First Amherst Development has dusted off plans for a residential development in the 700 block of Main Street according to today’s Business First. The pioneering downtown developer is again attempting to purchase the long-negelected Vernor Building (above) and the vacant lot that once housed the Teck Theater. Both properties, across from The Sidway apartments, are owned by Cleveland-based ‘developer’ Shifrin Enterprises.
The Vernor Building at 752 Main Street was built in 1903 as a showroom for Pierce-Arrow automobiles. Redevelopment plans for the long-vacant building have come and gone for the past twenty years. Shifrin, convicted in Buffalo Housing Court for allowing the building to decay, has made no attempt to shore up the building.
First Amherst is planning a phased development with a mix of approximately 100 apartments and condominiums. Work could start next year. The developer’s nearby Granite Works’ 28 apartments are almost fully-leased. Ground floor commercial space is unspoken for, but has been drawing heavy interest.
Get Connected: First Amherst Development: 839-1400