The NT Momentum Project
What is it?
About the Project
NT Momentum is a revitalization strategy for a 546-acre study area in North Tonawanda. As a community-driven effort managed by the Lumber City Development Corporation, the project is focused on implementing redevelopment projects that will provide new opportunities for the community to live, work, and play.
Lumber City Development Corporation is managing the project, with funding provided by the New York State Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program (BOA). You can learn more about the BOA program below.
Project Purpose
Why are we doing this?
Vision & Goals
The ultimate long-term goal of the NT Momentum project is to spur redevelopment and revitalization in North Tonawanda, from downtown to the waterfront. Achieving this will require significant effort and collaboration among numerous local and state agencies, property owners, business owners, private sector investors, developers, and members of the community.
Master Plan
The centerpiece of the NT Momentum Project is the Master Plan, which illustrates the vision for future redevelopment in North Tonawanda. In support of the Master Plan, the Lumber City Development Corporation is working on a variety of tasks, reports, and pre-development studies that are critical to bringing the plan to life and making revitalization a reality in North Tonawanda (see Project Elements section below).
Project Elements
Tasks, reports, and pre-development studies
Marketing Materials
Marketing materials will be developed to help attract interest and investment in North Tonawanda.
Transportation Enhancements Plan
A Transportation Enhancements Plan for River Road that identifies improvements needed to accommodate future redevelopment will be developed.
Zoning Code Updates
Zoning Code updates to ensure the City’s code is consistent with future development envisioned in the Master Plan will be completed.
Design Standards
Design standards (including historic design guidelines) to ensure that future development meets the community’s goals for how the community should look and feel will be developed.
Preconstruction Studies
Preconstruction studies to facilitate redevelopment (such as land assembly, engineering assessments, conceptual design, and permitting) will also be conducted.
Environmental Review
NYS Environmental Quality Review will be conducted, including development of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement.
Brownfield Opportunity Areas
What's a BOA?
NYS BOA Program
The State of New York created the three-step Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program in 2003 as the planning component of the NYS Superfund/Brownfield Law (GML Article 18-C, Section 970-r). The purpose of the program is to provide financial and technical assistance to municipalities and community-based organizations for area-wide revitalization strategies impacted by the presence of brownfields and environmental hazards.
Communities that complete the program become a designated BOA, which increases their competitive position for access to funding and incentives under the DEC Brownfield Cleanup Program, the Empire State Development Corporation’s economic development programs, and many other State and Federal assistance opportunities.
Other state and federal programs can work in conjunction with the BOA program, including the DEC Environmental Restoration Program, the DEC Brownfield Cleanup Program, and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Program. These programs focus on physical investigations and activities, which further help local municipalities deal with brownfield properties and their impacts.
Step 1: Pre-Nomination Study
Step 1 includes a basic and preliminary analysis of the area affected by brownfield sites. This step sets the stage for more detailed analyses conducted as part of Step 2.
Step 2: Nomination Study
Step 2 provides an in-depth and thorough description and analysis of existing conditions, opportunities, and reuse potential for properties located in the Brownfield Opportunity Area. This step sets the stage for Step 3, the Implementation phase.
The City of North Tonawanda completed a Step 2 Nomination Study in 2013.
Step 3: Implementation
Step 3 includes a description of the full range of techniques and actions necessary to implement the area-wide plan, ranging from actions and projects that can be undertaken immediately to those that have a longer time-frame.
The NT Momentum project is currently in Step 3 of the BOA program.
Project Team
Roles & Responsibilities
With more than 20 successful NYSDOS BOA Program projects statewide, Bergmann offers in-depth knowledge of how the BOA Program can be customized to each community’s needs. In-house capabilities directly related to this project include urban planning, complex highway and rail design, technology park design, public works facility design, community outreach, brownfield remediation and landscape architecture.
Allieway Marketing—a WBE-certified consultant firm—develops strategic, innovative and customized proposals, presentations and collateral pieces that stand out in highly competitive environments. With nearly 20 years of proven experience in the field of architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C), Allieway brings a wealth of expertise in raising companies to a new level of success.
Camoin Associates has earned a reputation as an authority on public and private sector economic development. We specialize in advising economic development organizations and municipalities in creating data-driven strategies, policies and programs while at the same time, demonstrating how to forge collaborative relationships and build trust among key stakeholders.
Jaeckle Fleischmann is a full service corporate law firm. Our clients include a variety of businesses, not-for-profit entities, municipalities and private individuals achieving success globally, nationally, regionally and locally. Our attorneys have had the honor to serve as counsel on challenging and complex legal transactional and litigation matters. Our mission is to provide strategic legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. We serve clients in such diverse industries as hospitality, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
- Rich Andres | Niagara County Legislator, District 8
- Chris Bauer | Department of State
- Laura Bernsohn | Lumber City Development Corporation
- Amy DaGaetano | Department of State
- Amy Fisk | Niagara County Economic Development
- Joe Fonzi | North Tonawanda Environmental Committee
- Paul Hempel | North Tonawanda Waterfront Commission
- Barb Hughes | Webster’s Bistro
- Angela Johnson-Renda | Chamber of Commerce
- Larry Kuebler | North Tonawanda Waterfront Commission
- Dale Marshall | City Engineer
- Zack McCabe | NT Engineering
- Kevin O’Connor | North Tonawanda Waterfront Commission
- Chuck Proefrock
- Greg Sutton | Department of Environmental Conservation
- Mike Zimmerman | Lumber City Development Corporation
Lumber City Development Corporation (LCDC) is an economic development corporation focused on revitalizing the North Tonawanda community through various programs, projects and activities. We work to strengthen and expand existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and endeavor to bring new business into the City of North Tonawanda in an effort to advance development, create jobs, and increase the property tax base while at the same time preserving city neighborhoods.
Lumber City Development Corporation is managing the project, with funding provided by the New York State Department of State’s BOA Program.
