The Tonawanda Town Board on Monday selected Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers to assist the town in updating zoning regulations governing development along the town's Niagara Riverfront.

Wendel Duchscherer will serve as a consultant by preparing plans for taking a "fresh look" at the zoning in the existing riverfront residential, industrial and related areas of the town in an effort to attract development, Councilman Raymond Sinclair said.

The nearly $30,000 project is expected to begin in January and be completed for presentation to the town by June 2002, Sinclair said.

Changes in the town's non-homestead tax rates and designation as a New York State Empire Zone have generated new momentum for private investment throughout the area, including at several brownfield sites.

A study funded by private companies in the riverfront area also identified opportunities for investment in vacant or underutilized properties, officials said.

"Wendel Duchscherer brings a wealth of experience in guiding communities through waterfront projects," said George Melrose, chairman of the town's Planning Board.

Sinclair said community members will have opportunities to present comments about the plan during the process. He said he is optimistic that the town will be able to refurbish and redevelop its riverfront area, which has been plagued over the decades by land contaminated by materials processed for the Manhattan Project in World War II.

"These properties . . . fit the profile of sites that the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and Empire State Development Corp. will use to attract new investment to our region," Sinclair said. "We want to be in a position to take advantage of this new momentum."

e-mail: tpignataro@buffnews.com

Copyright © 1999 - 2001 The Buffalo NewsTM

(Emphasis by Don)