Groups Make Pitch For Revitalization Funds
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DUNKIRK -- Redevelop the Masonic Lodge site? Check.
Revitalize other areas of Central Avenue? Check.
Revamp parts of the downtown waterfront area? Check.
Build a water slide park or a bar filled with "sports simulators"? Check.
All that and more was proposed for Dunkirk's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from the state on Tuesday during a meeting of the local DRI steering committee at the Clarion Hotel.
Presentations of a total of 22 proposed projects, held to three minutes each, constituted most of the meeting.
There were supposed to be 24 presentations, but just hours before the meeting, developer Savarino Companies in Buffalo announced it was going out of business. Their two presentations never happened.
There was plenty of interesting information without them.
The presentations went in order of how much DRI money is being sought. The requests for DRI money total $27,396,000, with the projects costing $138,279,000 overall.
A plan to redevelop the site of the Masonic Lodge, which burned in a spectacular 2005 fire, went first, seeking $4.5 million of the funding.
Nostra Development wants to erect a 7,500-square-foot building there, with ground floor commercial space and 45 to 50 "market rate apartments" upstairs. The overall project cost is envisioned as $11.75 million.
Next, Peter and Tonya Smith offered a presentation about their plans to upgrade Dunkirk Marina, where they recently took over the lease. They seek 100% DRI funding for their proposal, costing $2,478,000. New boat slips, a new dock with improved fuel facilities, and a seafood restaurant are among the planned additions.
"It'll be a safe place for everyone, visitors and locals," Peter Smith said.
Peter Smith's future role with the marina may be unclear after a pair of arrests in July. City officials have not said publicly if they will support him as its manager moving forward.
The Clarion Hotel and Jamestown Community College came next, each seeking $2.2 million in DRI funds. The Clarion wants it for renovations. JCC would use the cash for the workforce development center it intends to place on Central Avenue, in Chautauqua County-owned property that the county is mostly vacating.
Chadwick Bay Property Management came forth with a proposal to redevelop the old Ehler's building on the corner of Central Avenue and Fourth Street.
The developer seeks $2.1 million of the DRI pot for massive renovations of the old, long-empty building. It proposes a first-floor restaurant along with residential, retail and event space. The overall project cost would be $2,672,000.
Many of Tuesday's proposals have already been revealed. For example, the Clarion's proposed water park was listed. They seek $2 million for a project expected to cost $25 million.
Here's some of the other proposals:
¯ Access to the Arts, Inc., wants DRI to fund 100% of a $2.012 million project to renovate the former Adams Art Gallery at Central and Sixth. The money would create an events and community center.
¯ Kids at Promise, Inc. seeks to renovate the old Regent movie theater on Third Street into a youth center. It seeks $1,850,000 in DRI money for a project expected to cost $2,500,000.
¯ East Coast Investments Unlimited proposes to create "The Clubhouse," a bar featuring high-tech "simulated sports" machines, at 310 Central Ave. They seek $400,000 for a $550,000 project.
The DRI steering committee will now evaulate the proposals and finalize a draft for an investment plan. In October, it is expected to finalize project profiles and vote on which to recommend. State planners in Albany will make the final decision on who gets the funding.
A public feedback workshop is set for Sept. 14 and there will also be a "pop-up" at the Dunkirk school district's Back to School Bash.
A full list of the proposed DRI projects is available at dunkirkdri.com