TONAWANDA ISLAND [New York]: State funds to demolish former fire tower.

by Mia Summerson, Lockport Journal (NY)

Aside from a restaurant, some industry and a few docks, there's not much reason to visit Tonawanda Island. But the city of North Tonawanda's plans to make a destination out of the area have taken a step forward. 

Just last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office announced the fifth round of funding for the Restore New York Communities Initiative, which aims to support municipal revitalization efforts. Of the $8.8 million awarded to projects in Western New York, North Tonawanda is slated to receive $161,167, which will be used to demolish an old fire tower on the island.

The money will go toward the "demolition of the former fire training tower on Bridge Street to prepare the property for a future mixed-use development that can serve as a potential catalyst to the future of Tonawanda Island," according to a press release from Cuomo's office detailing the grant awards. 

In December, the North Tonawanda common council heard a pitch on the project from Michael Zimmerman, executive director of the Lumber City Development Corp. He said the 3-acre parcel included the tower and smokehouse buildings, along with other "various debris." He said that the tower is no longer used by fire professionals, adding that "they're not safe." 

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For the entire article, see

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/where-there-was-smoke-there-s-development-in-nt/article_f1bce82d-244c-5a06-afaa-a23cc6fe40db.html