Dunkirk projects lift area's economy - Business First of Buffalo:

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A third project, which he callefd key to revitalizingthe waterfront, was a $1 milliohn city project, the Dunkirk Boardwalk With room for eight retailers, it opened last May as a kind of incubatof itself. The goal was to have shop owners succeed, outgrow the space and move someplacer alongthe waterfront. Today, the apartment complez – the Chadwick Bay Loftxs – and the market are both at capacity. While no retailerds have moved on, Frey likesw what he’s seen, as well as what’s on the horizonm when the topic of waterfronrt developmentcomes up. “We’re thrilled,” Frey said. He stilpl keeps tabs on the tech which he saidis “moving alontg rapidly.
” The cost of the incubatodr is about $6 million, and it’s on schedule for completion in October. It will accommodate up to 30 startuptechnology companies. “We expecft to have at least 10 occupants by the end of thiscalendat year,” said Fredonia State Presiden t Dennis Hefner. “SUNY Fredonia is committed to serving the needds of this region and very excited about the potentia l for this economicdevelopment project.” Of the boardwalkk market, Frey said, “We’re driving traffivc to the waterfront.” A year ago, Frey told Business First the city is a different place than it was four yeares prior.
Part of the plan, he said, was to make Dunkirmk more of atourist destination. Aiding that coulds be “Aqua City,” the $1.2 million indoor/outdoo r water park to be built at theClarion Hotel, whicj in April unveiled plans to Frey said a Memorial Park is to be dedicated later this year and two restaurants, Demitri’a and Walleye Willy’s, expressed interest in refurbishinf nearby sidewalks. He said a major project has helpedthe city, too. “We worked closelty with NRG on the expansion of thei r new bag houses and cleaningup emissions,” Frey “It’s a $160 million project, a greaty economic boom to the area.
There’s been 500 to 600 constructiohnpeople here, and the Clariohn is operating at around 80 to 90 percentf capacity.” Dunkirk is using federall money so the can dredge the harbor, which Frey said not only will help recreational vessels but will get coal freighteres to the NRG plant easier. On April 20, Rep. Briamn Higgins, D-Buffalo, secured $376,000 in federak funding for dredging efforts in Dunkirk Harbodr through the House Energy and Water Aweek later, Dunkirk was awarded an additionao $820,000 in Recovery Act funding, which also was put towarfd the harbor project.
“I would hope this woulds increase that type of traffic and reducerail traffic, whichb crosses Route 5 and has become a he said. “(The trains) restrict traffif on the highway, with so many coming in and Frey is also hopeful dredging will help the sporfishing industry. Dunkirk, he has become a popular destinatiobn for people anglingfor steelhead, trout and He said when the process is complete, navigating Dunkirk’sx inner harbor should be easier. “That wouls be a big plus for us,” Frey said.