The restoration of a Rhode Island Street building into a mixed-use development has received a critical financial boost.

The Buffalo Urban Development Corp. agreed to serve as a pass-through agent for a National Grid economic development grant - through its Mainstreet Revitalization initiative - that will help Westside Restoration Inc. underwrite a $300,000 renovation of a property at 476 Rhode Island St.

Westside Restoration wants to renovate the 6,000-square-foot building into a mix of residential units on its upper two floors and commercial space on its first floor.

The project is expected to create between three and five construction jobs and four and eight permanent jobs.

"This fits in nicely with the synergy that's there with two popular restaurants," said Peter Cammarata, Buffalo Urban Development Corp. president.

Prime 490 and Left Bank are both almost directly across the street from the building that Westside Restoration is targeting.

The pass through agreement was unanimously approved Tuesday afternoon by the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. board of directors.