The Buffalo News: Opinion: RiverBend reaches a milestone, thanks
to its dedicated construction workers
Published:
Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 10:08
In the life of a project such as SolarCity at South Buffalo’s RiverBend complex, there are a few noteworthy dates, but what made the recent ceremony with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo special are the workers.
Truly a credit to those who toiled through one of the coldest winters, the topping off ceremony featured the governor signing a steel beam at the $900 million project along South Park Avenue. It marked the completion of the roof at the factory, a milestone that encloses the structure and allows interior work to go on regardless of the objections of Mother Nature.
Anticipation has surrounded the RiverBend site since plans were unveiled in November 2012 to build a solar panel factory, initially California-based high-efficiency panel maker Silevo. Then SolarCity agreed to buy Silevo and plans expanded significantly.
Momentum has increased. The plant is expected to turn up production during the first part of next year, with full production expected in early 2017.
