Buffalo Rising Online

Good news, but are they going to secure the building now or leave it exposed until next year?

Great news but I will belive it when I see it. ( on all these proposed projects)

This is good news - BUT - I agree with David S - I will believe it when I see it - and I can see this building quite clearly from my front windows.

Let me make this perfectly clear - here and now:

1 - The WVRG wishes to meet with Mr. Paladino to discuss his plans for this building. If it is similar to his other renovations, that is all well and good.

2 - We also wish to be informed of the schedule for renovation.

3 - The previous plans were for 30 units. The neighborhood is chock-full of multiple dwellings. Has there been a population density study? Where are these tenants going to park?

4 -The WVRG will also watch to see if this building, with its revised plans, turns into another tenement. If it does, then we will not stop to assure that the rights of the tenants as well as the residents of this area are ensured and that this is not a rush job to placate the recent rash of attention to this and some of his other vacant buildings.

I communicated with a few of our neighbors and it seems everyone has the same "believe it when I see it" attitude.

I strongly urge Mr. Paladino to contact us to meet and discuss his plans as the architecture firm for the New Era Cap Company has. It shows respect for the residents of the area, the historic fabric of the community, and concern that a strong partnership is formed from the get-go.

Our e-mail is westvillageren@msn.com.

BTW, we will be sending Ellicott Development a letter, return receipt style, requesting a meeting. Just want you folks to know we don't just talk - we walk, as well.

I wonder is the recent posts and stories of this building on BR has helped in any way?

I hear that Palladino doesn't make a move without consulting BR and WVRG.

In fact, I heard that Palladino has not started the renovations on 24 Johnson Park because he was awaiting further instructions from WVRG.

Annie H - that's very funny...

Anyway, I was just ruminatin' - here's what I think transpired -

(1) All the pressure from this blog and many others

(2) The fact that Chris Jacobs is going to run for Senate

(3) New Administration

(4) Carl won the Court St parking lot - was this and his other derelict properties part of the deal?

Rodgers...I think that you've got to at least give some props to Mr. Paladino--as he has delivered some beautifully renovated residential developments ala L.L. Berger...and the Bellasario which also houses Allentown Athletix. He also have a couple of other upscale residential properties--on Delaware near Summer...and one on Franklin and Virgina.

nice as it is Paladino's Bergers reno was heavily subsidized by the government and even at that it took many years to complete. His University club reno was deserves kudos but Buffalo does not need neglected derelict buildings. Lets get these places back in ship shape. Half the problem with downtown is the perception of abandonment and neglect that just a few buildings cause. It is a huge impediment to a complete resurgence of downtown and the city.

Oh.....the toxic pessimism of Buffalo reaks.....

Finally there is movement on an architecturally significant building that would anchor downtown Buffalo to future redevelopment and people are poo-pooing it like it was fresh elephant droppings

Worse....your already thinking about parking issues when there is a parking lot across the street and behind the building...ridiculous! As if Buffalo didnt have enough parking!

Can we give just be thankful that another building is going to be saved and focus our energies on the next priority, like the Central Terminal or the Statler or AM&As.

This building was getting lost by those other higher profile buildings....we should be thankful that it got enough attention to be redeveloped!

Come on Buffalo! Wake up....be thankful! NEXT!!!!!

Lou, until you've lived here and had to deal with the decay of this building and the unlawful acts that decay has attracted, I guess you can be an optimist.

As far as the attention it got, well, there have been multitutdes of discussions regarding this structure. It's about time they were given credance.

"...can't we be thankful..." We certainly will be once Ellicott Development extends their hand to the surrounding community as New Era Cap already has, and that the work has begun, as well. 2007? That provides another winter warring against the structure that is still, alas, un-mothballed.

One thing seems to surface time after time. That is the fact that various owners/developers acquire properties either before they have the funds to secure and rehab them or, at the very least, put plans into motion.

