait for work to start, I invite everyone to join me for a tour to see this inspiring place and experience its incredible potential,” says Friends of the Riverline Executive Director Jeffrey Lebsack. Free guided tours run May through October; register at theriverline.org.

5/14 Memorial Foundation hires construction manager | News 4 Buffalo

Tuesday marked another milestone for the construction of the 5/14 Memorial at Best Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Members of the memorial foundation announced that they have hired a construction manager to oversee the process. Buffalo Construction Consultants will handle quality control, safety and bidding out to subcontractors for the construction of the site.

VisoneCo seeks NCIDA help for North Tonawanda project

After eight years of fruitless efforts by the City of North Tonawanda to turn its former fire-training property on Tonawanda Island into market-rate housing, a Clarence developer is seeking more than $6 million in tax breaks for its plan to fill the waterfront site with 123 apartments, commercial space and a new riverwalk.

Home Leasing moves forward with apartment project at West Seneca mansion - Buffalo Business First

• Home Leasing first proposed a residential project at 2544 Clinton St. in West Seneca in 2024.
• The developer reduced its apartment proposal from 88 units to 75 units.
• The town has approved rezoning and a special use permit for the residential project.

Mt. Olive in Lackawanna struggles with financing for project

Along-planned church-sponsored housing redevelopment project in Lackawanna has struggled to get off the ground because of a lack of financing, despite winning municipal approval twice in five years for its plan to create 50 affordable units.

The project's funding remains far short of the estimated $42 million price tag, and its city approval is about to expire, which would force Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church to start over with municipal reviews.

Regan Development building housing at former Amherst Bowling Center site - Buffalo Business First

• Regan Development Corp. is building 134-unit Amherst Commons Apartments on demolished bowling alley site.
• A Regan Development affiliate purchased the property for $2 million in November.
• The affordable housing project will be funded in part by New York State Homes and Community Renewal tax credits and brownfield cleanup tax credits.

Construction Watch: Adams Street Infill - Buffalo Rising

Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation (BENLIC) is putting the finishing touches on four single-story and eight two-story homes on the 500 block of Adams Street.  Buccilli Custom Homes built the twelve homes on 23 vacant parcels.

The single-story plan has three bedrooms, 1.5 baths and 1,320 sq.ft. of living space.  The plan also features a full front porch and unfinished basement.

Cherry Creek Dairy project seeks $7M in IDA bonds

The partners behind a proposed new large-scale dairy farm in Chautauqua County are asking the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency to issue $7 million in taxable and tax-exempt bonds to help finance the $25.18 million venture.

Eden farmer Brendan O'Gorman, a partner in Eden Valley Farms, is teaming up with veteran Cherry Creek dairy farmer Nelson Nobles to create Cherry Creek Dairy, with 7,000 dairy cattle, a rotary milking parlor with 120 stalls and the capacity to produce over 500,000 pounds of milk every day. It would be located on 45 acres of a 389-acre property owned by Nobles Farms at 7782 Milestrip Road in Cherry Creek.

The joint venture would include six 105,000-square-foot free-stall barns with 1,050 stalls in each to house the cows, as well as milk cooling and storage facilities in the milking parlor, and feed-storage facilities to hold more than 100,000 tons of feed annually that would be harvested from 8,000 acres of local crop land. And it would include a manure separation and recycling facility, to turn the cows' waste into renewable natural gas for a power-generation system.

Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute eyes late summer opening date - Buffalo Business First

• The Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute at 462 Niagara St. is expected to be completed by late summer.
• New York state gave $7 million in 2025 to help the $30 million project finish construction.
• The building will house a theater, museum, art gallery, learning labs and commercial kitchen.

Richardson Olmsted Campus: Building #13 is Re-Imagined by UB Students - Buffalo Rising

Century-old building on Richardson Olmsted Campus is re-imagined as residential and cultural facility by graduate students in UB School of Architecture and Planning 

21 transformational projects approved in WNY | wgrz.com

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that 21 projects across Western New York have been awarded funding.

Governor Hochul says the projects, which are part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward, were selected because they have the 'greatest potential' to jumpstart revitalization and create more opportunities for long-term development. 

Embassy Suites Buffalo completes multi-million renovation - Buffalo Business First

• The Embassy Suites Buffalo completed a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
• This follows the 2025 conversion of two floors to 59 luxury short-term stay apartments.
• Hotel rooms now feature Hilton's Connected Room mobile check-in amenity.

Evergreen and CAS to open East Side health center in summer

A new comprehensive healthcare center will be opening this summer at the intersection of Bailey and Kensington avenues, along with a full-size mural on the side of the building that was commissioned as part of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum's Public Art Initiative.

Evergreen Health and its affiliate, Community Access Services, are constructing the 36,000-square-foot facility at 3070 Bailey Ave. to bring medical and community services to an underserved neighborhood while addressing the shortage of doctors, dentists, pharmacies and clinics in the area. The goal, officials say, is to eradicate inequities in healthcare by meeting people where they are and treating chronic conditions.

Big Reveal: 122 Genesee Street - Buffalo Rising

Chris Jacobs plans apartment conversion at former F. Scherer & Sons store - Buffalo Business First

Chris Jacobs’ plans for redeveloping the shuttered and historic Seeger-Scherer Furniture Store at 122-126 Genesee Street will be reviewed by the Preservation Board on Thursday.  The furniture store closed in 2024 and the property was purchased by Jacobs shortly after. The project will include a mix of residential and commercial space though a unit count was not listed in the application. Abstract Architecture is working on the reuse plan.

He envisions a conversion that would turn the 129-year-old furniture store into a mixed-use building with 22 market-rate apartments and two small first-floor commercial spaces.

