BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The next step in Canalside's development takes place Tuesday with Sinatra Real Estate's "Heritage Point" project.
The $30 million development will include two six-story buildings which include 64 apartments, office spaces, plus restaurants and retail.
"It's going to be twin six-story buildings because we're going to preserve the historical slip there that goes down to the canal," Nick Sinatra, Founder of Sinatra Real Estate, said. "We're building each building overlooking that slip if you will. It's been a long time in the making but we're really excited that we're finally going to kick it off."
While Tuesday marks the first official day of construction, there are still hurdles to overcome. Starting next month, crews will clean up the site because it was designated by the state as a Brownfield Cleanup Program. Sinatra expects the cleanup to take four months. Once it's cleared, physical construction will begin.
"The idea is to have it ready mid-summer next year," Sinatra said.
Heritage Point will be located immediately to the east of Explore & More Children's Museum. Between the two buildings will be a walkway that leads to the North Aud Block, which is planned for another mixed-use development that includes 200 apartments, commercial space, and underground parking.
A statue of Tim Horton is currently at the site. Sinatra said the statue will remain at Canalside, though it will be in a new location.
Heritage Point (rendering)NYS
Steve Ranalli, President of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, praised the project and said Heritage Point will feature the first apartments built at Canalside.
"It's been part of a planning process for years," Ranalli said. "The programming and the other developments like One Canalside and HarborCenter and even the culturals like the children's museum, longshed, and soon-to-be-open carousel, all of those things have built up the momentum around Canalside to the point where Nick Sinatra can come in and take a big swing and bringing people to live at Canalside."
Other projects on the horizon include the carousel along the boardwalk and other mixed-use buildings to give Canalside the "neighborhood" field.
"Certainly the North Aud Block remains," Ranalli said. "The ECHDC board and staff will be taking some moves this year to progress that project and we hope to get that to the private development side later this year or early next."
A ceremonial groundbreaking event for the site was planned Tuesday but was canceled late-Monday. The event cancellation will have no effect on the project.
