ESD, City of Niagara Falls announce first 4 developers for city-owned properties in Bridge District

First step toward fostering diversified ownership, revitalized North Main Street

√ See list of all properties to be developed here

Empire State Development Press Release

Empire State Development and the City of Niagara Falls today announced agreements for the first four of 38 properties to be developed in the Bridge District of Niagara Falls, including the four-story former Jenss Department Store. The plans are the first step in fostering a more productive North Main Street area environment, featuring diversified ownership and development. This broadened revitalization project also builds on the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative efforts in the district. ESD has awarded the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency a $2.5 million grant to reimburse the URA for property acquisition, building stabilization and developer procurement for the 38 properties.

“The acquisitions and developer selections announced today are key steps in a concerted effort to bring new life to Niagara Falls' once-vibrant commercial district,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “Gov. Hochul's Downtown Revitalization Initiative has already placed a strong emphasis on the Bridge District, and the selection of developers today facilitates more diverse ownership, encourages future uses, and fosters a dynamic future for an area with immense potential.”

“These properties have been vacant and damaged for years under single-party ownership,” Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said. “By acquiring them and then transferring ownership on a more community-oriented scale, we are advancing the community's vision for revitalization. I thank Gov. Hochul and our partners for their assistance as we move forward with repurposing these buildings and filling vacant lots to create more business and job opportunities.”

The four entities chosen for development projects at the following addresses include:

√ 717 (vacant lot) and 723 Division (historic house) – Develop Niagara Inc.

√ 1509 Main St. (former church) – NFNHA Holdings LLC

√ 1708 Main St. (former Jenss) – 1708 Main St. LLC

√ 2109 Main St. (former bar/nightclub) – RJ Niagara LLC

The city and its partners are working to ensure the future development of this district by ensuring the viability of each individual project, and the accountability of each selected developer. Each project, which will require entering into a development enforcement mortgage, will be monitored until completion.

The URA purchased the 38 properties from BankOnBuffalo earlier this year. Since the finalization of the purchase, the URA has been working with its partners from ESD, the Niagara County IDA, and the Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corp. (NORLIC, aka the Land Bank), to stabilize and revitalize these properties. Many of the properties have been cleaned out, secured, and continue to be monitored to ensure the buildings are safe. Next, the remaining buildings will have stabilization, roof and masonry repairs to seal them ahead of the winter season.

As the first four development agreements move forward, URA will continue to competitively solicit proposals from qualified development teams to rehabilitate, reuse and/or redevelop the remaining properties for a mix of uses that may include student/conventional residential, retail, entertainment, office, educational, and similar uses consistent with City of Niagara Falls development policies/regulations and broader revitalization efforts in the district. A list of the properties can be found here.

The Niagara Falls Bridge District centers on a Main Street corridor containing prominent civic and cultural assets and regional transportation amenities near to the natural attractions of DeVeaux Woods State Park and the Niagara Gorge. In recent years, the construction of The Niagara Falls International Train Station and Intermodal Transportation Center – and initial phases of parkway removal to fully restore ecosystems along the Niagara Gorge rim – have laid the groundwork for enhanced connectivity among these core components.

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov, or connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.