BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Erie County has been awarded $30 million in capital grants to promote economic development and improve infrastructure along Transit Road, including redeveloping the Eastern Hills Mall.
According to the governor's office, the infrastructure work along Transit Road will pave the way for plans to redevelop the Eastern Hills Mall into a walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented town center. You can read more about the redevelopment plans in our story from June 2025 here.
'I think it's a great idea': Plans moving forward to transform Eastern Hills Mall into a town center
“We are unlocking the future of economic development along Transit Road as this critical infrastructure investment will help transform the Eastern Hills Mall into a vibrant, mixed-use town center. The redevelopment of the Eastern Hills Mall offers an opportunity to repurpose an underutilized commercial property to boost the local economy, solve our housing crisis, create good-paying jobs, and improve the quality of life for all Western New Yorkers.”
- Governor Kathy Hochul
The following is information shared by the governor's office on the $30 million in infrastructure improvements:
- The County of Erie seeks to promote economic development along the Transit Road commercial corridor, including the redevelopment of the Eastern Hills Mall into a mixed-use town center to include residential, commercial, hospitality and entertainment and recreation uses.
- Expansion of sewer capacity along this corridor has been deemed integral to the overall redevelopment plan. Improvements to wastewater facilities would be conducted in both the Town of Clarence and Amherst.
- The County of Erie has already commissioned a study ($100,000) and provided $3 million for design and engineering. It also secured a $1.6 million commitment from the Towns of Clarence and Amherst.
- This capital grant will expand and improve sewer infrastructure along Transit Road, including the installation of a new sewer line and construction of a new pumping station.
