A set of long-vacant storefronts on Main Street have been purchased by Family & Children’s Service of Niagara, Inc. and will soon be turned into a one-stop family center.
The nonprofit countywide agency held a ceremony Thursday morning to officially announce the acquisition of properties at 1518 and 1522 Main St. Renovation work will begin at the adjoined sites in the upcoming months as part of a $2.2 million capital project.
Upon completion, the new facility will serve as the new home office of the agency and will bring together 60 staff members who are currently disbursed in five locations across a 10 block area in Niagara Falls. It will also combine multiple services under one roof to benefit clients and assist employees in communication and the coordination of services between different program areas, said Kenneth Sass, president and CEO of Family & Children’s.
The agency, which has been located in Niagara Falls since 1895, offers 17 programs including family counseling, domestic violence and youth runaway support, mental health assistance and child abuse prevention. During a presentation made to the City Council in April, Sass said 2,900 families were helped last year, including 1,750 from Niagara Falls.
Councilmembers approved a city contribution of $250,000 for the redevelopment project, which is being publicly and privately financed. Other funding partners lined up so far include The Grigg-Lewis Foundation, state Sen. George Maziarz, Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger.
The new building, located just down the road from the new municipal safety complex under construction, is now in the engineering and design phase, said Jennifer Tresch, director of development for the agency. Reconstruction work will begin by early next year and the facility should be operational by the following fall, she added.
Mayor Paul Dyster was among the elected officials attending Thursday’s ceremony. He said the project fits within the strategy to resurrect Main Street and will bring together 60 employees who will become potential customers to the surrounding businesses.
While the project will consolidate services from five locations, Family & Children’s will continue to operate two emergency shelters in Niagara Falls: Casey House for homeless and runaway youth and Passage House for victims of domestic violence. In addition, offices will remain in Lockport and North Tonawanda as well as family resource centers in Niagara Falls and in the Lockport, Newfane and Royalton-Hartland school districts.
The agency currently has 95 staff members in 13 location across the county.
Local News
NIAGARA FALLS: Agency acquires Main Street site for consolidation plans
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
