2 revitalization projects in North Tonawanda now complete

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday the completion of two revitalization projects that have transformed the Riviera Theatre and the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda.

The projects are part of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) for the city that Hochul announced in December 2022.

The 99-year-old Riviera Theatre on Webster Street received $1.2 million through the DRI and $500,000 from the State Legislature.

Changes include the renovation and 6,000-square-foot expansion of the theater into a neighboring commercial building. The theater now has a new concession area, box office, artist merchandise area and ADA-compliant restrooms.

At the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, a total of $656,000 was used to restore the museum’s Music Hall, which collapsed in 1995. The hall connects to the rest of the museum and now has a temperature and humidity-controlled space for its organ collection and Wurlitzer Perforation Department exhibit.

“The expansion of the Riviera Theatre and restoration of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Music Hall are investments in our history, our economy, and our community,” North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec said in a news release. “By working with the State of New York and our many partners, we are strengthening downtown, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that North Tonawanda remains a destination for residents and visitors from around the world.”

North Tonawanda was the Western New York DRI winner for round five. Other local winners include Buffalo, Cattaraugus, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Olean and Tonawanda.

Twelve projects across North Tonawanda, which can be found here, were also awarded funding from the DRI.