Gates Tower Lawsuit Filed
To the surprise of few, residents of the neighboring Park Lane Condominium have sued over City approvals to construct a 23-story condo tower on Gates Circle. Uniland received permission to construct the luxury building in early October. The News has the maddening details after the jump.
Neighbors Sue to Block Condo Tower
Richard J. Lippes, the Buffalo attorney who represents the condominium owners, said that, for “a number of strong reasons,” an environmental study should have been conducted before action on the plan for the site, next-door to the Park Lane Condominiums.
The 40-page suit reiterates several issues raised by Park Lane residents since Uniland unveiled plans last year for the longtime restaurant property. They claim the building — which would be Buffalo’s tallest residential structure — would block sight lines, sunlight and air flow to their 10-story complex.
The residents also claim the tower’s facade — a mix of bronze and glass panels — would cause “super heating” of their brick building and adjacent parking lot.
The suit also charges the sleek, modern tower would diminish the historic character of their building and the entire neighborhood, which includes the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Chapin Parkway.
“The Park Lane Condominium building is a registered landmark, and the Olmsted parkway system also has historic standing. The scope and architectural style of the Uniland tower are completely out of context with the neighborhood,” Lippes said.
The lawsuit, which seeks to void the site plan approval and bar any construction at the site until a full environmental assessment has been conducted, has been assigned to State Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dillon. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24.
May it be quickly dismissed.
Comment Options
NewBuffalo
ONE word sums this up......IDIOTS.....this is a CLASSIC example of all the BACKWARD thinking people in this area holding Buffalo back from returning to one of the nations greatest cities. Is there anyway we can deport people who think like this?
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11111inBlo
So do you think that every time a new condo building gets built in Toronto that someone from the next door condo sues? Give me a break, if you buy a condo for the view, but it is not near anything taller then 3 stories when you buy, you have to think that it may change some day. Suck it up Park Lane! If you really want a view then buy a New condo in the Gates Tower.
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sbrof
Well what do you expect from America.. we are a sue happy culture. An urban planner who came to Buffalo from Copenhagen said three things that hold Buffalo and other American cities. The first is most relevant here but I will trow in the other two as well.
1. "We have two many lawyers"
2. "We need a university in downtown, look at any prosperous city, in America or the World... They all have them."
3. "You can slowly reduce the number of parking spaces in a downtown, people will find a way to go someplace they want to go to."
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BackfromMaryland
I'm sure that the "super-heating" issue will be at its worst from, say, October to early May during Buffalo's annual heatwave.
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BackfromMaryland
In fact, if this thing gets built and it "super heats" the bricks of Gates Circle, thereby lowering their heating costs for half the year, I'm going to file a suit against National Fuel because it won't be fair.
Perhaps I should also sue because it will change the wind and light patterns on Gates Circle, thereby creating confusion and a greater risk of accidents.
And it's taller than the existing Park Lane building, so if someone falls from it, it will probably result in a greater chance of serious injury or death.
Okay, I'm done. Sarcasm on a Saturday morning. ouch.
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BuffaloBloviator
Perhaps it would fit in better if it looked like a giant brick, like the hospital.
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BackfromMaryland
My guess is, with the amount of money that has been and likely will be spent on litigation, someone could afford to coat the proposed tower with authentic sandstone and Tiffany windows.
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jstraubinger
Super Heated Buildings??? That's right up there with the "exploding rocks" excuse for not being able to restore the Commercial Slip.
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Martin
What a bunch of old fools. These are the people that have held Buffalo back for 30 years and will continue to do so untill they die off ...which with any luck will happen rather quick. People like this and the "mysterious 5" who are holding back downtown development should be exposed for what they are, the self righteous "Old Guard" who look out for their own personal /financial gain and have little or no regard for this dying city.
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MEC
Super Heating? are you kidding me....this lawsuit is absolutely ridiculous and pathetic, if that is all the lawyer could come up those condo owners should ask for refund
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rubygreta
Everyone buying a condo in Manhattan knows that they have no right to a view. So the parking lot across the street could be developed with a 50-story tower that you think is ugly. And that's the way it is. And most new condos in Manhattan have lots of glass. Never heard of the super heating issue. And airflow? You have to be kidding. Buy a $20 fan if you're not getting enough airflow.
