'Get the damn thing done': Erie County Executive demands action on Heritage Point development

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has voiced strong dissatisfaction with developer Nick Sinatra regarding the ongoing delays at Heritage Point, a $40 million mixed-use development stalled in the heart of Canalside.

 

"On behalf of the community, I'm gonna tell Nick, get the damn thing done," Poloncarz stated emphatically. "It's time."

 

The project, which broke ground in 2021, has faced numerous setbacks. Construction halted in March 2024 due to financing issues, leaving the site dormant and prompting community concern.

 

"It's a gray and rust stain on downtown Buffalo," Poloncarz remarked, highlighting the visual blight caused by the unfinished structure.

 

In May, Sinatra & Company announced plans to resume work over the summer. By September, they indicated the site would become active "in the coming weeks." However, as of mid-October, the construction site remains inactive, fueling public frustration.

 

"We can get things done, but this one's an example that people look at and say, 'Oh, that's just old Buffalo; nothing happens, nothing moves forward,'" Poloncarz expressed, reflecting on the project's stagnation.

 

Mark Wendel, president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, stated that his agency maintains daily communication with Sinatra & Company. "We're all anxious to get this started," Wendel said. "We're hopeful that this project will start up before the end of October, and based on our communication with the team, it is scheduled to be completed in November of 2026."

 

When questioned about his confidence in this timeline, Wendel responded, "I'm as confident as I can be."

 

In a statement, Matt Connors, vice president of development at Sinatra & Company, mentioned that financial closing documents have been prepared. He added that materials worth millions have been purchased and are in storage, ready for deployment as the team continues on-site steel preparation.

 

Poloncarz emphasized the urgency of the situation: "This is going on far too long, and it's time to literally have this project move forward or cut bait." He acknowledged that switching developers would add significant delays, potentially extending the project's timeline by months or even years.

 

Stakeholders remain hopeful that the current financing efforts will be the final step needed to reignite progress on Heritage Point, aiming to transform the site into a vibrant addition to Buffalo's waterfront.