Tonawanda council approves bridge and street contracts, schedules direct sale of 20 Seymour Street

The Tonawanda Common Council on Aug. 5 adopted a package of resolutions awarding infrastructure contracts, clearing a city property for direct sale and permitting three community events.

At the meeting the council voted to award the Swing Bridge Overlook improvement contract to McLaughlin Construction Corp. (DBA Bauer Construction) for an amount not to exceed $437,581.50. The award followed a recommendation from City Engineer Jason J. Lomonaco that the contract be made to the bidder; Lomonaco told the council the work should proceed once a notice of award, bonds and insurance are in place and that a full contract could follow in roughly a month.

The council also approved a $46,600 contract with Clark Patterson Lee to provide construction administration and inspection services for the Niagara Street mill, overlay and drainage improvements. Councilmembers Fisher, Milam and Cook recorded 'Aye' votes on the resolutions.

In separate action, the council adopted a resolution authorizing a direct private sale of a city-owned parcel commonly known as 20 Seymour Street, Tonawanda (zip code 14150), to David Sutton, Lucas Salino and James Wenglen or an LLC to be formed, for $83,000. The sale authorization is specifically contingent on the purchasers also buying the former Saint Francis school buildings and developing them into residential units; the council directed publication of the city’s intention and scheduled final action for the Sept. 2, 2025 council meeting.

The council also granted three special-event permits: the Buffalo Trade Emporium trade show (Aug. 17, 2025, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.), New Life Center Church's 'Worship in the Park' (Sept. 5, 2025, 4 p.m.–10 p.m. at the David Miller Bandshell) and the Tonawanda Football Clinic 'TFC Bonfire' (Aug. 21, 2025, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.). Each permit was adopted by roll call and requires that a certificate of insurance naming the City of Tonawanda as additional insured be filed by the applicant by the deadlines stated in each resolution.

What happens next: the council scheduled publication of the direct-sale notice and will revisit the property sale at its Sept. 2 meeting; awardees proceed with insurance and bonding as required before contracts take effect.