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dougk
damn OBSTRUCTIONISTS........can you all say..."NIMBY"?
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MRodgers
Litigation...unbelieveable! How much is Mr. Lippes being paid for his diligence in this lawsuit?
How much is being paid out on this lawsuit, in general?
How could these funds be used more proactively to assure the stabilization and owner accountability of historic properties that are threatened by neglect?
Where are these funds coming from?
Think about it. Again, I say preservation must become more proactive in this city with concentrated efforts by the preservation organizations to save what is truly historic. Instead we see these lawsuits sprinkled here and there without any thought for what needs to be protected before it's too late.
All the money being spent on this 40 page suit could be put to better use, whether from the private coffers of those living in the Park Lane Condos, or other sources.
One of the better known lawsuits using the term superheating was of the elderly woman who spilled McDonald's coffee on herself. Since then, superheating has been both heralded as a way to exterminate certain vermin from buildings (i.e. bedbugs in hotels/hospitals) and also as an environmental issue, most notably referenced to in Al Gore's dissertation on global warming. Superheating can be controlled with certain coatings on the surfaces as well as a release of the unwanted steam.
My question to the residents using this as a facet of the lawsuit is: Will you also sue the other residents of your condo building that have microwave ovens?
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chiknlil
This is Business as Usual in Buffalo, who really cares anymore. They will fight it out in court, make concessions or bag the project. All we can do is look in disgust, until someone proposes a change to our neighborhood, then we line up to do the same thing.
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JohnMarko
Oh brother - ENOUGHT with the FRIVOLOUS lawsuits already!
They have no legal standing - the condo - height, modern design, finishes, siteing - have all been approved by all the governing jurisdictions and complys with all zoneing and building codes. These frustrated, IDIOTS have NOTHING to base their lawsuit on.
Now - as to the issue of "super heating" - it is a real factor and concern - for places like Las Vegas, Honolulu and Phoenix. But the term is not and official term.
Builders of potential new adjacent buildings here in Las Vegas, for example, and in Honolulul, are limited on the type and exposure of the glass in a building will have on the AIR CONDITIONING loads of existing buildings. Certain types of reflective or "mirror" glass are actually prohibited, and studies have to be done to PROVE there will be no adverse impact on adjacent builldings as part of the buildind permit approval process.
That being said - Buffalo has no such codes that I am aware of - and the comment on the effect this will have from October to May is spot on. Ridiculuous.
I hope when they LOSE this lawsuit - the judge makes these IDIOTS pay for the developer's legal expenses in defending himself against this - otherwise lawyers will file many such suits in the future - it cost them NOTHING to do so - like a carpenter working on his own home - they can burden any developer with additional prohibitive expenses that will cause them to not even try due to financial costs...
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SteveP
can we create a petition against these lawsuits? Maybe file a countersuit against these people? This is absolutely ridiculous. Ruins their view? If they don't like it move. I'm so angry I can't even put together a coherent post.
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Crazed_da_Loon
Glass skyscrapers is what killed downtown. The "super heating" that occurs there makes it unbearable to walk down there. It's like the mojave in July!
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sally
Typical - City residents just being City residnts!!!
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Tiburon1724
God forbid the city of Buffalo completes a turnaround, we have to chase all developers out of here so the city continues to die. Then what will the quality of life be like? Idiots.
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flyguy
Wow what a suprise. Thanks alot for thinking about the big picture and being progressive. You know why dont we just enact a moratorium on building in Western New york because development is encroaching on everyones lives even in the urban areas. OMG what a friggin joke this is. How can city residents complain about projects pushing out into the suburbs when your neighbors are promoting this to happen with smart moves like this? I'll tell you another thing its things like this that keep the 500+ thousand Buffalonians away from the area. Do you realize how many Buffalonians there are across this country now living elsewhere? Its like an army out there all over the states and they proudly have Buffalo bumper stickers, university stickers, etc on their vehicles. Many would like to come back but then realize why they are still away. Things like this arent showing ex-Buffalonians that the reason they left has changed and Buffalo is progressing forward again. The same old same old rides again. Yay
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flyguy
For those of you who believe in this "airflow" and sunlight argument have you gone to Manhattan recently? Whats proposed at Gates is tiny in comparison to the dense development and much higher buildings being stacked on one another in Manhattan. We love new development as long as its not near us. If you dont want "urban" development in an urban area then why not pack up and buy a nice 10 acre parcel and put your home right smack dab in the missle so you get non-stop airflow and sunlight? Nobody is forcing you to live in an "urban" environment where high rise development has historically happened.
