Home
The Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus (RITC) will be constructed on the former Tonawanda Coke property, 3875 River Road and 3800 River Road, Tonawanda, in Erie County. Comprised of approximately 140 acres, the site was home to an operating coke facility for more than 100 years prior to closing in October 2018.
Today, the site is being remediated by experienced brownfield developer Jon M. Williams and Honeywell. Williams, President of RITC, completed his acquisition of the property on October 10, 2019, with a long-term vision for the cleanup and redevelopment, putting the site back into productive use. Williams has said, “We are grateful to the many throughout the community who took an active and vested position in the future of this site, and to DEC for its leadership and thoughtful review in determining how best to move forward. Once the site has been cleaned up, it has attributes that support data and technology-focused redevelopment. The investment and job-creation opportunity, in a long-term view, is very achievable.”
The Tonawanda Community Working Group produced a progress report in December 2022 which is posted here and on the Town’s website: https://www.tonawanda.ny.us/development/tonawanda-community-working-group.html
RITC is responsible for investigation, management, and remediation of the 86+ acre brownfield site. Honeywell is responsible for three State Superfund portions of the property.
On February 14, 2020, RITC’s application to conduct the site remediation and restoration under the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC) Brownfield Cleanup Program was accepted by the agency. On August 28, 2024, the NYSDEC issued the Record of Decision defining the remedial actions required to complete the cleanup of the brownfield site.
NYSDEC also announced a new Consent Order under the State Superfund program with Honeywell for three separate sections of the property. A Honeywell predecessor company owned the site prior to 1978. On June 4, 2024, the NYSDEC issued a Record of Decision amendment defining the remedial actions to complete the cleanup of Superfund Site 108.
“I am proud of the lead role DEC took in permanently shuttering Tonawanda Coke to protect the environment and public health of Western New York communities. Now, with the agreements announced today, DEC will ensure the former plant site will be responsibly and aggressively cleaned up under the State’s strict standards so that it can be redeveloped and help contribute to the region’s economy.”
RITC has submitted to the Town of Tonawanda a Site Plan Application and a Full Environmental Assessment Form for redevelopment of a portion of the campus. The proposed facility will act as the anchor tenant attracting both business and academic users, adding jobs and tax revenues for the Town and School District.
The proposed facility is a quiet state-of-the-art data center, not a data miner. This facility will use little water, which will be purchased from the Town. Please see Future Use for Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus
For more information
John P. Black
Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus
571.752.6559
john.black@inventumeng.com
Benjamin McPherson
NYSDEC Project Manager
716.851.7220
benjamin.mcpherson@dec.ny.gov
Victoria Streitfeld
Honeywell
609.218.9460 victoria.streitfeld@wsp.com
Smoke Stack Demolition
On Saturday, June 5, 2021, three century-old masonry, concrete, and steel Tonawanda Coke smoke stacks were demolished.
"Our landscape has changed for the better, and it's a bright new tomorrow for the Town of Tonawanda and the River Road corridor," said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger. "This is an important step, but it's certainly not the last step to get this site redeveloped. Just three short years ago, on this site, this plant was operating."
The demolition was done in accordance with Town of Tonawanda regulations and New York State erosion and sediment control and air monitoring requirements.
