Grant Street Goodness
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That fateful day set into motion so many micro-projects within the building complex that it is hard to figure out where exactly to start. An adjoining Masonic Temple will be converted into a theatre of sorts, and the original archway entrance on Grant will be un-bricked and transformed back into a grand entryway for the building. Two of the vacant storefronts will be brought back to life in the form of a traditional Italian Café and pizzeria. Another storefront will most likely be a flower shop, and Prish and her husband, Andrea Guiati, and their daughter Nicci, will start the search for two additional pieces to this exciting economic, grassroots puzzle.
Check out the movie to get an initial glimpse at this far-reaching project. As Bob Franke told me, "This is what we've been waiting for. This is the turning point for Grant Street." The project is directly across the street from Guercio's. It's also down the way from a beautiful old neighborhood greenhouse, which is in the process of being restored. It's been a long time since Grant Street has seen such an exciting development, and this influx of shops along with a community meeting-place could be just the beginning. The buildings will be restored, as will the confidence of anyone else who has high hopes for this amazing commercial street.
If you think that you or someone you know might like to explore the possibility of opening a new business on Grant Street... or might possibly want to buy a building and get in on what looks like could be a renaissance of the street, please send an email here.
What Others Have To Say
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Comment Options
Kernwatch
This is truly a promising development for Grant Street. And exciting to see it publicized so quickly. Anybody concerned about the West Side needs to watch this video.
I discovered the new deed yesterday to a local owner, an obvious improvement to the NYCHANA REALTY LLC (from NYC?) who bought the huge complex for merely $132,000 in May, 2004, then dramatically mismanaged it.
Another precaution . . it is important to carefully monitor the virtual invasion of the West Side by "foreign" investor-scammers who now own hundreds of WS properties, most from NYC. Thier intentions are often highly suspect.
Dick Kern
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UrbanBody
Today is a good day. Great news. It appears Ms. Moran and husband are capable (financially) and have the business sense and contacts to make this work. I wish them well. The Grant / Lafayette corner is the most promising intersection in the neighborhood, and Lafayette Ave. going east is in fine shape.
I didn't realize so much was going on near that corner, never noticing the greenhouse rehab and the architect's office.
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RFranke
We are starting to cook here on Grant. We're looking for ethnic restaurants and food markets, a fresh fish shop, and some live music venues. Anyone interested should get in touch with the Grant-Ferry Association (econdev@grant-ferry.org) and we'll do our best to make things happen. Now is the time. Building costs will never be this low.
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HelloKitty
Just what we need-more grant-funded cultural centers for the Buffalo art-conscious audience. Of about 5000. Doomed to failure.
We need to build tourism. The art's ain't cutting it. Let's start with building the commercial. The restaurants, shops and music venues are good ideas. A theater in the middle of nowhere is not.
What we need downtown is a Trader Joes.
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Lucia
This is fabulous news. Grant street is the biggest "diamond in the rough" with the most tremendous untapped potential of any area in this city in my opinion. Some day - you'll see what I mean!
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MisterChips
Hey, HelloKitty, no one is stopping you from buying a building and recruiting the retailer of your choice.
Grant St. is hardly in the "middle of nowhere." It is connected to Elmwood by blocks and blocks of mostly intact residential neighborhoods. Empty lots here and there but no urban prairie anything close to the East side.
I guess you missed this story on WBFO about the arts (note: plurals do NOT have apostrophes) being big business in the Buffalo economy: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbfo/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1101913§ionID=1.
I didn't hear anything in this story about grant funding. Consider the possibility that the owners will compensate performers just like nightclub owners compensate bands.
Sheesh.
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chris69
Your right that the future of Grant Street should be bright but its hounded by three issues: 1) Niagara Street continues to be the image of decay regardless of the few bright spots of Healthnow, Riches, Contract Pharmaceuticals, Squaw Island Park, Erie Barge Canal and the Niagara River. 2) Forest Avenue continues to be the image of decay because of continued neglect from the Richardson 3) Continued neglect and ambivalence from Buffalo State.
Each of which provides an umbrella of disinvestment and decay that continues to keep the increasing development and increasing property values of Delaware and Elmwood from crossing Richmond.
Great things are waiting for Grant Street and Niagara Street but the major neighborhood players need to make commitments to the surrounding community for changes to take root.
Never-the-less....the Richmond-Niagara Street district is still more intact than much of the eastside...and therefore...when the change does come...it will come easier and faster than the eastside.
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westsidemike
Bob Franke has been working endlessly for almost two years on Grant St. This is the first major announcement and it's a huge one.
