Although construction, in a best case scenario, is still at least two years away, the fact that People Inc. wants to retrofit a long vacant five-story building in the heart of the DeGraff Medical Park into a senior housing-anchored project is helping North Tonawanda solve one of its major economic development issues.
"You have to view as an absolutely viable project," said North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec. "This is a project that makes so much sense."
Brian Smith, People Inc. vice president of real estate development, cautions the project is still in its earliest stage.
"We have a long way to go," Smith said.
People Inc., early in 2026, will be applying to New York state for financial backing. A final development cost has yet to be determined.
If New York agrees to provide financial assistance - a key for the project to pencil out - and, if all the North Tonawanda approvals are granted, People Inc. may be ready to move forward with the DeGraff project by late 2027.
"But, that is the best case scenario," Smith said.
Tentative plans call for People Inc. to bring anywhere from 60 to 80 apartments into the building, with the apartments marketed to senior citizens who meet certain financial guidelines.
People Inc. may also use part of the building for an employee training center and some specialized programming space.
The fate of the building has been a local talking point for the past few years, Tylec said.
"Residents in that area were very excited to hear that People Inc. wants to move into the building," Tylec said.
Andrea Klyczek, Niagara County Industrial Development Agency executive director, said that sort of project is "well suited" for that area.
"If anyone can turn around a building like that, it is People Inc.," Klyczek said.
Smith said People Inc. had been searching for a suitable location for a new, North Tonawanda senior housing project and the DeGraff building worked perfectly into its site search.
"It's a good site for senior housing," Smith said. "It is a site that has so much potential."