It would seem that these owners are playing monopoly with the surrounding neighborhood's investments of home and family. This is not good and can no longer be tolerated. Read "Vacant Properties: The True Costs to Communities" study. Here are some excerpts:

DECREASED PROPERTY VALUES & TAX REVENUES

Vacant properties reduce city tax revenues in three ways: they are often tax delinquent; their low value means they generate little in taxes; and they depress property values across an entire

neighborhood. Lower property values mean lower tax revenues for local governments. According to Frank Alexander, an Emory University Law Professor with expertise in housing issues, ifailure of cities to collect even two to four percent of property taxes because of

delinquencies and abandonment translates into $3 billion to $6 billion in lost revenues to local governments and school districts annually.i Property taxes remain the single largest source of

tax revenue under local control, so this loss of income is substantial.

PROPERTY VALUES

Vacant properties generate little in taxes n but perhaps more importantly they rob surrounding homes and businesses of their value (see diagram to the left). In a 2001 study, researchers from Philadelphia found that houses within 150 feet of a vacant or abandoned property experienced a net loss of $7,627 in value.

Properties within 150 to 300 feet experienced a loss of

$6,819 and those within 300 to 450 feet experienced a

loss of $3,542.

Philadelphia researchers also found ithat all else being equal, houses on blocks with abandonment sold for $6,715 less than houses on blocks with no abandonment.i

As well, Lou, think of the drain on services - police, fire, safety, and others. Is it any wonder our taxes are sky high in a city that has experienced some of the worst abandonment/vacancy rates in the US? Whether you live in an area that is impacted by structures like this or not - you're paying through the nose, too.

the parking lots around the graystone are not part of the property.

Ditto to expressions we should stay positive and encourage more investment. Isn't that why we're here. We can drive the type/quality of work via code. Let's remember to appreciate those that are trying to make a change AND VILIFY those that do nothing. Focus people!

M Rogers inspired: Perhaps a policy that buildings over a certain sq/ft or whatever must be sold with a performance bond to secure window/roof gaps -- all the no-brainer stuff that could make or break a bldg in one winter season. If the economics of a bond don't make sense for the entire city, then perhaps it is mandatory in "most" zones. Just a thought.

Like Lou says: 'NEXT'. I say: BRING ON the high-profile properties like AM&As.

I don't think it's the least bit cynical to think the current incarnation of this project was spurred by no other factor than the success of Oak Street Lofts. The lease up for Belasario was not bad, but Termini's Oak Street project (around 30 apts) is fully leased in just 2 months. These apartments are not small, and though well done, are not ultra high-end either (all under $1,000/month I believe). I think Ellicott Development's new plans reflect this market reality that more modest (and smaller, hence more) apartments are a sought after commodity right now.

No amount of external motivation will make a developer go forward on a project if the numbers don't work. That said, I hope Ellicott Development does come to the table to share their plans with the neighborhood. At this early stage, this seems like a great project on paper -- but pretty renderings are not enough to get my vote for 'developer of the year'. Let's hope it happens, then we'll talk.

what the hell does Chris Jacobs have to do with this? He is one of those people who was lucky his father was born before him. He is the ONLY Jacobs family member not able to go to The Nichols School beause he was and is a dumb ass. Please people you follow the wrong leaders and then wonder what happened. Get a clue.

David S. FYI Every single loft renovation downtown has been subsidized by the state or city. Ellicot Lofts, Hollling Place very heavily, Elk St Terminal, Cobblestone, etc etc Every single project has been subsidized simply because they dont make financial sense if you do the numbers.

Let me get one thing straight!

All the comments about abandoned properties and their cost to the community are correct and they deserve laws to be re-written and enforced!

Whether through tax abatements, zoning, bonds, low interest loans, etc.....or emminent domain sezures for violations...there are remedies that we need to include in our community revitalization. I GET IT AND I SUPPORT IT!

A suggestion, why not create a community association with binding agreement to supplement local laws...if you want a say in these properties that are abandoned.

In anycase, its ok to say that more needs to be done but lets applaud the positive and end this toxic pessimism which is a dis-incentive for investment.

