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Chautauqua County is moving forward on developing some vacant property in Ripley that could house a warehouse distribution center in the future.
During the December Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency meeting, board members agreed to accept a $5.25 million grant from the state for shovel-ready sites.
Mark Geise, county IDA director and chief executive officer, said the money must be used for infrastructure.
"It's going to pay for things like erosion control, stormwater management, $2.3 million on the road, extending water, extending sewer, extending electric, natural gas main, telephone and communications," he said.
Geise also gave an update on the project to the county Legislature's Planning and Economic Development Committee.
The property sits off of Shortman Road between Route 20 and Interstate 90. Near the property is Regal Trucking, and across the street is Love's Travel Stop.
In total, there's about 146 acres of land owned by four different property owners.
The zoning was amended in 2022 to allow for warehousing, distribution, logistics and related uses.
Geise said Chautauqua County has secured about 80% of the $16 million needed for both Phase I and II.
According to Geise, the idea has been discussed since Bill Daly was the county IDA director. Geise said the county went back to it about three and a half years ago.
A study was done a few years ago that said Chautauqua County was lacking in shovel-ready sites.
"When you say shovel-ready, you want to have everything done, as far along as possible so that somebody comes in and says 'I want to buy this.' They're as close to being ready to put a shovel in the ground, that's what that means," Geise said.
Things that will be completed include necessary environmental studies, and sewer and water lines ready to be tapped.
Phase I involves around 62 acres of land. The land purchases are expected to close by the end of 2023. Geise said he would like to close on the 84 acres for Phase II sometime in 2024.
Phase I costs total $7,097,781. The breakdown is as follows:
Land acquisition - $2,008,920.
Predevelopment and environmental due diligence - $125,000
Infrastructure (access road, water, sewer, telecommunications, gas) - $4,863,861
Legal costs - $100,000.
Phase II costs total $8,934,219 The breakdown is as follows:
Land acquisition - $2,208,180
Closing costs - $58,320
Infrastructure - $1,710,369
Electrical infrastructure upgrades - $4,623,580
Fee for FAST NY Grant - $52,500
National Grid Electrical Interconnect Study - $50,000
Other (signage, landscaping) - $231,270.
Geise said they are targeting warehouse distribution and logistics, which there apparently is a high demand for in Western New York.
"We don't have the right sites right now, but we've had a ton of requests for projects," he said.
Geise said the size of the Ripley project will be attractive to developers.
"They need big sites. They don't need three acres. They need 60 acres or 100 acres, or whatever," he said.
Once the property is ready, Geise said they will collaborate with Invest Buffalo-Niagara. Howard Hannah Realty is also expected to help market the site.
Geise added that it could have other uses as well. “Warehousing, distribution, logistics, and light manufacturing are all possible uses of the site,” he said.
Geise thanked his staff, the county Legislature and the town of Ripley for all the work in making the project move forward.