OBSERVER File Photo The Edgewood property, located on Roberts Road in the city of Dunkirk will be transformed into a state-of-the-art cold storage facility.

Special to the OBSERVER

A remediated brownfield site in Dunkirk, which has been an eyesore for decades, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art cold storage facility.

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello announced that he signed the final paperwork on Friday, July 13 to transfer the former Edgewood property, located on Roberts Road in the city of Dunkirk, to a development group led by The Krog Group and developer Peter Krog, in partnership with Sonwil Distribution of Buffalo.

The cold storage facility will be utilized by Fieldbrook Foods of Dunkirk to store finished product while it awaits shipping to its many customers across the U.S. Fieldbrook Foods is an industry-leading producer of ice cream and other frozen desserts including private-label brands that are household names throughout the world.

“Fieldbrook Foods has entered into a long-term partnership with The Krog Group to store our finished product near-site thereby reducing our freight to storage costs, creating greater efficiencies, and opening up opportunities for potential expansion within the Dunkirk Plant,” said Bob Griewisch, V.P. Purchasing & Supply Chain for Fieldbrook Foods.

“The Krog Group and Sonwil Distribution are very excited about the opportunity to construct and lease this facility to Fieldbrook Foods,” said Peter Krog, founder and CEO of The Krog Group. “We are also very appreciative of the support and assistance from the county and the IDA. This project will create a win-win situation for all involved.”

Mark Geise, deputy county executive for Economic Development and CEO of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), echoed Krog’s sentiments by stating, “I’m glad the CCIDA could play a key role in bringing this great project to fruition. It’s good for Fieldbrook Foods, it’s good for the developer, it’s good for the environment, and it’s good for the community.”

“This is a project that saw many challenges along the way and I am very pleased and grateful that the Krog Group and Sonwil were able to come to an agreement that kept this project in Chautauqua County,” said Rich Dixon, chief financial officer of the CCIDA.

“The news that the purchase agreement has now closed between the CCIDA and the Developers of the Cold Storage Warehouse to be constructed on Roberts Road in the city of Dunkirk was most welcomed by me and my entire team,” said city of Dunkirk Mayor Wilie Rosas. “The City of Dunkirk is extremely proud to see this project move toward the construction phase. Not only will the Cold Storage Warehouse provide employment opportunities to our residents, with its operation will come more jobs at Fieldbrook Foods in the city. Additionally, this new facility will be just the beginning to the enhancement and redevelopment of this entire industrial park. This is great news.”

Mayor Rosas said, “The city has been working with the county IDA for two-and-a-half years, and I especially want to thank Rich Dixon of the CCIDA for his determination and effort, as well as the entire team, to bring this project together for Dunkirk. We are grateful for the support that we have gotten, and continue to receive, from our County Executive, the IDA and all of the staff; this project has been a collaborative effort and we are proud of each of the individuals involved in bringing it to a close. I also want to thank the Fieldbrook Foods team for their cooperation and confidence in the City of Dunkirk and the CCIDA. I must also give special recognition to the City’s Director of Development, Rebecca Yanus and the entire development team, and Randy Woodbury, Director of Public Works. ”

Borrello worked directly with Peter Krog and his team to negotiate the deal for the group to acquire the Edgewood property.

“The Krog Group is certainly no stranger to Chautauqua County and negotiated in good faith with us,” said Borrello. “They have developed several projects including the BWB Building in Jamestown and the new $40 million Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, in partnership with Hart Hotels, which is under construction right now in Celoron.”

Borrello continued by saying how much he appreciated Krog’s major investments in Chautauqua County.

With the land deal successfully completed and a lease agreement secured with Fieldbrook Foods for the cold storage facility, Sonwil Distribution and The Krog Group will quickly move to demolish the old structure. They will then begin the construction phase with a target to have it operational in time for Fieldbrook Foods’ busy spring / summer season in 2019.

“This project is one of many throughout our county that will elevate us economically and help to secure a brighter future for our residents and for business development in Chautauqua County,” said Borrello.