Commercial space on the ground floor of the downtown Dunkirk building is just about ready for a tenant. Crewson Development and Hunt Real Estate ran a reception for the open house in the area, where bank clerks once sat. Their kiosks have vanished, replaced with a blank-canvas open space.

However, on the periphery, the bank vault and drive-through teller window remain.

The “mixed use” project is the Dunkirk Downtown Revitalization Initiative that has gotten the furthest so far. The project got $900,000 from the DRI, along with a $150,000 grant from the state’s Regional Economic Development Council. The project cost about $2.4 million overall.

Wednesday’s reception at 401 Central Ave. drew Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency officials, including director Mark Geise. The project got tax breaks from the IDA.

Dunkirk City Hall viewed from one of the new apartments at 401 Central Avenue.

City of Dunkirk officials, including Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, Planning and Development Director Vince DeJoy, and Councilwoman Nancy Nichols, also made appearances.

The 2,700 square foot ground floor commercial space doesn’t have a tenant and will need a bit more work done for a business to move in. Hunt Real Estate is reportedly looking for a single tenant, but will divide up the space for that tenant if needed.

The apartments, on the other hand, are ready to go. Lee Crewson of Crewson Development said they are getting marketed by Good Carbon property management company.

There are five apartments available. A second-floor apartment at the rear of the building has its own staircase, while the other four share a stairwell near the main entrance.

The apartments are one- and two-bedroom units with plenty of space. Each of them has brand new kitchen and bathroom appliances.

The kitchen and living room in one of five new apartments built at 401 Central Avenue.

The building was erected in 1938 and was the longtime home of Lake Shore National Bank. It was later used by Marine Midland, HSBC, and First Niagara banks. First Niagara was bought out by Key Bank and shut down its branch in 2016, and the building sat unused until the current project.