WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — After sitting vacant for decades, the site of the former Seneca Mall is on track for redevelopment, with town leaders sharing momentum for the long-awaited transformation.
"We're lucky enough to have grocery already," Martin DelleBovi, Real Estate Director at Benchmark Streamline, said. "We try to bring a representative from all different retail categories into one setting."
The property on Orchard Park Road has become an eyesore. However, DelleBovi, Ralph Lorigo and Carmina Wood Design engineer Chris Wood shared their vision for a new multipurpose complex on Thursday that addresses a long-standing need in the southern region of Western New York.
"Based on the location, based on the infrastructure that's available, and based on the fact that we feel that the southern part of our Western New York area is underserved for new retail development, we felt that it was a location that worked for us," DelleBovi said.
While DelleBovi couldn't confirm any retailers for the location, there was some talk about a Costco coming to the complex earlier in the year.
The West Seneca Chamber of Commerce would not confirm or deny rumors of a Costco coming to town but said a "national discount store" will be built. You can watch the video below or read more here.
The team anticipates that the project will be implemented in three phases, with construction slated to begin in October 2025 and the final phase wrapping up by January 2028.
"56 acres that are shovel-ready to be developed," Lorigo said. "You have all the infrastructure here. You have the 219, the I-90 and the 400 that all converge at this location. It's the perfect location. You have a town that wants to see this all developed."
In addition to new commercial space, the developers also plan to add residential units to the design.
"We're proposing about 500,000 square feet of new commercial space," Wood said. "Again, most of that stuff is in flux until we get the actual tenants."
The Planning Board will send its zoning recommendation to the Town Board, which will then vote on whether the project can move forward. Town Supervisor Gary Dickson told me it is on the agenda for May 12.
