Buffalo Rising Online

Apr 23rd 2008, 4:39pm By Anthony Swinnich

Mayor Byron Brown paid a visit today to Sonwil Distribution Centers, Inc's future waterfront location. The 300,000 sq. ft. distribution center will be located at Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park and will employ about 215 people when it is expected to open in June.

“I am extremely pleased by the commitment of Sandy and Peter Wilson to Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park and the City of Buffalo,” Mayor Brown said. “I am further encouraged that my economic development strategy of accelerating the preparation of shovel ready sites is paying early dividends and establishing a strong foundation for the future prosperity of both Sonwil and the City of Buffalo, especially in former brownfield locations like the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park.”

New York State has committed $5 million to expanding Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park, which will be partially used for extending the access road and utility infrastructure. Road construction started in February and is estimated to be 30% completed. Also, National Grid will relocate several high-voltage transmission lines to run along Fuhrmann Blvd. for use by St. Lawrence Cement and hopeful future development in the Outer Harbor.

The new Sonwil building was designed by Silvestri Architects, and will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified when finished. The site was obtained by The Buffalo Urban Development Corporation from CSX railroad and the MBBA (Sherland Incorporated). The project was announced in September 2007. Sonwil expects to build a second facility of comparable size adjacent to the one currently being built within the next 3 years if the company's current pace of growth continues.

“We are pleased to be part of the renaissance of the City of Buffalo and partners with the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation,” said Sandy Wilson, President, Sonwil Distribution Centers, Inc. “Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park’s strategic location, transportation infrastructure and sustainable design will help us serve our clients well.”

It is believed that Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park will result in 188 acres of land spanning 17 sites ripe for development when completed. This includes the creation of over 20 acres of waterfront green space around the Union Ship Canal, and the preservation of more than 23 acres of freshwater wetlands.