NJ developer selected for new manufacturing project at Bethlehem Steel site

Posted on Jan 25, 2025 in Press

From Buffalo News

Redeveloped former Bethlehem Steel site continues growth streak with new light-manufacturing project, “FAST NY Shovel Ready” certification, Sucro Sourcing expansion purchase

The Industrial Land Development Corporation (ILDC), which serves as the land development arm of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), announced Wednesday that New Jersey developer J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. will develop a new 24-acre light-manufacturing project at Renaissance Commerce Park (RCP) in Lackawanna. Petrucci will be the first to build on the RCP parcels south of Dona Street Extension, initiating the long-planned “Phase II” expansion of the site.

“We can’t wait to bring our extensive experience in redeveloping brownfield sites to Renaissance Commerce Park. This is a phenomenal opportunity to attract high-quality manufacturers to Erie County and continue turning a once blighted industrial site into a real success story. We want to thank ECIDA for putting their trust in us, and we look forward to delivering a project that they are proud of,” said J.G. Petrucci Company Project Executive Joe Petrucci.

Three developers responded to the ILDC’s May 2024 “Request for Proposals” (RFP) seeking light-manufacturing plans for the parcel. After a months-long detailed staff-and-committee review process, Petrucci’s winning proposal was unanimously approved by the ILDC Board at their January 22 meeting.

“Today is a very exciting day for Erie County. After years of diligent, hard work, we are ushering in redevelopment at the Phase II portion of Renaissance Commerce Park,” said Erie County Executive and ILDC Board Chair Mark C. Poloncarz. “ILDC and Erie County staff and our partners did a great job vetting the RFP respondents, unanimously recommending J.G. Petrucci to the ILDC Board. I was proud to join my fellow board members in approving an agreement with the Petrucci team,” Poloncarz continued. “While new to Western New York, J.G. Petrucci has experience redeveloping the Bethlehem Steel site in Pennsylvania, and we are excited to see them bring their efforts to RCP.”

“We’re excited to welcome J.G. Petrucci to the City of Lackawanna and Renaissance Commerce Park,” said City of Lackawanna Mayor Annette Iafallo. “Their diverse development expertise and successful track record with brownfield projects will be a great addition to the ongoing collective efforts underway to build Renaissance Commerce Park into the region’s premier site for light-manufacturing, warehouse and distribution operations.”

The ILDC purchased the parcels described in the RFP from Tecumseh Redevelopment in late 2021, and after an initial RFP award to Ciminelli Real Estate Corp in 2023 was later released by Ciminelli due to shifted market conditions, the ILDC modified the requirements for the combined parcels and issued a new RFP in May 2024. The new RFP sought only large light-manufacturing projects, or light-manufacturers needing a large industrial parcel that would benefit from RCP’s unique amenities, including rail, port and highway access; New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credits;

Opportunity Zone designation and the potential for lower-cost power. Land speculation projects were not considered. “We are pleased to welcome J.G. Petrucci to Renaissance Commerce Park,” said ECIDA/ILDC President and CEO John Cappellino. “Their stated commitment to RCP is another example of the site’s rising status with light-manufacturing developers. Along with our valued partners TMP Technologies, Welded Tube, Sucro Sourcing, Uniland Development and their tenants Max Advanced Breaks, TQAI and KPM Exceptional, we look forward to Petrucci continuing the momentum of economic growth and job creation at RCP.”

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