NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A development that’s been a year in the making is a big step closer to becoming real.

The USA Niagara Development Corporation approved the purchase of 32 Niagara Falls properties for “good use” for just over $35 million.

“There are a lot of sites that are vacant or utilized but oftentimes are often in the hands of developers who have not been able to make a go of them,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster.

The properties that belonged to “Smokin’ Joe” Anderson expand from North Main Street to Fall Street.

Dyster believes these properties could be used to attract developers.

“The list of potential sites to look at just got a lot longer,” he said.

One of those properties is the Quality Inn on First Street, in which businessman and developer Carl Paladino has expressed interest.

Board members said the purchase, made possible by the state’s Buffalo Billion program, is historic.

“I think it’s an enormous, once-in-a-career opportunity,” said Christopher Schoepflin, USAN president.  “It provides a unique and compelling opportunity that when the governor talks about transformational and catalytic, I believe this transaction represents that opportunity.”