Developers announced for first 4 properties in Niagara Falls revitalization project

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The developers for the first four properties in the Niagara Falls revitalization project were announced Wednesday by Mayor Robert Restaino and Empire State Development (ESD).

The project aims to rehabilitate a total of 38 properties in the city’s Bridge District, which is located in the North Main Street area, for residential, retail, entertainment, office and educational uses. The properties were bought by the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency (URA) earlier this year.

Develop Niagara was selected for 717 Division Ave., a vacant lot, and 723 Division Ave., a historic house that was built in 1900. A former church, located at 1509 Main St. and built in 1932, will be rehabilitated by NFNA Holdings.

The former Jenss Department Store at 1708 Main St. will be redeveloped by 1708 Main St., LLC. It was founded and opened in the early 1900s by two German immigrants. The store eventually closed in 1995 following nearby competition, according to the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area website.

RJ Niagara was selected for a bar formerly known as NFusion Night Club located at 2109 Main St. It was built in 1960.

“These properties have been vacant and damaged for years under single-party ownership,” Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said in a news release. “By acquiring them and then transferring ownership on a more community-oriented scale, we are advancing the community’s vision for revitalization. I thank Governor Hochul and our partners for their assistance as we move forward with repurposing these buildings and filling vacant lots to create more business and job opportunities.”

This project is said to build upon the state’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative efforts in the area, which was announced in August 2019. ESD also awarded the URA $2.5 million to reimburse them for property acquisition, building stabilization and developer procurement for the 38 properties.

All of the revitalization projects are required to enter a development enforcement mortgage, which will be monitored until they’re done, city officials said.

According to city officials, many of the properties have been cleaned out and secured. The rest of the buildings will be stabilized and have roof and masonry repairs for sealing ahead of the winter months.

See a list of all 38 properties here.