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flyguy
Hmm I wonder how that Park Lane Condo became a registered landmark just about the time this condo was proposed? Nice move, great foresight for the upcoming lawsuit you knew you would be filing!
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Crazed_da_Loon
High rise buildings are what killed downtown. I recall the "super heating" effect melting the shoes of shoppers back in the 70's. That mixed with the memories of all of those erie canal stones blasting appart from the intense Buffalo weather, is it any wonder people leave this area? I applaud these people for trying to save their neighborhood before they melt in their barcaloungers while watching Judge Judy.
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bradon
I propose that we build this at the corner of South Elmwood and Johnson Park... let's see if Mrogers feels that same way if they built a huge tower on the corner of her little street. The residents of Park Lane have every right to sue over this infringement on their rights. Where in the constitution does it say that we should just bend over and take it up the a** in the name of progress?
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gaustad
Is anyone aware of the fact that the New York Times and the New York Observer BASH BUFFALO on a regular basis; our politics, economy, climate, "uneducated work force" - I can paste the articles if anyone is interested.
As many now realize, my posts are meant to shock people into reality. There are too many people in this city that think there is nothing wrong with it. Although, it can be a convenient and cheap place to live, Buffalo is TOO FAR BEHIND THE CURVE TO EVER CATCH UP.
Simply put, we can not afford to by pass any kind of development!
This is ridiculous.
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bradon
The New York Times and Observer are correct.
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Crazed_da_Loon
Is there a way we can keep these people from melting, though?
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gaustad
Crazed_da_loon what does tha mean?
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al-alo
Crazed, i cant say i always agree w/ u. but man, you kill me!
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buffalogal
I read the suit at the office - came home and had a couple of glasses of wine, read it again and it didn't make any more sense. As my employer is the second respondent in the suit I can't say much more about it ... other than the fact that the city is the first respondent - and I can think of more than one more effective use of our tax dollars. On the other hand I spent four nights this week at community meetings in the city on other proposed projects and with a few exceptions the community responses were considered and supportive. The Gates Circle battle is fought on only one isolatied, albeit noisy, front. It is not a battle of New versus Old Buffalo. One of the meetings this week involved residents of one of the city's most prestigiious addresses and they could not have been more gracious. They asked questions. They care about their neighborhood, but clearly undertstand we share a stake in our city. I drove home smiling. At a meeting on another city project a "New Buffalo" resident flat out said that her support of the project was worth something and asked for a special favor in return. We are blessed with self-centered obstructionists of all ages. But that same morning I had coffee with the legendary Marilyn Rodgers - I can't wait to work with her. Such great, solutions-oriented energy. After a week of 12-14 hour days, I'm tired, but I feel very good where we are and what we as a city can do together. The positive momentum is out there.
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hashma
This is ridiculous, and thats what I hope a judge will think too! This project will move forward because there is enough support for it. There was an article in My View in the Buffalo News a few weeks back by a woman who lives nearby praising the project. Hopefully, more people like her will stand by Uniland with this project. As for Uniland itself, it is promising when you see them continue with plans for the project. When a company still prepares to build, it indicates some confidence in a victory against the lawsuit. We can only hope.
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MRodgers
bradon - what a great idea! I never objected to the new build on Delaware and except for a glare off the windows onto my portico as the sun sets, so I couldn't be happier. Can you imagine the drama of my vintage neighborhood framed by such a marvelous structure? It happens in NYC. And, it might even reduce the winds bringing in the trash and litter from the Chip Strip!
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cdubmoo
OH MY GOD!!! PROGRESS!!! GET ME MY LAWYER SO WE CAN STOP IT!!!!... idiots.
