Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski calls for progress update on Heritage Point

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski filed a letter with the council Tuesday looking for an update from Nick Sinatra, the CEO of Sinatra & Company, on the Heritage Point project at Canalside.

The $40 million project, which includes two mixed-use buildings to be used for retail, restaurants and office space, is causing frustration among neighbors and the community due to delays, Nowakowski said. Construction on the project began in March 2021.

In the letter, Nowakowski spoke about taking action and being transparent since taxpayer money is being invested into the project.

"According to Pamm Lent, a spokesperson for the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, the project is still slated to be completed in 2025," he said in the letter. "The pause in construction is untenable, and we must work together to find a viable solution that will allow us to move this forward."

Sinatra told WIVB News 4 they met with Nowakowski and the mayor and "welcome the city" to help them "find a collective solution" to the ongoing project.

According to Nowakowski, Sinatra is working to secure $4 million from New York State to cover a $10 million funding gap in the project and resume construction.

Nowakowski requested a progress update from Sinatra by 2 p.m. on Sep. 10, to be presented during the city's Community Development Committee meeting.