River Front Auto Sales has taken a step in the right direction with its building at the corner of Niagara and Penfield Streets. The lower bricked-in areas of the building have been removed and replaced with garage doors and windows. I asked one of the workers what the plan was for the building and he told me that the owner would be keeping his nicer cars inside.
The remodel looks a lot better than what existed at this corner before. It remains to be see whether the upper floor will get a similar treatment. I certainly hope so, because the condition of the entire building sends a message to potential car buyers – the better the building looks, “the better he takes care of his cars.”
This initial bit of progress is a good sign for this corner. Most of the independent car sellers on Niagara Street look pretty ragtag and shoddy. For the most part there is no rhyme or reason for showcasing the cars, other than loading them up on sidewalks, in parking lots, and anywhere else they happen to fit. It’s nice to see these guys putting some money into the building and adding a stepped-up aesthetic element to the street. I just hope that the second floor is part of the eventual improvement plan – the building deserves it.
River From Auto Sales is also located on the opposite corner (North East), where it turns into more of a traditional auto lot scene – lots of asphalt, cars, signs, flags and banners. As the future of Niagara Street unfolds (see here) it would be good to see a uniform look for these types of businesses that would include “softening” and “green” measures such as berms, attractive iron gates, etc.