By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron Brown toured the new headquarters of the New Era Cap Company Wednesday.
The Derby-based company is spending $10 million converting the old Federal Reserve Building downtown into its new corporate home. Architects say reconstructing a secure banking facility into office space for a growing company posed a challenge. They say two of the three bank vaults will stay but a gun range will be dismantled.
Brown says the project is a key part of downtown's future.
"Something unique is happening in the city right now," Brown said. "We want to continue the momentum we're seeing in the city. We think it bodes well for bringing other businesses into downtown Buffalo."
City officials say they expect to see half-a-billion dollars in new construction downtown over the next ten years.
Brown says he'd like to see more housing downtown that people can own.