There may soon be an outlet mall near the Seneca Nation of Indians' Cattaraugus reservation.
The Senecas today released the results of a retail feasibility study for a mall in the Town of Hanover, with easy access to Thruway exit 58. It would lead to sales tax benefits for Chautauqua County and New York State.
The report was announced by Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter, Seneca Council President Richard Nephew, and Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards.
The study indicates that the best location for the $50 million project would be on non-Indian land and characterizes the plan as a way for the Senecas to diversify beyond tobacco and gasoline sales and its gaming facilities.
The site is currently owned by the Seneca Gaming Corporation and covers 108 acres. If completed, the mall would create 750 retail jobs, plus 250 workers during construction. It would cover 400,000 square feet. That compares to the size of the Fashion Outlets mall in the Town of Niagara, which is 526,000 square feet.
Nephew, who is running for the Seneca presidency, said construction of the outlet mall would be a top priority of his administration if he is elected in November.