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RPreskop
Bradon, Those idiots in the Park Lane Condo have no legitimate right trying to stop this beautiful, high quality residential tower from being built. It is not their property in the first place and the Gates Circle high-rise is well within all zoning laws and there is absolutely no legitimate need for an environmental impact study. It is backward, narrow-minded thinking by people like you that is hurting Buffalo's chances at successful urban revitalization and reinvestment. This glass tower will greatly enhance the physical cityscape of the surrounding neighborhood. It will not hurt Gates Circle in any way, shape, or form. So this idiotic lawsuit by those senile old biddies in that rundown Park Lane Condo should be thrown out of court with an overwhelming victory for both Uniland and the surrounding community at large. Crazed da Loon, High rise buildings did not kill downtown, that is the most idiotic, baseless statement and you make absolutely no sense. It is the rapid development of suburban shopping malls along with office parks and superhighways combined with America's overdependence on the automobile that killed downtown areas throughout much of the country. Add in the white middle class deep distrust and dislike towards racial and ethnic minorities which helped speed up the disastrous decline of central business districts during the late 1900s.
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al-alo
buffalogal, forget the wine. i drink cheap whiskey and dont sleep.
the result: instant clarity and complete comprehension and absolute appreciation of all that robert moses did, the brilliance of UB amherst, demo of (insert favorite lost building here), and why i struck out after the prom.
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MRodgers
bradon, one more thing about your suggestion - it would bring even more attention to the WV - you are BRILLIANT! What a way to bring more attention to the Johnson Park Restoration Fund!
I am also very enthused about the Dulski rehab and the new tenant there. More folks to jog around the park along with the kids from Hutch-Tech. You should see it, it's fantastic. We have runners from the local hotels, local residents and the students at Hutch here every day. The more the merrier. We even met with folks from Buffalo Place and told them to let the new loft residents know about the running and how we will be implementing a new running track around the park.
Your suggestion fits even better. Buffalo's first park framed by a modern marvel of glass and bronze - what a complement to the oaks, chestnuts and fruit trees - such a color palate. Can you imagine the reflection of the trees, especially in autumn, in the glass and bronze?
Really, I'm not being sarcastic, I love the idea. The best of the old with the panache of the future. Very Metropolitan! Wow....
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RPreskop
It is unnecessary, foolhardy lawsuits like the one filed against Unilands proposed Gates Circle luxury high-rise that continue to give Buffalo a negative image as a city extremely unattractive to new investment and development. It is no wonder why this city continues to decline and deteriorate. This lawsuit is a terrible disgrace and those senile old fools in that Park Lane Condo all should be ashamed of themselves.
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RisingDamp666
Frivolous on its face, this lawsuit only serves to illustrate the kind of predictable response that neighbors have towards any kind of change. Cozy, comfortable decline is what these condo dwellers crave and were it not for the overall quality of the Gates Tower proposal, I would wish them nothing but heaps of it.
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farley13
flyguy and everyone else, there is no final on the National Register nomination. I don't know when they put it in, but it was done by Clinton Brown Company for their client - The Park Lane Homeowner's Association. It has not been finalized and here's the text from the Clinton Brown Company website:
"CBCA prepared a National Register Nomination for the Park Lane Condominiums. The Park Lane Condominium building is located at 33 Gates Circle, at Delaware and Lafayette Avenues, in Buffalo. It was built as The Parke Apartments on the grounds of the former Porter Norton mansion, and overlooks the National Register-listed Frederick Law Olmsted Gates Circle. Designed by the firm of H.L. Stevens and Company in 1924-25, the building is a T-shaped, 10-story brick building with its main entrance located in an enclosed pavilion facing Lafayette Avenue. The original architectural features and elements of the building are intact. The building was listed in the Register in May, 2007. "
But, if you go on the National Register's website, http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ny/Erie/state2.html, you don't find the listing leading one to believe that the nomination has yet to be approved.
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Raphael
farley13, you are right. I looked for it myself and found nothing even before you wrote. It is pretty evident they just placed this order for the nomination and from the quote on the website they probably entered the nomination in May.
buffalogal, I can see from your writing that you work for Uniland? Am I right? If that is the case then it is pretty evident that Uniland really does their homework. Sending an employee to meet with neighborhoods is more than anyone else does. They deserve the respect of us.
