Construction Watch: Baker's Shoes Gets Some Glass

If you are seriously asking what has Ellicott development done for downtown...you're not worth the keystrokes. I would suggest gaining some perspective on just how emaciated the development environment is for Buffalo and WNY as a whole. Developers like to make money. They have to make money. They do not do projects where they lose money.

This is why Mark Croce is NOT doing anything with the Curtis building and odds are never will in our lifetimes. It is also why Mark needs money for the Statler, because without that $5m, the Statler would have remained empty for a very long time.

If you do not think Croce has the $5M locked up before he purchased the building, or pretty dame close to having it locked up, you are a bit naive as to how things work.

As for the Parole Offices and Drug Addiction centers...just where do you suggest them going? Offer a solution with your critique. Just where should they go? How about your neighborhood? How about on your street?

If you had any perspective, you would know that things like Parole Offices are located in downtown cores and close to the courts. The reason is the same reason why other services are located in downtown cores....they need to be close to public transportation hubs and have access to other government agencies.

So if not the Ellicott structure...just where in Downtown Buffalo do you suggest it going?

No. Croce getting into the game is a good thing. But in regards to "BIG PROJECTS" he abandoned one before he really started...only to pick up another that needs MASSIVE amounts of public money to get only a portion done.

As for the Creamery and Greystone...are you suggesting that people would never say a word about them if they were properly enclosed from the elements? Is that all it takes to get a pass?

Speaking of the Greystone, as it relates to the Curtis... People continue to suggest that Ellicott should transfer the building to someone who will do something with it. Why do people not say the same for the Curtis? The reason is...Croce is not going to give up that structure because someone else could come in and complete the vision...which in turn would create competition to the Statler. So what is going to happen is the Curtis is going to sit vacant until...well...it makes financial sense to Mark to do something with it.

This line of thinking is the same that Termini and Carl uses...hell it is what every developer uses. But depending on the PERSONALITY of the developer, people either choose to bash or look the other way.

As for the Continental, it is a parking lot and until something is started on it...IT IS A PARKING LOT. Would you like to see the plans for the other parking lots in Buffalo. Is that all it takes to get people to not complain about demolishing a building to a parking lot? Show some plans?

I am not trying to be argumentative and simply pointing out that people do not grade developers on the same criteria.

People, like yourself, mention the Creamery or Greystone but give a pass on the Curtis and AM&A's. Why is that?

I love Termini and he has done some outstanding work in Buffalo...but how long has he been sitting on the AM&A's complex? Last I read, while be closed off to the elements the internal structures where in serious trouble. So again, is placing plywood in the windows all that is needed?