Article via Business First
By Jim Fink
The revamped stretch of Ohio Street between downtown Buffalo and the Outer Harbor property is about to see another private sector-driven project get underway.
Ellicott Development Co. hopes to start work this summer — perhaps as early as July, on a five-story, mixed-use building at 399 Ohio Street that will bring 21 market-rate apartments and a pair of restaurants to the area.
The project cleared its final hurdle when the Buffalo Planning Board signed off on the proposal Tuesday morning.
Ellicott will be investing more than $4.5 million to develop the building on what is now a vacant parcel just south of Buffalo Riverfest Park, near “Peg’s Park.” It is one of several developments either planned or underway along Ohio Street, including Savarino Cos. $18 million Lake Erie Freight House residential project at 441 Ohio St.
The Ellicott plan calls for the building to house a pair of locally-operated restaurants on its first floor. Together the two restaurants will occupy 10,000-square-feet and include such amenities as a sandy beach and outdoor volleyball court.
Office space, approximately 10,000-square-feet, will occupy the second floor.
The apartments — a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units — will be constructed on the building’s top three floors.
With direct access to the Buffalo River, the project will also include slips for the apartment tenants or restaurant patrons.
The building is expected to be tenant ready by early next year.
