A proposal to turn it into apartments and commercial space could begin in the late spring with plans for it to be open by 2027.

Sam Savarino, the chief executive officer of Savarino Companies, appeared in person at Tuesday’s Chautauqua County Industrial Development Board of Directors meeting to give an update on the project.

The building is located at 2 Portage Ave. and was the headquarters of the Welch Grape Company.

Welch abandoned the building in 2005.

Pictured is a conceptual rendering of 2 Portage Ave., Westfield. The updated project description calls for all 46 housing units in the project to be market rate, while also updating the overall cost of the project. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2027.

Savarino’s original proposal was to have 46 apartments, with a portion of those being for lower income residents. There would also be commercial space on the first floor.

In December 2021, the county IDA initially approved a Payment In Lieu Of Tax incentives for adaptive re-use of the four-story, 51,000 square foot structure. Those incentives included real property, sales tax, and mortgage recording tax abatements to assist with renovating the building and creating a mix of residential apartments and commercial tenant space.

In 2023, the IDA approved a $475,000 loan for the project, which helped secure the purchase of the building.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Savarino said they have been doing a lot of work on the interior. “In spite of the fact that it was acknowledged that the building had been fully abated, many contaminates remain,” he said.

That work cost them about another $1 million. They did get a grant to help with that cost.

Savarino said they had sought assistance through the state’s Housing and Community Renewal program. That program would require restrictions on incomes on the portion of those who live there.

Instead, Savaraino said they’re changing their focus and will rent the apartments out at market rate, with no income restrictions on the tenants.

Because of that change, the county IDA board was asked to amend the project description, which it unanimously agreed to do.

Additionally, the total project budget was updated to $19.25 million.

Savarino said they’ve applied for $1 million in assistance from the village of Westfield’s recently awarded NY Forward grant it received from the state. The final determination on that funding won’t be known until the spring of 2026, possibly May or June.

Meanwhile, Savarino said they’ve applied for a building permit and are getting subcontractor price quotes.

He said they may do some demolition work before next spring as well.

Their goal, Savarino said, is for the work to be completed by the summer of 2027.

With the apartments, Savarino said three of them will be studios and others will be two bedroom units. Because they’re remodeling an older building, all of the apartments will be unique.

County IDA Director Mark Geise said this project fits with what the IDA is trying to do. “One of our primary economic development goals for Chautauqua County is to provide additional, modern housing units in our communities,” he said. “Certain professionals and job seekers desire modern, ready-to-live in apartment space located in a downtown walkable community. This project in Westfield, combined with others we are working on in both northern and southern Chautauqua County, show our commitment to making the county an attractive place to live and work for new and prospective members of our workforce.”

County Executive PJ Wendel agreed. “If we want to strengthen and grow the economy in Chautauqua County, we need to be able to provide up-to-date housing units with modern amenities for working professionals,” he said. “This adaptive, reuse and mixed-use project in Westfield is an example of how we are capitalizing on the rich history of our towns and villages across the county to provide new and attractive housing for our residents. I am excited that 2 Portage, LLC will breathe new life into this iconic building that has been an important part of our local history.”