Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - In what may be the largest private sector-driven project within the City of Tonawanda in recent memory, a development team, led by businessman Joseph Carubba, will be building a five-story, apartment-anchored building that overlooks a portion of Ellicott Creek.
Preliminary work, mostly in the form of demolition and Brownfield remediation, will start this fall on the Fillmore Avenue parcels where Carubba's development team will build the 123-unit Ellie apartment building.
The project carries a development price tag of $40 million.
Carubba says he was drawn to the site because of its prime location along Ellicott Creek, and the ability to play off other developments that have either been completed or are underway in both the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda business districts that traverse the Erie Canal and Ellicott Creek waterways.
"The water is a big attraction," Carubba said. "But there has also been a lot of work done in both Tonawandas."
The Ellie, whose name comes from the building overlook Ellicott Creek, is also one of the largest developments Carubba has undertaken.
Carubba said after the demolition and brownfield clean up is completed, he expects construction to start by this coming spring.
"You will see a lot of activity there very soon," Carubba said.
Plans call for the Ellie to have move-in ready for apartment tenants by early 2027.