The Town of Amherst will receive $31 million for the Boulevard Mall redevelopment project, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

The funding will help transform the mall into a new walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented town center with a variety of residential and retail options, and will also include public gathering space. 

"Today marks a new day for the Boulevard Mall as we take the next step in transforming it into a vibrant, transit-oriented town center," said Gov. Hochul. "Thanks to our investment, this exciting project is moving forward unlocking housing potential, creating jobs, and fostering opportunity in Western New York. The redevelopment of the Boulevard Mall is just one of the many transformative projects helping to boost the local economy and solve our housing crisis, and I applaud Supervisor Kulpa and the Town of Amherst for having this vision to repurpose this under-utilized commercial property to improve the quality of life for Western New Yorkers."

The proposed redevelopment would create at least 1,500 residential units through a mix of affordable, market rate, student and senior housing, and create new jobs and opportunity through the addition of restaurants, retail and open space.    

"The redevelopment of the Boulevard Mall is an exciting project that will create housing, jobs, and a renewed sense of community in Amherst," Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. "In addition, the project reuses and transforms existing infrastructure into an entirely new concept, one that features public spaces, retail and housing in a mix that is conducive to community and walkability. Governor Hochul’s investment will spur this transformation and I thank her for being a partner in building a stronger Erie County."