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MeliQ
Ever since I was a teenager, I had been coming from the suburbs to La Nova's and always thought the Grant/Ferry intersection was great. Little by little it has deteriorated and I'm so happy to hear that it is coming back to like thanks to the vision and passion of local residents. Residents and tourists both LOVE ethnic neighborhoods--NYC has Little Italy, Toronto has TWO Little Italys, this is the perfect place to launch our own diversity 'hood anchored by the Italian influence but incorporating the P. Rican culture, African, Arabic. It would be really unique.
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Sullymon54
I live a block over from grant and drive down it all the time and I think that it good things could happen...but not in the nearest future. The west side business owners association as well as the block clubs in the area, even though they fight the good fight, still has there thoughts rooted in a past that won't come back. What this area needs is a large scale emplpoyment center located in the neighborhood either on grant or niagara. Getting people jobs is the only way to lower the significant crime that still plagues this area. After getting these people gainfully employed, and lowering the crime rate, then this area has great potential but until then i think progress will be slow and spotty.
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icecreamsub
Is it just me or does almost everyone in this neighborhood walk with a limp? Sullymon54 is exactly right.....it will take years for this neighborhood to come around. It still hasn't bottomed out yet like some of the Eastside but if you don't think it will get worse before it gets better just wait until crystal meth goes full blown in this area.
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buffcitygirl
I have been watching the area become so bad, I'm afraid of doing any business there, but still determined enough to not give in to my fears. I've been inside businesses where my car alarms sounds (funny how you know your car's alarm like you'd know your kids cry). I chased an obvious addict away on one occasion, but I refuse to not go somewhere where I knew it used to be vital and alive with good and decent people. Those people still exist there. Emphasis on EXIST. I want them to live again. Thrive again. I will do my part to contribute through patronizing the businesses that open up. There will need to be something done to address the drug culture that has crippled the area over the past 15-20 years, yes, but we have remember, the original builders of the west side dealt with as much. When you think of the years in which this neighborhood was built (1900-1930), they had to overcome a world war and the great depression. Things, I'll wager, were not too pretty then with a booming population in Buffalo. Let's keep our eye on the big picture and the rest will hopefully take care of itself. It'd also be nice to see a low cost store for food such as an Aldi's. They're a neat, clean, well run business and sell quality merchandise that would serve the community of low income and higher income move ins equally. I hope decent low income people will not be squeezed out of their neighborhoods. I know I can no longer afford to move from where I'm currently living because of the renaissance around me. When I lose this place I will be unable to stay in the city I love. The rents have quadrupled in the 15 years I've lived close to W&C Hos. I used to walk down my street and cry for the blight to some big beautiful mansions, and now you couldn't touch a studio in one for less than $650 a month. Mixed blessings.
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Edisonic
A good many people with decent incomes need to discover the excellent late-Victorian homes surrounding Grant Street, and SOON - otherwise, this strip is doomed. It cannot stand many more years of neglenct, as it is now comsprised of the very poor, the very drug-addicted, and the very criminal. The entire length of Grant Street is very near Death By Criminals and Poverty, right now. (I have lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, by the way)
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Biniszkiewicz
This is a welcome development. But I agree it's not going to be an easy, quick transformation. No transitional neighborhood is easy to transform. Still, Grant has a lot of higher income shoppers regularly coming to it. As Mr. Chips notes, Elmwood, Richmond (and money) are not far away.
Anyone else want to get great building at a great price? We have a three story building for sale on Grant near Ferry with great bones. It sits across from the HSBC, next to the restaurant on the corner of Ferry. It's the former D&K. D&K's founder recently died. His estate is motivated to move the properties. Someone could pick up this 20,000 square foot building for a relative song ($125,000 would take it). Got a business? Got some time to invest before you see the neighborhood get trendy again? This place is well situated for the future and is close enough to a number of established businesses that you could make a go of it. Rotundo's, Dibble's, Mr. 2nd, Gercio's, La Nova & Frontier are all local draws you could build off. Who needs a location, cheap? It's got great bones.
By the way, for what it's worth when you check out the neighborhood, much of the block on Ferry where Rotundo's (cleaners, for those not familiar) is located (roughly from Rotundo's to the corner of Parkdale) is actually owned by Gary Rotundo. He will eventually demolish and build a new plaza when business warrants.
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joshking2
This building was home to many different business within the past few years. The new Somalian grocery store began here until they moved into the former Butcher shop late last year. A certain young intern squashed a proposed liquor store in the front (Thalaza's old spot) by examining the liquor license code in NYS. I would love to see the flower shop reopen, the fridge is still there!
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