A former Dunkirk bank, which was most recently a First Niagara branch, may become a mixed-use apartment complex. P-J photo by M.J. Stafford

A former bank in the city of Dunkirk may be turned into apartments, possibly for short-term rentals, and also have space for commercial development.

On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that over $15 million has been awarded to support 19 projects across New York state through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Among the announced projects was Buffalo Business Park, Inc. receiving a $150,000 grant. “Buffalo Business Park, Inc. will renovate a former downtown bank building in Dunkirk, near SUNY Fredonia, Lake Erie, and the improved Dunkirk Pier, into a mixed-use development containing both residential and commercial space. The City of Dunkirk is a Round VI DRI winner and this renovation will support these efforts by putting new housing units and commercial activity into the downtown,” the announcement stated.

Pam Lent, Director of Communications in Western New York for Empire State Development was reached for a follow up. “This project is the old Lake Shore National Bank Building (401-403 Central Ave.) It is a former bank branch location that has been shuttered for many years and has fallen into disrepair. With Peak Development Partners as the general contractor, four apartments/Airbnb units will be created along with 1,700 square foot of commercial space for a tenant,” she stated in an email.

The bank has been a Marine Midland Bank, which became HSBC and later became First Niagara Bank. The bank was closed in 2016 after KeyBank bought out First Niagara and operations there were consolidated to KeyBank’s East Fourth St. location in Dunkirk.

The property is currently owned by the Dunkirk Local Development Corp. The DLDC took possession of it from Chautauqua County in December, 2022.

According to the county’s on-line tax records, Nevada New Builds, LLC bought the property in 2018 for $100,000. Dinesh Kumar bought it in 2019 for $120,000 and transferred it to Hari Krishnann. The county took possession in 2022 and sold the property to the DLDC for $1,000.