With a few significant projects underway and others at the starting gate, 2008 is shaping up to be a good year for downtown. While national economic storm clouds threaten to rain on Buffalo’s development parade, projects are moving forward. Here are a few questions that could be answered this year:
*Just one downtown rental project is currently underway- nine units at the Benlin warehouse conversion project. After two years of strong residential growth, is the rental market showing signs of cooling-off or is this just a breather until the next wave of projects comes online?
*Will the Allentown Lofts, Birzon, Baker Shoes, 112 Genesee, or the Saturn Rings residential developments move forward? Some have been ‘planned’ for years.
*What’s next for Mark Croce? Will he focus on running his existing restaurants, bars and parking lots or move forward with renovations to 204 Franklin (photo below), the above mentioned Saturn Rings building or the talked about new building on the former M&T parking lot behind Sheas?
*If 2007 was the year of coffee and donuts downtown, are retailers next?
*Is a demolition planned for the Trico building or will UB and the Medical Campus redevelop the existing complex?
*Will a buyer step forward for the Tishman Building? Rumors have been circulating of strong out-of-town interest in the Lafayette Square office building. How about for the two Citicomm parking lots- one behind the Hyatt the other at Main and Swan?
*Eyes will be on Ellicott Development. With strong pre-sales at Waterfront Place, will Ellicott Development announce a second tower in Waterfront Village? Will the firm move forward with a residential project at the Fairmont Dairy building in the Cobblestone District? Can the developer get court approval to move forward with its planned office building at 50 Court Street?
*Which developers will be selected to develop two vacant parcels in Waterfront Village? A decision is expected from the City shortly.
*Will the wrecking ball be taking swings at the Aud and Donovan building? We’ve seen rough plans for Bass Pro and Canalside, can we expect to see a final design in 2008?
*What does the future hold for two historic properties- the Graystone on Johnson Park (below) and city-owned 918 Main Street? Demolition, renovation, façade-ectomy, or more decay?
*Is First Amherst going to take a break from downtown development or will the pioneering firm start work on its 23 North Street property? Is the developer still interested in the vacant Vernor site in the 700 block of Main?
*Can downtown landlords attract suburban or out-of-town office tenants or will we continue to see musical chairs? Is the office market strong enough for Krog to proceed with its planned office building at the foot of Church Street?
*If Century City Lofts proceeds as planned, Signature Development’s plate will be empty. What’s next for the prolific downtown residential developer if anything?
*How much work will BSC Development accomplish at the Statler? Who will operate the planned hotel? Will the developer start marketing condos in the landmark building? Can BSC pre-lease enough space in City Tower to move the project off of the drawing board?
*Will the Seneca Nation proceed with construction on a permanent casino? What will the courts decide on the legality of Indian gaming downtown?
*How quickly will the condos at UniQuest's 200 Delaware project sell? If a run-away success, will other developers follow their lead with mixed-use or condo developments of their own?
*The mammoth AM&A's building remains dark. New Horizon Acquisitions’ idea for a mix of apartments and ground floor retail have not advanced. Will the downstate developer submit reuse plans for the property and start work?
*Will we really see two-way traffic on the 700 block of Main before 2009?
Entry image by markstemp58