MRodgers, you are so yourself and you have the heart of a lion. I love your response to bradon and I know you mean it. I think the building would look pretty good next to your park, too. Much better than the historic building that sits and rots across the street from yours. I guess that is what you meant by proactive preservation.
Why does Mr. Lippes, a well known preservationist in Buffalo, NY, work so hard on this law suit instead of working to save a real historic building like the Gray Stone Hotel? I suppose it is that he is not being paid to do so.
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xosder
IT was built on the former Porter Norton Mansion? Was there a lawsuit from the other neighbors when that came down for the Park Lane Condos? Ruining existing views, messing with air flow, and altering traffic patterns? Does not the local wind blow mainly off the lake from the west or southwest?? Please all attorneys, go away. We don't want or need any of you. This is totally disgusting. We need upscale housing in the City. The more people, the better. Let them provide it. We are turning the corner as a city, yet NIMBY lawsuits keep getting in the way. Why do we let attorneys and judges control every single aspect of our lives. Do we believe they have the appropriate background to decide everything ??? One person is going to decide the fate of this project. This needs to end quickly, but with so many attorneys and courts filled up, we'll have to wait another month.
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RisingDamp666
The Parke Apartments was indeed horribly unwelcome and various and sundry litigation followed its creation. In the end, all parties were agreed that the looming newcomer dissipated enough sunlight that area residents' horses would not be so tarried as to break free of their restraints and gallop into the circle in a path of much feared death and destruction. Gas lamps would also be turned down earlier in the morning so not to illuminate the masonry walls of said apartments and likewise stir calamity.Airflow around the Parke was a major factor in the subsequent decision to locate the Bethlehem Steel Works to a location outside of the Olmstead Tract, in faraway Lackawanna.
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MRodgers
RisingDamp666 - In reading your story above, all I could visualize was Burt Lahr in the Wizard of Oz - hysterical!
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carlmalone
It begs the question: what would Olmstead do in his grave?
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EricOak
It's still a yawn of a pedestrian building, and it's going to go up, so what are you all in such a twit about? This is vintage BRO commentary: breezily sarcastic, prone to insult over argument, generalizing (not everyone in the Park Lane agrees with the suit). And MRodgers--a glass tower on Johnson Park would be a joke. Would you like one at the corner of Allen and Irving too? What is the point of protecting the personality and texture of a neighborhood if it's all just a gumbo? But enough moaning you cranky whiners! The lawsuit will be dismissed! ( I guarantee it!) And you'll get the tall iced glass of boring that will do nothing for Buffalo. What did the two blue Benderson towers do for Buffalo?
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MRodgers
EricOak - not ON Johnson Park - AT Johnson Park and S Elmwood. You see, we also realize we're at the border of a commercial strip, so we can make the best of it. Tell you what, why not have the Chip Strip move to the Circle? I can see it all now..........................................................
As far as Allen and Irving, I don't think there's room for one there.
And, raphael and buffalogal have made some very good points with a full menu of food for thought. While preservationists are coming up with these lawsuits that name the city, thereby wasting taxpayers dollars on frivolus court cases (did anyone else catch that?), they have done nothing to proactively protect historic structures that have been neglected for years. Sure, give me the song and dance that there is too much damage to come up with a real plan - I certainly tire of that one. Why aren't the preservationists demanding that some type of mothballing take place to prevent further damage? Because it doesn't make headlines or income for them? Could be................. Otherwise, where are they on these types of cases? When will they step forward to protect what they have said is within their circle of interest?
The other comment regarding the two Benderson Towers - when were they built? Maybe prior to the new development boon we are now experiencing? Let's look beyond just peripherals here.
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Crazed_da_Loon
So that building will indeed go up and hundreds of good, hard working people will melt in their shoes. Oh the humanity!
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egg
i wonder how many commenting plan to purchase one of these new units; i could see someone intending to purchase one of these new units having something to say. those owning existing, neighboring properties certainly should have something to say. seems that simple.
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HelenWheels
However, dear, good, egg, this development itself provides a forum for all citizens of our city for the simple reason of progress. Therefore, let all who have opinions express them herein or forever be sent to the past of no development or no progress.
