Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction for The Nest, a new mixed-use development located at 333 First Street in Niagara Falls. The $39.5 million project is a six-story new build development that will provide 73 new affordable and market rate apartments for individuals and families, including 21 supportive units for survivors of domestic violence, and commercial space for job readiness and workforce development training in downtown Niagara Falls.
“The Nest is a transformative project that will breathe new life into a vacant parcel and bring workforce and market-rate housing, career development opportunities, and a new vibrancy to downtown Niagara Falls,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is proud to create housing opportunities that are affordable, accessible, sustainable, and supportive for all our residents, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The new building, developed by Community Services for Every1 in partnership with Edgemere Development, will be nearly 82,000 square feet and feature 73 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments and will include approximately 4,445 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Of the 70 affordable apartments, eight apartments will be adapted for households with mobility impairments and four will be adapted for households with audio/visual impairments. Recognizing great need in the community, Community Services for Every1 will set aside 21 supportive units for formerly homeless survivors of domestic violence ready to move to permanent housing. Three of the units will be market rate. The building will feature street-level commercial space to contribute to pedestrian activity. Community Services for Every1 will use the commercial space to provide job readiness and workforce development services that will benefit people with disabilities and their families.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is supporting the project through its Federal Low Income Tax Credit Program, which is expected to generate $16 million in equity, HCR’s State Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, which is expected to generate $5 million in equity, and $3.8 million in subsidy. Empire State Development is providing a $1 million grant through USA Niagara Development Corporation and a $320,000 capital grant through the WNY Regional Economic Development Council to support design and construction. Other financial assistance includes $547,500 from the Clean Energy Initiative (CEI), a partnership between HCR and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and $4.5 million from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
In addition, operating funding for the supportive units will be provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, administered through OTDA. The site is also participating in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) successful Brownfield Cleanup Program and, when completed, would be eligible for tax credits administered by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. There is also support from a private equity investor.
The Nest’s design takes its inspiration from the Falls, with a parallel goal in complementing the neighborhood’s existing characteristics, including the adjacent First Presbyterian Church. The ground-story portion of the building will use traditional and natural building materials to match the features of the historical church. The design also incorporates strong visual demarcation features with brick masonry materials on the lower level of the building, terra cotta metal shingles in the middle, and metal panels at the top. This look is intended to be reminiscent of the Falls’ geology. The ground floor is designed to bring the scale of the building down to a human scale, encouraging positive interactions with street-level activity by incorporating high levels of transparency and robust tactile materials, including brick masonry and metal panels with storefront access.
Project amenities will include a community room, central air-conditioning, an on-site rental office, common laundry, an elevator, tenant parking, and green space featuring a playground. The project will incorporate sustainable building practices, which include:
- High performance windows
- Low flow plumbing fixtures
- High performance electric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
- Air sealing and energy recovery ventilation
- High efficiency lighting
- High efficiency appliances
- Low-emitting products
- Rainwater management
- Active solar-ready design
The property was acquired by USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) through the state’s Strategic Land Acquisition Program, aimed at returning long-dormant properties back to productive use. In preparation for the project, USAN demolished an existing vacant 85,000-square-foot, two-story, pre-engineered building on the site.
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