Wheatfield applying for Restore NY grant to demolishing business park building

Apr. 12—The Town of Wheatfield is working on a Restore NY grant to fund the demolition of a vacant building at the former Bell Aircraft facility.

A public hearing on the effort is set for 6:45 p.m. Monday before the regular town board meeting at 7 p.m. Town Supervisor Don MacSwan said the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency is sponsoring the town in the grant process.

The grant request for the work is $1.5 million, with the total cost for the first phase of the project set at $3.2 million. IDA Assistant Director Andrea Klyzek said there are additional phases of work beyond demolition that the site owners, Wheatfield Business Park LLC, have planned.

Operations manager Sean Roberts could not be reached in time for publication for additional information.

The building in question is located roadside at 2221 Niagara Falls Blvd. in front of other buildings making up the current Wheatfield Business Park. It has been vacant since 1996, previously housing engineer work when operating as part of Bell Aircraft.

Restore NY grants are meant to encourage community development and neighborhood growth by eliminating and redeveloping blighted structures.

Final applications for this round are due May 22.

MacSwan said there isn't a firm timeline on when the town will be notified if they have been awarded the grant.