Blue Cardinal Capital, the Buffalo development firm that recently bought 38 parcels of real estate on and near Main Street in Niagara Falls, said this week it will soon look for tenants for some of the most intact buildings.

The company also hired another Buffalo firm, Preservation Studios, to assist with plans to apply for historic preservation tax credits that might help finance the renovation of those buildings.

"There's some of the buildings we're going to start right away, believing we can fill them with tenants," said Bob Richardson, managing partner of Blue Cardinal.

He said he's hoping to find tenants for 10 to 12 buildings soon, without waiting for a ruling on tax credits.

"The Jenss building is a critical one," Richardson said, referring to the former department store at 1708 Main St. "The one I think is the most ready is 1902 (Main)."

That three-story building, directly across the street from the city police and courts building, was once an auto dealership.

Early redevelopment efforts will also focus on a one-time shoe store at 2002 Main, Richardson said.