With all of the recent project expansion news on Elmwood and Hertel, there are some people who want to be clear on their stance regarding the sensitive development issues. It’s not that they don’t want o see the supersizing of businesses and commercial footprints, it’s that they would like to know what they are in for early on, instead of playing the guessing and the waiting game. The following is from a BRO reader who lives in North Buffalo. He sent us an email stating his thoughts about the rumored Dash’s expansion:
Per the story on the rumored expansion of the Dash’s on Hetel Avenue. We live in the neighborhood, and a few weeks ago, I had reached out to our Councilmember regarding the rumored possibility of the expansion, as well as the telling activities on that property that your story describes. Worth noting, there are at at least two other structures that have been recently acquired on that block, effectively concentrating ownership of the entire stretch from Starin to Voorhees.
In the email to our Councilmember, we requested information about the potential project, including plans. We have yet to get an update or further information. We are pro-Dash’s, but also very committed to responsible development, reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods and promotive of the quality of life.
Here are three concerns we outlined:
1) Aesthetics: Currently, kitty corner from one another on the Southeast and Northwest corner of that intersection, respectively, is a vacant bank and a vacant restaurant. We have started to see the aluminum facade of Deep South Taco take shape, adding a distinctly commercial vibe to the Southwest corner… The only period-appropriate building at that intersection is the one in question… So then, what is the plan for this building? What might the Hertel/ Starin intersection look like if that building is lost? This intersection serves as a gateway to the North and South Starin neighborhoods. It is heading in a direction counter to the aesthetics of these neighborhoods. And the potential loss of that building threatens an irrevocable transformation of this gateway.
2) Traffic: Dash’s desire / intention has previously been made known. A few years back, the store’s owner made an appeal to use the alley behind the building in question as delivery truck access to the store. With the leadership of active neighbors (and no doubt help from you or folks like you) this was thwarted. But recently, rumors of a parking lot or even small ramp replacing that building have circulated. Add this to the likelihood that removal of the existing structure would accommodate a potential truck access plan moving forward, and this intersection would be dramatically, and for the neighbors impacted, extremely negatively transformed. Imagine exiting and entering trucks and cars just inside the traffic light, either on Starin or Hertel.
3) Broader plan: When we spoke previously, concerned neighbors were looking some insight into and communication regarding a broader urban plan for the stretch of Hertel Avenue between Parkside and Parker. Lexington Co-op, Deep South Taco, two apartment buildings, the fish monger, and the block of buildings on the South side of Hertel near Wallace are all new additions or reuses in this stretch. We’ve also lost the bank and Boss restaurant at the intersection in question, and the building in question is entirely vacant. Progress is good. Development is good. But what is the broader plan? And who even would be the driver of such a plan. At current, the interests of individual business seem to dominate the evolution of this stretch of Hertel. But a holistic, integrated plan is the only way to ensure the community’s best interests are considered in this development.