I hope the City's Real Estate Division is getting the same overhaul the rest of Ecomonic Development is. What a disaster. These are the same jokers who sold the lot next to Plate-O's on Forest then turned around minutes later and paid far more to buy it back for a parking lot. Let's hope the new broom will sweep some new people into those positions.
every morning when i get up, i look at the back of those two buildings, i would dearly love to see them get a re-birth. with the very rapid development of the 700-600-800 blocks of main, it would be a crying shame if these two buildings where to be used as warehouses only. if any of you have seen the progress of "the granite works" you will see how with some care these buildings can shine again. hopefully both owners can work this problem out together. it should in reality not be a problem as john little's lot is large and holds about 12 cars at any given time along with a 2 car garage, since at purchase of said lot it was zoned to hold only 6, by simply looking at the lot, you can see there is plenty of room for the easement, i know john and he is a good guy, being the succesful business man he has been for decades i would assume that he also would like to see the develoment purely for investment purposes as a finished main street will only increase his investment [3 buildings on that corner] 10 fold. of course, in the long run, this "problem" boils down to the stupidy of the old city administation for selling a lot that in all rights should of stayed with the building's.
Obviously John Little needs to understand the value that will be added to his properties if 916 Main is redeveloped.
Renovating the Main Street buildngs will add value to Mr. Little's properties. Then the increased residential population will drink at his bar making him even more money.
The City was ready to let the old Summit distributors buildings be demolished several years ago. At least that did not happen.
I have many fond memories shopping at Summit Distributors (they sold electronic parts). Frank (part owner and counter sales manager) and Ernie were always extremely helpful. After Frank died the business slowly deteriorated.
What about a secondary fireproofed interior stairwell? Or would an egress at the back of the building still be an issue? Just a thought.
egress would still be an issue cynthia, all fire exits are at the back of the buildings onto the parking lot.
Is there an email address that we can send our thoughts to? This is insane! Can you say petty and short-sighted?
It seems to me the City of Buffalo needs to look at putting together some type of Neighborhood Planning Unit for the city in light of all the redevelopment that is going on in the city. The city could use some type of entity that deals with these issues of easement, zoning, rezoning ,new hotels etc. There needs to be some type of process in place to handle these type of problems when they arrise. The NPU format allows the residents of the community to have a voice as to what will or will not be developed in their communities.
The City, on behalf of Mr. Wolbrecht, COULD possibly bring an eminent domain action against the landowner to provide access easement in the case of an emergency. Even though the City is not taking the adjacent landowneris actual land it is taking a right (namely denying access), which most likely could be condemned. Of course such legal proceeding takes time and money and Mr. W. may or may not win such a case. Just an idea.
I don't know any of the parties involved, but I think we in the blogosphere should proceed cautiously with respect to trying to convince Mr. Little and his partners. We don't want another situation like Pano's, where the property owners is so beaten up that he decides to opt out of the process.
I know the situations are not entirely the same, but before we think about lobbying him (unless we know him personally) let's see what the City can do.
Who would be the people to write to so we could get a little public support for the project ???
The building owner should look into the possibility of using a horrizontal exit which is an exist path through a neighboring building. This of course would entail an agreement with the owner of that other building. But, maybe another property owner will be more interested in seeing the neighborhood improve
I find this whole situation shameful and sad.
If these buildings are demolished because of one person it will be a travesty.
Issues like this should be put on a fast track to resolution. Whether it be a rent/or lease for the easement rights or use of emminent domain or other such manner...it must be done and soon.
all valid comments, but in reality we are talking about 5 feet along the back of the building and a 3 foot footpath to n.pearl. and yes we do need to tread carefully as i also would rather not see another "pano's" situation.
Mr. Sack's comment about looking at the BIGGER PICTURE is very important!
It seems that so many times, skewed motivations of individuals (or our own city government!) dictate actions to terrible results.
We must ALL be on the same page of highlighting the good things that BENEFIT the city of Buffalo.
I think the City could step in here and work out a deal with the parties. They are the ones responsible--they sold the property to a private owner. The North Pearl Block Club has written a letter to Richard Tobe, Timothy Wanamaker, and Mayor Brown asking for some constructive action.
John and Wally-world have always tried to keep the upperhand in all thier dealings. Most of their properties were not up to code either structurally or the state sanitary code for the bar you speak of. In fact their last property was just heralded as a development success because they sold it, not kept it (700 block of Main St). *
*Last sentence deleted- WCP
John & Wally own the Cathode Ray, a gay bar in the allentown district and a few other buildings. Im assuming that "Fly by night's" comment was a comment about them and perhaps the gay stereotypes of S&M, bondage....and such.
I certainly hope that John & Wally's business practices dont create ill will towards the gay community or any other community for that matter.
I certainly hope that the price for John & Wally's business practices arent paid for by anyone (gay or straight) living in or patronizing the allentown neighborhood.
Its such a shame that a few people could invite so much harm for a community that has tried so hard to build bridges and gain acceptance.
I really don't think this is a "gay" issue, just a serious problem that needs to be rectified, should it become a "gay" issue, then that just means "little" people got involved. [no pun to john........."little" as in "simple or stupid"]
This is not a gay issue but for those that have been in the "Ray" of late it does smell like a sewer and has for some time which may give a clue about a general lack of concern by the owner(s). It doesn't surprise me. There are a lot of well-intentioned people in upper Allentown but a lot of slugs too. Nevertheless I can't help but think that with the planned Allen Street Push into the medical campus the powers that be can make something happen. Cathode Ray owners have been around since god. Maybe its time for them to step aside and take their rightful place in Tampa. They're old buffalo and apparently think that way too. But maybe they'll surprise us.
North Pearl resident here, just chiming in to to say that this is in NO WAY a gay issue. It's a development issue. The buildings at 918 need a 2nd means of egress or are of little value to development and revitalization. If Mr. Little's livelihood were instead the local bakery, we would still be seeking this consideration from him.
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