Construction will soon commence on a Gateway at Lackawanna project, located in Lackawanna city’s Second Ward neighborhood, New York. The Lackawanna City Council chose the Washington-based developer, Douglas Jemal Development to redevelop the former St. Barbara’s Catholic Church site. Among the three developers who responded to the city’s request for proposal, the Mayor was particularly interested in Douglas.
The Gateway at Lackawanna project will be the first mixed-use development of its kind for almost a generation in the city. Mayor Annette Iafallo, said she had always envisioned bringing Douglas Jemal to Lackawanna to build something similar to his Buffalo projects. Therefore, the City Council unanimously agreed to sell a 1.25-acre portion of the property to the developer.
Also Read Riverside Station mixed-use development coming to Virginia
Development plans for the Gateway at Lackawanna project
The proposed Gateway to Lackawanna project which is estimated at $35 million, will be the developer’s first project in Lackawanna. This development will bring a five-story mixed-use building to the site located at the corner of Ridge Road. The design plan features 160 apartment units, along with 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. In addition, the building will include 30,000 square feet of underground parking space.
Apartments at The Gateway to Lackawanna will be a mix of 115 one-bedroom, 45 two-bedroom, and 10 three-bedroom units. However, all the units will include private and common balconies offering views of South Park and downtown. Although the prices are yet to be revealed, Jemal said the Gateway units would be less expensive than his Buffalo projects.
The mayor said the land for the project was sold at $1 million because Douglas agreed to pay full property taxes. The developer agreed to forgo the property tax incentives and pay $1.19 million when the project is completed. This is inclusive of the school, city, and county property taxes. Now all that’s left for the project to commence, are approval from the city’s planning and zoning boards.
The Gateway at Lackawanna project will commence once the height variations and parking for the design plan are approved. Thereafter, the project would take between 18 to 24 months to reach completion, depending on shortages in the supply chain. The developer expects it to be ready for occupancy by early 2025.