So, I suppose the suggestions of those that do not live in this area is to continue to sit on one's hands. That is exactly why there are so many abandoned and distressed buildings in Buffalo today.

The WRG has already been instrumental in proposed legislation on a few fronts. Rooming Houses, Nuisance Abatement Laws, and others. We have had many victories due to our proactive approach to issues.

If we were to say "Hey, ain't that nice. Okay, let's let it be and say thank you for your rhetoric.", then the same conditions would exist again and again.

For years preservationists and others have sat back and acted only in case of emergency. (ie: H-O Oats, Vernor Building, and more) The Greystone will not be included in this list any longer.

Why not create a community association? Hmmm, now why didn't we think of that? www.westvillage-buffalo.com and http://wvrg-buffalo.blogspot.com

Nuff said.

yo, hell, i would appreciate your consideration of the rest of us and request you not use foul language, also Chris Jacobs is related to the devloper Paladino, thats why its important in this blog since Paladino probably has to look nice for his in-law to get into the senate, dummy. like when Helfer got all that money from Paladino and lost the election or if your cousin is gay, then you must be its all gulit by association and Paladino probably doesn't want that to happen to Jacobs like it happened to Helfer.

and if you are any example of who is defending this obvious scam then I guess people need to be very wary of the situation. Paladino said they would start in 2007. is that so he can get the building condemned before he has to make good on his promises?

All I see is a few of the same people here who jumped on the grafitti bandwagon but can't see the issue with past records of broken promises and the threats to this building's future.

Where is the balance here? If it's not in your backyard, why question the developer? That's insane. We all have to stick up for one another.

BFLORome, you were particularly irate about the grafitti on Elmwood, calling for police intervention, yet you do not look at the record of the developer regarding this property. Instead you would rather defend him and go against a group of people who have significantly changed their neighborhood for the better.

I support the concerns of the West Village.

anon...If Paladino and Ellicott Development have fallen short here--I'm not defending them. I'm just stating some positives by noting the residential developments he HAS delivered. Look...developers like Mr. Paladino have aquired many city properties--and they can't turn them around all at once. And if you consider 'The Bellesario' (Delaware & Virginia) part of the 'West Village'...he has made a positive contribution. It's easy to be an 'armchair quarterback' and throw barbs at Paladino Ellicott Development...why not reach out and push for a meeting to discuss the vision and needs of your community? Are there/were there any other investors/developers lining up to purchase The Greystone? Where would the building be if Paladino hadn't purchased it? Based on the rehabs he's done on other aforementioned residential developments--there potential is there for something positive to come out of this.

apologies for the typos...long day...

Hi Guys, Long time reader here. This may not be the best place to post this type of comment but I'll post nevertheless. I have been living in Buffalo for two years now - moved here from New York City. I am very interested in developing Buffalo properties, however, I am at a loss when it comes to finding them - short of driving all around town looking for for sale signs. Is there any place that possesses a comprehensive list of properties waiting to be developed. Not originally being from the area puts me at a disadvantage. For instance, I would have loved to take a look at the Webb building.

John, try this website:

http://www.buffaloniagarahomes.com/static/

I believe it links to most of the real estate companies. I'm not sure how extensive the commercial real estate listings are though.

John, there are properties all around the city looking for good developer redemption. I would suggest contacting the various Common Councilmembers regarding properties in their districts.

In addidtion, there are some properties that are either donated or otherwise sold by "quick sale" by family members who have inherited them without the capital or ability to take care of them.

Contact 845-2535 for a listing of donated properties or properties that are for "quick sale."

John, there are a number of houses for sale on Coe Place right next to the new ArtSpace development that should break ground this spring. You could buy a half dozen homes or so as well as several vacant lots on this quaint one block street. It could be redeveloped into an amazing place in this up-and-coming area very close to downtown and the medical corridor.

This area is slated for other development as well (the old Packard Building is one example). There are several posts on this site about Coe Place - call Ryan Pierce (982.6811) for more info. He's the listing agent for three homes and knows about the others available as well. There's a great opportunity here for someone with the right vision and financial backing!