Pictured is a rendering of a housing project to be built on Washington Street, Dunkirk by Regan Development. They would like to start construction in the spring or summer of 2025 if they are successful at landing a grant.
If possible, the developers of two proposed housing units in the city of Dunkirk would like to start construction a year from now and be open in the fall of 2026.
During the recent Chautauqua County Industrial Development meeting, Larry Regan and Gabe Regan discussed their proposed housing projects on East Fourth Street and Washington Avenue.
Regan Development Corp. originally proposed the projects to the county IDA back in January. At that meeting they shared that they were looking to purchase and demolish 208-214 Washington Avenue as well as 220 Washington Ave., where Paradis Fencing and Flag is located. The building has many boarded windows. This apartment complex would have 30 units.
The second apartment complex would be placed at 160-164 E. Fourth St., which is part of a strip mall. In this proposal, the former Family Dollar and Veterans Affairs Clinic locations would be demolished to become a 48-unit apartment complex. There would also be a daycare center in the apartment complex.
Within the last two years, Family Dollar moved from the end plaza to next door to Save A-Lot and both businesses would remain.
After the January meeting, Regan Developers appeared before the Dunkirk City Planning Board and made some changes to the East Fourth Street project.
“Washington Ave, Dunkirk housing project” in May photos
Pictured is a rendering of a housing project to be built on Washington Street, Dunkirk by Regan Development. They would like to start construction in the spring or summer of 2025 if they are successful at landing a grant.
The developers told IDA officials that the revised plan for the East Fourth Street project was coordinated with the owners of the shopping plaza and the Chautauqua Center, which both border the proposed housing project. It was needed, in part, because of shared parking. “The (neighboring) owners are very happy with our revised design,” Larry Regan said.
Because those changes were made, the county IDA had to pass a new “due diligence” resolution, which allows them to look into environmental studies, tax break options and hold the necessary public hearings. Any final decisions are expected in the next month or two.
Also, Regan Development is applying to the state for grant funds from the Housing Community Renewal. Larry Regan said he is hoping to get a response by December or January.
If the state approves the grant funds, Larry Regan said they want to start construction for both projects in late spring or early summer in 2025. They’re expecting the projects to take 14 months to complete.
Regan Developers previously shared the apartments would mostly have one or two bedrooms. They are targeting the apartments for employed people. The locations were chosen so that people who live there would have the ability to walk to work if needed or desired.
They also previously shared that a portion of the housing would be used for veterans who are either homeless or are in danger of being homeless.
The two housing projects were one of the recipients of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants for the city of Dunkirk, getting $500,000.