Submitted Photo Pictured is an artist’s rendering of the revitalized exterior of the C.E Welch Building, located at 2 South Portage Street.

Today marks the beginning of a new era for the C. E. Welch building located in Westfield. With the assistance of $475,000 AL Tech Revolving Loan Fund financing provided by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, 2 Portage, LLC now owns the prominent historic structure located across from the village square in the community’s downtown residential and business district.

2 Portage, LLC will undertake the historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the C.E. Welch Building. The 51,000 square foot structure is located in the French Portage Road Historic District, which is both a local and nationally registered Historic District. Built for Dr. Charles E. Welch in 1909, the C.E. Welch Building represents a significant contribution to the history of architecture and commerce in the historic district. Most notably, the building housed the office headquarters of the Welch’s Grape Juice Co. Welch’s has a long history in this grape growing region and continues to have a strong presence in Westfield and surrounding areas.

After Welch Foods sold the building to a private developer in 2005, who was not able to proceed with rehabilitation and reuse of the building, it was acquired by the Town of Westfield in 2014. In 2021, they issued a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the Welch Block. A development team headed up by Savarino Cos., including RANT, LLC was awarded Designated Developer status, and subsequently entered into a purchase agreement with the Town. Savarino and the Town of Westfield also secured state funding through the Restore NY program and other ESD sources.

Upon completion, the building will include 46 mixed-income residential units, including studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 500 to 1,200 square feet. In addition, there will be 3,700 square feet of commercial space located in original commercial space at the corner of Portage Road and Main Street. The commercial space will be targeted at a mix of tenants, including a food and beverage/retail operator in the street-level space, and other professional service office spaces on the ground floor. The redevelopment of this building will provide needed housing in the Village, and street level retail, both of which will support the walkability and vitality of the Village.

The $18 million project was recently approved by village officials. With the acquisition now complete, construction is expected to commence in mid-2023 after final Historic Landmark status is approved by the National Parks Service. The property will be renovated and managed by Savarino Companies.

In accordance with the local leaders’ goals, the four-story landmark will remain intact, restored to its original grandeur, and will better suit community needs of today and beyond.

“Like many communities of its size across New York state, the village of Westfield has some notable historic structures which are integral to the fabric of its central core but that, sadly, sit empty and abandoned. The team here at Savarino is excited to be working with the Village and Town of Westfield to bring this historic structure back to life. The C.E. Welch Building will soon be adding residents and commercial activity to the corner of South Portage and Main Streets” said Savarino Companies CEO, Samuel Savarino.

“Chautauqua County and Westfield are moving forward,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “This adaptive, reuse and mixed-use project with co-located apartments and retail space is an example of how we are capitalizing on the rich history of our towns and villages across the county, adapting, thriving, and growing in new ways. I am excited that 2 Portage, LLC will breathe new life into this iconic building that has been an important part of our local history.”

Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, Mark Geise said, “Attractive, right-sized housing for individual or family needs is crucial toward retaining and rebuilding the local economy. Although many exquisite, well-built homes exist in and around the Village of Westfield, certain housing and job seekers desire modern, ready-to-live in apartment space. This much-needed housing will also attract those who wish to live in a downtown walkable community, which supports and sustains local restaurants, small businesses, and fosters capacity for new entrepreneurial endeavors.”

The project will create an estimated 70 construction jobs and three post-construction full-time equivalent jobs.