Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 15th 2007, 12:00am By West Coast Perspective

First Amherst Development is putting the finishing touches on the pioneering Lofts @ Elk Terminal project in the Cobblestone District. With construction on the final 18 luxury lofts nearing completion, the developer has retained Dave Majewski’s Premium Services Inc. to add some green to the food warehouse turned 70-unit loft complex. The horticulture and landscape design firm created and is installing a unique and fully sustainable landscape program on the property.

The work currently underway involves much needed landscaping along Perry Street, planting beds in the front of the residential units, and creation a small park, pet area, walkway, recreational area, and overflow parking lot on the west side of the complex.

Developer Ben Obletz of First Amherst Development as well as general contractor and construction manager Peyton Barlow Co. gave Majewski the freedom to come up with an attractive, functional and fully sustainable landscape plan.

According to Majewski, “This valuable support is certainly non-typical in the commercial development industry in Buffalo. Most times, developers and general contractos simply want the same ol’, same ol’ for the cheapest possible price. There is no room for creativity, research, sustainability, design or planning time.”

The Elk Terminal site posed significant challenges and obstacles pertaining to soil health, layout and plant selection. Prior to redevelopment starting in late-2001, the two-building complex was tired, old, neglected and mostly impervious surface.

Perry Street prior to landscape installation

All of the landscape will use 100 percent sustainable non-synthetic horticulture practices. There is presently a large pile of fungal mix that is “fermenting” on site. This special organic mix will add beneficial fungi and bacteria to the existing soil to mitigate less-then-desirable soil components while increasing fertility and microbial activity.

Plants were selected for their native combinations in our region, their sustainability and for their ability to adapt to the site’s soil conditions. Plants were also chosen for their low-maintenance, seasonal color and interest. Part of the overall design pallet is to include native combined plants as well as a little color, texture, and size variety – but not too much, as is typically the common mistake in designs. A few of the selected plants include:

Salix ‘Red Flame’ – willow

Rhus aromatica ‘Lo-gro’ – sumac

Acer freemanii – maple

Thuja woodwardii – arborvitae

Panicum switch grass – sedum and imperata for aesthetics and sustainability.

“We want something like this to be noticed by the residents of Buffalo as well as be recognized by other developers on how things should be done the right way with little increase in cost,” says Majewski. “We detest seeing the same old crap landscape development at every new Buffalo and suburban project wherever we drive around. It’s ludicrous at times.”

According to Majewski, literally dozens of passers-by have been stopping and asking about this project each day. The last of the pavers and wall stones have been installed and landscape prep and install has started. All work is expected to be completed for a media event and open house for the Elk Terminal complex on June 27.

Premium Services is focused on sustainable and organic landscape/horticulture consulting, design, renovation and hardscape construction. Ninety percent of their clients are downtown residents or business owners including The Mansion, Larkin at Exchange, Gilda’s Club, and the Buffalo Clinical Research Center on Delaware. The firm has also worked with various neighborhood groups to revegetate vacant lots and other streetscape projects.

We'll show you the finished project when it is completed. Or see it for yourself: Elk Terminal is one of the properties participating in the Downtown Housing Tour July 7.

Get Connected: Premium Services Inc., 716-432-2960