During the county Industrial Development Agency meeting, board members heard from officials with Regan Development Corp. to construct two housing units – one on Washington Avenue and the other on East Fourth Street. Included in the proposal is a childcare center and another portion would be available for veterans who are experiencing homelessness.

Kristine Morabito with the county IDA said one proposal calls for the purchase and demolition of 208-214 Washington Ave. as well as 220 Washington Ave. That appears to be where Paradis Fencing and Flag is located. The building has many boarded windows.

Morabito described them as “long vacant and limited activity buildings.”

This apartment complex would have 30 units.

OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Chautauqua County IDA officials hear about a proposed apartment complex on East Fourth Street, Dunkirk.

The second apartment complex would be placed at 160-164 E. Fourth St. Morabito said a strip plaza would be partially torn down. That appears to be where Save-A-Lot and Family Dollar are located. She did not specify if any businesses would relocate as a result. Save-A-Lot has a street address of 166 E. Fourth St.

This apartment complex would have 48 units in it. There would also be a daycare center in it, which would be about 6,500 square feet.

According to Morabito, the apartments would mostly have one or two bedrooms. The developers 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.

According to county IDA Director and Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise, these apartments are being proposed through the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which was awarded to Dunkirk by the state. “This is one of those projects that they (state) are considering for funding,” he said.

Geise said there’s a need for affordable housing for working families.

Regan Development is expected to seek housing tax credits from the state.

Geise said he’s excited about the possibility. “Regan is a very well known and reputable firm. They’ve done work all over the place and their projects are incredible,” he said.

Larry Regan said they’ve been in the affordable housing/mixed use development industry in New York state for more than 30 years. They’re based in Westchester County and currently have three housing projects in the city of Buffalo. “We’ve always wanted to come out to Chautauqua County and the Dunkirk area,” he said.

Regan Development Corp. is a for-profit business. “We are tools for communities and counties such as yourself and agencies such as yourself to build, own, develop and operate workforce housing developments,” he said.

For the proposed daycare center, Regan said they’ve been talking with the Chautauqua Center to operate it. If that falls through, he said they will find another agency to operate it.

Regan said this project would help the city “create a 24-7 live-work area where we can help repopulate the downtown with quality housing, with quality workforce renters who are going to shop and recreate and go to restaurants in the downtown core.”

Regan said both of these properties have been approved by the state to be part of the brownfield clean-up program, which is providing them some tax assistance.

A portion of the housing would be used for the state’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative for veterans who are either homeless or are in danger of being homeless. It would be run by the organization Soldier On. “They coordinate the services for these veterans. They provide access and entry into the community for them as well as support services for any of their needs,” Regan explained.

The buildings would be fully electric and have broadband available for residents.

Regan Development Corp. is seeking a 30-year Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Agreement from the county IDA.

The IDA Board of Directors approved a “due diligence resolution.” That vote allows the IDA to start the process of doing environmental testing, exploring options for tax breaks and allows for them to hold a public hearing before any final agreements take place.

County Executive PJ Wendel said he is encouraged by the proposal. “The need for this type of housing in Chautauqua County is great. I hope this can be the beginning of a longer lasting friendship. I think what you’re presenting here is amazing,” he said.