The federal government might soon be chipping in to help tear down the former Spaulding Fiber plant. The United States Senate Appropriations Committee has voted to chip in $1.5 million toward the long-awaited demolition.

Demolition of the abandoned plant began last December when the 250 foot chimney came tumbling down. And it was a welcome sight for residents and officials who have waited for fifteen years to have the deteriorating facility removed and remediated.

But demolition is only about one third complete, with several buildings remaining on the forty-plus acre site. According to officials, about five million dollars is still needed to get the job done.

City of Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi said he is encouraged by the Senate committee vote. But he's not sure, if or when the federal money would come through.

The measure must still go through the full congressional process.

Pilozzi said the project has been a priority for him as mayor since he came into office a year and a half ago.

Besides being an eye sore, Pilozzi said the city loses tax revenues while the property sits idle. He said there are four plans for the site's redevelopment currently on the table. Pilozzi said they might use a combination of the plans. But he said it will definitely not harken back to the plant's once proud history.
That vision is inching closer to reality.

State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger represents the City of Tonawanda where the plant is located. He said an application to complete the project with funds from the state "Restore New York Fund" was previously rejected. But Schimminger said he is more confident it will be approved this year by the Spitzer Administration. And Schimminger said approval of the federal funding could help clinch the state grant.

Schimminger and Pilozzi estimate that word on both the federal and state money should come sometime this fall.