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flyguy
I wonder what the founding fathers of the City would think about the hardline resistance to change and new development? If we took this approach back in 1832 there wouldnt be a city here, the Erie Canal wouldnt have terminated at the Buffalo River, Parke Lane Apartments would not have been constructed, etc. Our ancestors buried in Forest Lawn were progressive, they had vision for the future that included thinking big. I'm sure Frederick Law Olmested recognized when he came here that cities were dynamic and changing and as such saw how his contributions to this city would fit into a developing city over many years to come. Somehow we have ended up with a group of deeply entrenched people who fight change at all costs and would rather prefer as someone stated earlier a nice slow decay.
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hodgepodge
Bradon: you're really judge elfvin, right? and, does "protecting the personality and texture of a neighborhood" mean that everything is "ok" with the bogus rite aid, gas stations and empty lots adjoining Gates Circle?
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ntdrew
Some one wants to build something nice and suprise, lawsuit. Damit where never gonna get anywhere with this attitude in Buffalo.
What a great project, I hope the lawsuit gets droped quick!
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Andrew
If I were Uniland I would counter-sue for wasting my time. When I went to the planning board meeting when this was first announced the complaints I heard were a joke; too tall, modern, glassy, ugly, blocks my view, blocks the airflow, think of all the traffic. They brought in a statement from an architect from RHODE ISLAND where he complained it would ruin the circle. The only complaint that they had that was backed up by law was that the building was like 5 feet too close to the street on one side. I think I’m going to be a judge just so I can throw these ridiculous cases out, hopefully keeping them from happening again. Well at least the Sabres won last night
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RPreskop
EricOak, The proposed Gates Circle luxury high-rise is not a boring building and it will be a major positive architectural and aesthetic addition to Buffalo's stagnant city skyline. You are also dead wrong saying that it will do nothing for Buffalo. This high quality residential skyscraper will attract more high income professional people to live in the city and will help create more critical mass for the city's business areas like Elmwood Avenue. More higher income residents equals more critical mass which equals more potential customers with major disposable income for Elmwood and other business streets which could lead to increased demand for more business and help create more job opportunities in the long run.
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vavoom
If the bulding sits to the South east of the park lane it would reflect the northern sky towards the park lane (cool north light).
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BuffChef
View of what? Millard Fillmore?
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RisingDamp666
Would the kindly residents of the Park Lane prefer a 23 story tower that looks exactly like their historical gem? That all new construction in Buffalo be replicative of some past frisson of terra cotta and brick masking a steel skeleton? There was a storied urban 'planner' who would have liked that idea, his name was Joseph Stalin.
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keepdafaith
An interesting tidbit - Lippes teaches a class at UB Law School on how to conduct lawsuits just like this one. Here's a description of the course:
L-913 HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAW – Richard Lippes One credit hour – Block 5 (2/4-2/29) This course will provide students with an understanding of the values that Historic Preservation attempts to achieve, with significant emphasis on the legal techniques available to save historic properties. The Course will provide a survey of the legislative and administrative requirements as they relate to preserving or altering a historic property. Finally, the Course will analyze current problems and issues in Historic Preservation law.
Also interesting is the fact that the judge who will be hearing the case, Kevin Dillon, also teaches a course on Evidence at the law school. Not that that means anything.....
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RisingDamp666
Lippes ought to move his practice to New York's Upper East Side so he can indulge the litigious whims of people like Woody Allen. Why cast your lines in a street puddle when you could be shooting fish in a barrel?
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EricOak
I've always been in favor of a new residential building at the old restaurant site---a beautiful and intelligent building that is worthy of such a site. But putting such an inferior building at such a sensitive site seems witless to me, and it always will. It will be regretted more and more as people wonder why the city with the most unique Olmsted parkway design in the country allowed the squeezing of a boilerplate condo at a nineteenth century circle that could not possibly have been meant to house such an enormous structure.
I would love a subtle and graceful building at this site, but this condo is commonplace in design and ubiquitous all over North America and Asia; you may love it and think its presence will somehow magically affect Buffalo's destiny if you wish, but to assert that this is a special, unique or memorable building is simply wishful thinking or a lowering of standards.
The hyperbole surrounding the effect this building will have on Buffalo's economic and architectural future only distracts us from what will bring real blood and life to our city: the continued promotion of new or growing industries and the careful preservation of the historic and aesthetic textures of our neighborhoods. A new glass cage for 68 residents does neither. It's simply an ordinary building that longs to be in a more receptive site.
