City Councilor Pushes to Advance Canalside Project

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A summer day in Canalside shows how far the area has come in the past 15 years.

But it’s just across the road that progress stops.

Six years ago, a promise was made to add new buildings to Canalside, known as Heritage Point, containing apartments and commercial space in hopes of further revitalizing the waterfront.

But today, three years after construction began, only steel beams and construction cones remain on the $35 million project, which is expected to be completed in less than a year.

“It’s a disgrace,” said Bill Robidoux, who was at Canalside Tuesday. “Somebody’s got to set somebody else’s ass on fire.”

Mitch Nowakowski, a member of the Fillmore District City Council, said construction has stalled because the development company — Sinatra and Co. — claims to be short about $10 million and is now seeking additional taxpayer assistance to complete the project.

“Ten million dollars is a lot of money to miscalculate,” he said. “It’s just not feasible, and that’s what creates anxiety for people who want answers.”

Additionally, several contractors recently filed liens related to the project, alleging $2.8 million in unpaid bills.

That’s why Nowakowski sent a letter to developers today asking them to appear before the council on Sept. 10 and provide a timeline and answers on how they plan to close the funding gap.

He said completing the project and removing the unsightly construction site is essential to making the area a livable destination for residents.

“I hope that in September the developer will come out with concrete plans,” he said. “The key to really rebuilding Canalside and downtown is to have density and people living here 365 days a year.”

2 On Your Side reached out to Sinatra and company for comment, but they declined to provide an independent statement.