BUFFALO, N.Y. — The partially completed Heritage Point project could have its fate decided in the coming month with two different paths laid out by state officials this week.
Widely considered an eyesore along the Buffalo Waterfront, the project is nearly seven months past a state-imposed deadline to be "substantially completed."
Developer Sinatra and Company has cited the COVID-19 pandemic and increased construction costs for slowing down the reported $40 million project.
The two unfinished steel structures were the subject of comments from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Tuesday during a meeting of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development.
"It doesn't appear there's been any movement," Poloncarz said while asking for an update on the project.
The state has been fining Sinatra and Company since at least August 2024 for failing to meet the agreed-upon deadline. First $100 a day for 60 days, then $500 a day until the work is "substantially complete."
Around the same time, according to documents obtained by 2 On Your Side, the developer told state officials it needed more money to complete the project and requested a $4 million loan.
"We propose the following options to offset the significant gap we are currently showing on this $40,000,000+ project: a $4,000,000 increase in the Better Buffalo Fund or other New York State-backed funding," the company said.
Heritage Point was originally estimated to cost a little more than $21 million.
In response to the Erie County Executive's comment, Emire State Development Senior Counsel Stephen Gawlik gave the following update.
"We're working with Sinatra to try to move the project forward. There's been a lot of discussions with the governor's office, with Sinatra, and you know, we're hoping to have something probably in the next month, but nothing's finalized at this point," Gawlik said.
Fillmore District Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski has heard a lot of complaints about the unfinished project. Heritage Point is located in his district.
"I certainly understand everyone's frustration from Marine Drive residents to Lake Front Boulevard residents to also Explore & More. ... I certainly understand the criticism about how much more public money they need," Nowakowski said.
While frustrated with the inaction Nowakowski said after several conservations with Sinatra and Company representatives he feels confident the project will come through.
"I'm going to hold out on faith after speaking with a representative of Sinatra's that in a few weeks that this development will see the light of day and will continue construction," he said.
Nowakowski did not speculate on a timeline.
Similar to previous statements, Gawlik from Empire State Development stated two options forward for the project, agree to terms on a loan or ...
"Potentially re-acquire the property."