Gabe Regan with Dunkirk Landing, LLC appeared at the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency meeting to discuss their two apartment projects on East Fourth Street and Washington Avenue.

Gabriel Regan appeared at the county IDA meeting twice before to discuss the projects.

Regan Development first proposed the apartment projects back in early 2024. It was brought up following Dunkirk’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

On East Fourth Street they’re looking to tear down a small portion of the shopping plaza that is unused and construct a 48-unit apartment complex.

They’re also planning on having a daycare center in this area, but currently they do not have a provider.

These apartments would be for employed individuals. A small portion will be devoted for veterans.

For the Washington Avenue project, they’re looking to place it at 208-214 Washington Avenue as well as 220 Washington Ave., where Paradis Fencing and Flag is located. The building has many boarded windows and has a bad roof. This apartment complex would have 30 units.

Regan said the state Department of Environmental Conservation has been slowing the project due to brownfields, but felt confident that they would soon get the green light to start.

“We’re planning on March 13 as our date,” he said, explaining that is the construction closing date.

Demolition work is expected to begin immediately afterward on both locations simultaneously.

Regan said as long as work begins in March, he expects to have a certificate of occupancy by Oct. 1, 2027, with tenants moving in Nov. 1.

The original price tag for both projects was $35 million. Regan said it’s gone up about another $3 million since first proposed.

Dunkirk Dunkirk Development Director Vince DeJoy was in attendance at the IDA meeting this week and said the mayor and the common council are both in support of the project.

“This project is very much needed in the city of Dunkirk as companies such as Wells ramps up their employment,” DeJoy said. “There’s a lack of good, affordable, safe housing in the city of Dunkirk in terms of rentals, so this project has been a god-send.”

DeJoy said the DRI is providing up to $1 million in financial assistance.

The county IDA Board of Directors voted to approve a “due diligence” resolution, which allows the IDA to begin investigating potential Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreements and other financial incentives.

A final vote will be needed by the Board of Directors to authorize any PILOT agreements. No board members gave any indications they had any concerns at this stage with the development.