Aspire of WNY to buy Cheektowaga church site for $815,000

A Western New York nonprofit that supports children and adults with developmental disabilities is planning to buy a church property in Cheektowaga so it can expand its services.

Aspire of Western New York has an agreement in place to purchase the Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church property at 425 Maryvale Drive for $815,000, according to documents filed in mid-April in State Supreme Court in Erie County. The 4.79-acre property includes 16,859 square feet of building space, records show.

Because the seller, Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church, is a religious corporation, the sale needs approval from the State Attorney General's Office or the State Supreme Court. The church filed a petition in court April 14 seeking an order allowing the sale to Aspire. The sale agreement was reached Jan. 22.

Daemen University plans $5M construction project in Amherst - Buffalo Business First

A local college will invest $5 million renovating a new home for its physician assistant program. Daemen University is in the planning stages of renovating Daemen Hall, one of its original structures built in 1949.

“This building will mostly be gutted and the rest of it substantially changed, because we’ll end up with a very modern state-of-the-art healthcare education facility,” said Daemen President Gary Olson. “Right now, the PA department is in two different buildings. After this project, they’ll be under one roof and will have much more modern classroom space and other kinds of space.”

Kloc’s Grove short-term rental proposal not approved by town board | News 4 Buffalo

A major project at Kloc’s Grove in West Seneca has been discussed for months now, and on Monday night the town board voted not to approve the proposal — even while debating some modifications.

A property known for hosting weddings and other events, Kloc’s Grove was looking to add 40 short-term rental units. The units would have been able to accommodate dozens of guests, including those in attendance for weddings as well as outside visitors.

But not all residents are on board — and they’ve been making that known for a while. Their concerns were all about privacy, noise levels, and added strains on the town’s sewage and electrical systems. Others disagreed — and both sides spoke out at the board meeting.

“We weren’t against them improving their wedding venue,” one speaker said. “We haven’t been from Day One. We’re still saying the same thing. They say, ‘This is about our wedding guests. This is about the town.’ This is about one thing — this is about them making money, and doing what they want to do. What wedding venues have 40-plus rooms on site? I don’t really know of any.”

Harry Stinson's new revival plan for Buffalo Grand hotel | WBEN

Fate of Buffalo Grand up for review as city deadline hits

Canadian developer Harry Stinson says he has landed a new financial partner and with the cash flow infusion, he hopes to re-open the long shuttered Buffalo Grand hotel later this year.

Stinson confirmed his new partner is former Buffalo resident Perry Davis, who now resides in Tampa and has extensive interests in the real estate, hospitality and entertainment fields.

Stinson and Davis will be in Buffalo Friday afternoon (May 1) to further discuss their plans for the 486-room downtown hotel.

The new deal comes on the 90th day of a 90 day deadline Mayor Sean Ryan gave to Stinson to provide a development plan, including the financial outlay, for the Buffalo Grand, or the city was going to court to gain control of the property, issue an RFP and find a new hotel developer for the property.

Reviving the hotel and its 486-rooms is a top economic priority for Visit Buffalo and the Ryan administration as it could bolster's the city's chances of landing more conventions and special events.

East Aurora's Twin Elms to become boutique glamping resort - Buffalo Business First

Carner Development Group has begun redeveloping East Aurora’s Twin Elms Estate into a glamping retreat with a campground lodge and upscale treehouses.

The project at the 81-acre property at 1196 Main St. will include the repurposing of an existing 1876 farmhouse into a glamping retreat main lodge, as well as the addition of four treehouses and a half-dozen one-bedroom cottages, pending final approvals.

City of Buffalo showcases new affordable homes | News 4 Buffalo

Leaders with the city of Buffalo and Erie County on Monday unveiled the first of many affordable homes that will be up for sale.

On Monday, officials showed off two homes on Miami Street. The homes were built using money from the American Rescue Plan, and leaders say the goal is to increase owner-occupied homes in the city of Buffalo.

The homes will be sold through a lottery to people who qualify. To qualify, a household cannot make more than roughly $81,000; a three-bedroom home will be sold for $205,000, and a two-bedroom home will cost $175,000.

A total of 47 affordable homes in the city will be for sale by the end of the year. Open houses begin on May 2.

Battery storage is next frontier for energy developers, but WNY towns express caution - Buffalo Business First

Battery energy storage systems are the next frontier in the state's push toward green energy — but many Western New York communities have recently started putting these types of projects under increased scrutiny.

Battery storage is seen as a potential solution as the state seeks to phase out "peaker plants," or fossil-fuel burning power plants that are only active during times of high demand. Renewable energy sources are dependent on sun and wind to generate power; they can't be ramped up when demand is higher.

There's been a move to build more battery storage over the last few years, but it's really ramped up since last summer. The One Big Beautiful Bill passed by the federal government in 2025 guts many federal financial incentives for solar and wind projects, but battery storage remained largely untouched. 

This means green energy developers, particularly those working on solar projects, are increasingly adding on battery aspects to make the projects pencil out...

Meanwhile, a series of high-profile fires involving large battery storage facilities have brought new scrutiny to these projects. In 2025, a fire at a large battery storage facility in California required the temporary evacuation of 1,200 residents.

In 2024, another facility, also in California, had a fire and continued to experience flare-ups for a week after the initial incident...

Numerous local communities over the last few months have adopted or are considering code updates to regulate battery storage systems.

An update being considered by Amherst is typical of those that have been introduced in other local communities. It requires storage system operators to get a permit from the town, limits large-scale projects to General Industrial or Research and Development zones and requires developers to submit a decommissioning plan for when the system has finished its use.

Eldred has helped several municipalities draft laws for battery energy storage. He said these can help communities ensure that the facility is as safe as possible and that first responders have an emergency plan in case of a fire.