By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-819842.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Industrial Development Agency Monday approved nearly eleven million dollars in tax breaks to help rehab two abandoned sites in Buffalo and Kenmore.
The ECIDA approved tax abatements and other inducements toward the renovation of two former prime business sites. The biggest portion of the tax breaks - nearly nine million dollars - will go to the Iskalo Development Company. The company will rehab or demolish and reconstruct three former Kane Doyle buildings.
The prime stretch along Delaware Avenue in Kenmore will be reconfigured for mixed use in the village. The project is expected to return more than eight million dollars in economic activity. Alfred Culliton is Chief Financial Officer for the ECIDA. He said the adaptive reuse program also helps prevent urban sprawl.
Another two million dollars in tax breaks was approved for the former National Casket Company building on Virginia Street. It will have new life as the Allentown Lofts. Culliton said the investments are critical to saving and building the tax bases for municipalities with idle properties.
It is expected that the Kenmore project will generate about 114 new jobs once the renovation is complete. Another 14 jobs could be created for construction of the Allentown Lofts.