The city of Dunkirk may soon be seeing more development within city limits, including more residential apartments.
Brian Burke of Chadwick Bay, LLC presented to the Dunkirk Local Development Corporation Board of Directors (DLDC) regarding the Flickinger Building located at 208-214 Washington Ave.
"It is our intent to move forward and redevelop the ... buildings," Burke said. "What we'd like to do is be respectful of the historical facade and redo that as we have done with the Chadwick Bay Loft building retaining the archways, retaining the natural brick, recreating any of the original elements, recreate the structural components. The building is in very bad shape right now. It needs a lot of attention," Burke said.
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OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
Redevelopment of the Flickinger Building could start as early as Spring 2013 if all goes as planned.
The estimated project will cost $4 million and the project is proposing 19 residential units with commercial space on the first floor. Each residential unit will be approximately 800 to 900 square feet. Chadwick Bay LLC has applied for a brownfield site for the property and has completed the environmental phase I and II studies. These phases were to conclude if there were contaminants on the property.
"We have done those particular phases and they have come back there are some contaminants in the soil and ... it is not a toxic site," Burke said.
For funding for the project, Burke intends to apply for grants to get approximately $2 million. The development office will have to apply for additional funding. If the funding is not acquired, Burke said the project will only focus on one of the two buildings located at 208-214.
"The ideal scenario is that we use the next few months to apply for those particular programs, we get the funding approved in February (and) March. I'd like to see some work being done there in Spring. It is contingent on getting the additional funds," Burke said.
Burke came to the DLDC seeking reimbursement payments for a total of $13,105 for the testing of the soil. The DLDC approved the payment to Chadwick Bay, LLC. DLDC member Stephanie Kiyak said the testing of the soil would have to happen regardless of the current project.
"This would be needed regardless, even if (Chadwick Bay, LLC) were not in the picture," she said.
According to the phase I and II studies, a recommendation was made that soil up to 18 inches deep be removed from the site in sections throughout the interior and exterior of the building.
The DLDC also had questions regarding how well the Chadwick Bay Loft residences, which are owned by Burke's company, are doing since the property opened three years ago.
"On the first floor, the former Papaya Arts space is available at this point in time. ... We do have three residential units...," Burke said. "We've been 100 percent occupied in that building for three years. This is a recent change that has occurred. I wouldn't be jumping into this project if I wasn't confident."
The DLDC also approved new loan terms with Enviroteknix with a vote of 4-2. The resolution will again be addressed at next month's meeting per request of some board members. Mayor A.J. Dolce is looking for letters of interest for any who would like to be considered to serve on the Festivals Committee. All interested parties will be involved in planning and participating in events put on by the Festivals Committee. Letters can be emailed to info@cityofdunkirk.com or may be mailed or dropped off at City Hall, attn: Mayor A.J. Dolce.
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