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RisingDamp666
Paging STEEL...
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RPreskop
EricOak, The proposed 23 story luxury condo tower is a very beautiful and intelligent building. This residential skyscraper will be aesthetically beautiful and will greatly improve the Gates Circle landscape. You again are wrong for calling this tower a boilerplate condo, nothing can be further from the truth. Gates Circle is a very appropriate and receptive sight for this high quality residential skyscraper. There is nothing wrong or harmful about this project and it fits in perfectly well on Gates Circle. As for architectural standards, this condo tower raises them. It is definately not a lowering of standards or architectural tastes that is for damned sure. If anything we will regret in the long run it is allowing those narrow-minded obstructionist fools in that rundown Park Lane Condo get their wrongful way by killing this outstanding, high quality luxury high-rise project because it does agree to their idiotic, backward standards. I say too damn bad, if they don't like it then they can put their condos up for sale get their money and move out and go live someplace else. Furthermore you are whining that this condo tower is being squeezed into its site. For your information, this 23 story condo tower has a smaller footprint than the current Park Lane Restaurant so it is not being squeezed into its Gates Circle site. This 23 story tower will greatly contribute to the revitalization of Buffalo by bringing in more high income professional people to live in the city which is more critical mass for the city's business areas such as Elmwood. This is new blood and life for Buffalo granted it is only 68 new residents but it is far better than no new residents. Your persistant whining about this building makes absolutely no sense.
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RisingDamp666
...and there you have it, EricOak. NEXT!
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EricOak
Have what? I respect a good argument even whem I'm not persuaded but it. The above is not an argument--it's sophmorish prattle. By the way, the Park Lane building is not really on Gates Circle. It's on Lafayette. The new building has to fit between the Park Lane and the circle on a wedge of land.
Once again--I am all for a new building site--one that fits it: architecturally, in scale, materials, and residential house context. Go to New York and try to put a boilerplate like this up in certain parts of the West Village---Jane St. , Perry St., Bank St. Or try to put a boilerplate condo on 5th Ave. around the Metroplitan Museum. You won't get very far.
But how about a little grace in winning? You know the building is going up and the lawsuit is going nowhere. A little debate won't hurt BRO or the poor new condo. Jeesh, talk about whining!
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sally
Gates circle ain't the West Village Einstein!
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sally
Go east 5 blocks and you're in the ghetto for crying out loud!
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Andrew
Not everything east of Main St. is "ghetto"
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sally
no it's not but the area to the immediate east of Gates Circle IS!!!
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EricOak
What does that have to with anything?
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Andrew
East of Gates Circle is Florida St. Flordia St in Hamlin Park is not ghetto nor is the rest of that district.
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orlanmon
This lawsuit is simply ridiculous, Buffalo needs more upscale housing and look what it has to contend with, I hope the judge throws this rubbish out.
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Jefferson
Maybe Mr. Lippes has to file so many lawsuits a year to keep his position at UB Law School?
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tonyarmani
Once again EricOak and the anti development liberals will stop at nothing to make sure no progress happens in the city of Buffalo, NY. New jobs and new money (and thereby your kids being able to live in the same area that you grew up in) come only so often, and the libs stand hand in hand, hippie clothing and all, to keep new investment out. After a while companies won't try any more and look to other cities that are much more business friendly. If I didn't have a job and needed money to eat, I'd work at McDonalds...keep that in mind
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Quinn
Now, now xosder, let's not bash all attorneys. Like they say, everybody bashes attorneys until they need one. As I tell clients quite often "it all comes out in the wash". If this case is frivolous, it will get thrown out. That’s just the way the system works.
And the good news is it likely will create a strong precedent that will be difficult to overcome. Meaning, the next time someone tries to bring a lawsuit in Buffalo based on the ‘superheating’ argument, it will be even harder for them to be heard over the laughter.
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SLEEPL8
F@#kin Dick Lippes!
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mjman4
Absolutely pitiful
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MikeJW
I'm 27 and live in the city. I want nothing more than to see projects like this help turn the city around. Can we get a few Greyhounds and ship these geriatrics and their lawyer down to Florida already? Stop trying to hold this c