NT architects seek to revive old warehouse – Niagara Gazette

The old warehouse building at 211 Main St. in North Tonawanda was not built to last.

According to Joy Kuebler, one of two women with plans to bring new life to the building, the structure was made with cheap materials when it was built nearly 90 years ago. The fact that its still standing, she said, is unusual.

Were looking at a substantial reconstruction, but we want to maintain the historic integrity, Kuebler said, adding that theyd like to create a 21st century building that lasts another 100 years.

Kuebler, owner of Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, P.C., has teamed up with Kelley Culp-Burton, owner of KCB Architecture, P.C., to convert the building into new office spaces for their growing businesses. They plan to move their businesses to the space and expect to have 10,000 square feet left over which can be rented out to other tenants. They plan to use movable walls to allow the space to be reconfigured, as needed, over time.

Under the name Enterprise Lumber and Silo, the two have applied for assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency. Theyve been approved by the NCIDA for a 10-year tax abatement, a sales tax abatement and a mortgage recording tax abatement to help bring the $3.1 million project to fruition.

Thats just one piece of a handful of things we need to get in place to make this project happen, Culp-Burton said.

She added that theres also the possibility of additional funding from the state Department of Environmental Conservation if they get approved to be part of the brownfield program. Theyve also received a $300,000 Restore New York grant and Culp-Burton said there are programs through both National Grid and National Fuel that help with the restoration of abandoned buildings. She said theyve also received support from state Sen. Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and state Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Kenmore.

The project is expected to transfer 11 jobs to the new facility, with Kuebler saying they expect to add four to five employees each over the next 10 years. The project summary issued by the NCIDA says they plan to create seven new jobs.

As with any building as old as 211 Main St., there is substantial repair work to be done before theyre ready to open for business. The big issue is the roof, which needs to be replaced, along with the windows and the exterior walls of the structure. Whats still in good shape, Culp-Burton said, is the timber frame. She said thats part of the historical feel to the building that theyd like to preserve.

In addition to enhancing their businesses and providing space for new businesses, they also plan to utilize the space in ways that benefit the community. They plan to use a portion of the building to create a space that can be rented out for community events and theyre also working with students in North Tonawanda High Schools Academy of Engineering and Architecture, who will use their project as a learning opportunity.

The project is expected to enter the construction phase during the spring of 2018 and, if all goes according to plan, open for business by late 2018 or early 2019.

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NT architects seek to revive old warehouse - Niagara Gazette