North Tonawanda Common Council approves resolution seeking county capital support for community center project

North Tonawanda Common Council press release

The North Tonawanda Common Council has approved a resolution sponsored by Third Ward Alderwoman Hilary Roe and Common Council President Gabrielle Richards requesting that Niagara County consider providing $5 million in capital funding toward the creation of a centralized community center for the City of North Tonawanda.

The proposed project would build out and modernize the existing Norman Keller building at 500 Wheatfield St., which currently serves as a public-facing facility and houses the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Niagara County Department of Motor Vehicles office, Niagara County Probation services, and the city’s Community Development Corp.

North Tonawanda currently does not have a single centralized community center. Instead, important services and programs, including senior and youth programming, are divided among separate locations throughout the community. The proposed community center would bring key services together under one roof, creating a more efficient and accessible public hub for residents of all ages.

“This resolution is about asking for a fair reinvestment into one of Niagara County’s largest communities,” Roe said. “North Tonawanda residents and businesses contribute substantially to county operations every year, and this project would directly benefit families, seniors, youth, and the broader public.”

The resolution notes that North Tonawanda residents and businesses generate approximately $14 million in county property taxes and $10 million in sales tax revenue annually in support of Niagara County operations. At the same time, the city maintains its own police, fire, public works, and local infrastructure, with limited direct county-operated infrastructure located within the city.

“This project is not just about creating a building,” Richards said. “It is about creating a long-term community asset that strengthens services and supports collaboration between the city and the county.”

The total estimated project cost is approximately $15-$18 million. The city intends to pursue multiple state and federal funding opportunities, including NY BRICKS, NY Forward, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and other available programs. County participation would help strengthen the city’s ability to compete for those additional funding sources while ensuring that the existing county-related services at the site can be preserved and incorporated into the final project.

Approved unanimously by the Common Council, the resolution has been forwarded to the Niagara County Legislature and Niagara County executive for review and consideration.