Buffalo Development News

[ECoastTransplant]

One Canalside (Donovan Bldg):

[bayviews]

Originally Posted by fubo

BUFFALO, NY - HSBC Bank, USA has agreed to have PHH Mortgage Corporation manage HSBC's retail mortgage processing and servicing operations.

HSBC sent out a press release Monday morning with the announcement.

There are approximately 1,000 HSBC employees at the Depew facility. 680 service the mortgage business. Of those 680, 200 will be laid off, 400 will have the option to transfer to PHH Mortgage.

Of the 200 employees laid off today will have the option of applying to 104 job openings within PHH company. They will be considered first.

Sad to see yet another big loss for Buffalo.

Most of all for those who may lose their jobs.

[ECoastTransplant]

Originally Posted by bayviews

Sad to see yet another big loss for Buffalo.

Most of all for those who may lose their jobs.

100 < 680

[MarkRP]

Originally Posted by ECoastTransplant

One Canalside (Donovan Bldg):

Keeping it surrounded by parking and vast concrete patios will never make that section look vibrant. They really should have held them to the standard put in place for that block in the first place and built out that first level.

[Buffalomatt1027]

Originally Posted by MarkRP

Keeping it surrounded by parking and vast concrete patios will never make that section look vibrant. They really should have held them to the standard put in place for that block in the first place and built out that first level.

The donovan building is NOT that close to the lake? So why would the images have a nice patio / first level right off the lake? Did i miss something?

Plus they are forgeting about Buffalos beautiful skyway in that picture!

[Buffalomatt1027]

Originally Posted by bayviews

Sad to see yet another big loss for Buffalo.

Most of all for those who may lose their jobs.

400 people have an option to transfer: Thats fine and im assuming most will

the 200 laid off today can be rehired for 104 positions with the company and will be first considered when applying.

So 96 total laidoff isnt horrible! still sad to see though

and What about the HSBC tower jobs though? I think that is the "bigger" issue!

[fubo]

Originally Posted by Buffalomatt1027

The donovan building is NOT that close to the lake? So why would the images have a nice patio / first level right off the lake? Did i miss something?

Plus they are forgeting about Buffalos beautiful skyway in that picture!

My understanding is that the patio will be off of the faux canal (phase 20 which is going out to bd later this summer.

[homestar]

Originally Posted by Buffalomatt1027

The donovan building is NOT that close to the lake? So why would the images have a nice patio / first level right off the lake? Did i miss something?

The rendering just cuts off at the edge of the street... it makes it look a little like it's on a lake but it's just the blank area out of scope for the project.

I'm not sure why they drew it that way with a blank distant horizon instead of showing other buildings across the street.

[bayviews]

Originally Posted by Buffalomatt1027

400 people have an option to transfer: Thats fine and im assuming most will

the 200 laid off today can be rehired for 104 positions with the company and will be first considered when applying.

So 96 total laidoff isnt horrible! still sad to see though

and What about the HSBC tower jobs though? I think that is the "bigger" issue!

Yeah, that's over three thousand jobs in the tower.

Lets hope they stay in Buffalo. Would be a big loss if they left.

[MarkRP]

Originally Posted by homestar

The rendering just cuts off at the edge of the street... it makes it look a little like it's on a lake but it's just the blank area out of scope for the project.

I'm not sure why they drew it that way with a blank distant horizon instead of showing other buildings across the street.

Probably because that is how the developer sees their project, as completely independent of it's surroundings. Which is exactly why they should have been forced to comply to some standards.

[homestar]

Originally Posted by ECoastTransplant

100 < 680

If you were wearing troll-colored glasses like bayviews does, every bit of bad news is hopefully a catastrophe for Buffalo. Pure schadenfreude.

[homestar]

Originally Posted by MarkRP

Probably because that is how the developer sees their project, as completely independent of it's surroundings. Which is exactly why they should have been forced to comply to some standards.

Agree 100%. We spent time and money on the design standards, and they should be followed regardless of which big name developer doesn't agree with them.

[fubo]

Originally Posted by MarkRP

Which is exactly why they should have been forced to comply to some standards.

If it was a new build you would have a point but since they are taking on a project to reuse a building that has sat vacant for years, I don't think letting them use the same building footprint that has been in place for 60 years is a problem at all. Much better IMO than tacking on an obviouls afterthough addition. Not all Plaza'a are empty wastelands. Look at M&T for example. With a hotel, restaurants and outdoor tables as in the rendering this will likely be a much sought after outdoor dining spot for 8 or so months a year

[ECoastTransplant]

Originally Posted by fubo

If it was a new build you would have a point but since they are taking on a project to reuse a building that has sat vacant for years, I don't think letting them use the same building footprint that has been in place for 60 years is a problem at all. Much better IMO than tacking on an obviouls afterthough addition. Not all Plaza'a are empty wastelands. Look at M&T for example. With a hotel, restaurants and outdoor tables as in the rendering this will likely be a much sought after outdoor dining spot for 8 or so months a year

Agreed, and if that area takes off and demand for retail space soars- watch how fast Benderson ditches that plaza to put up a retail addition.

I'd like to know what else is happening in the canalside footprint. Donovan is underway as are the canals. Children's museum is three years out. Webster Block RFP is out. What is next in line? Is Benderson still recruiting retailers for other parcels? Are they still considered master developer for the parcels around the new cobblestone streets down there? I have heard Benderson will be submitting a proposal for Webster Block. This thing is taking forever.

[ECoastTransplant]

The Fenton Village, SW corner of Main and Ferry. 31 apartments and retail space in two rehabbed, historic buildings.





http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/05...ake-shape.html

[MarkRP]

Originally Posted by fubo

If it was a new build you would have a point but since they are taking on a project to reuse a building that has sat vacant for years, I don't think letting them use the same building footprint that has been in place for 60 years is a problem at all. Much better IMO than tacking on an obviouls afterthough addition. Not all Plaza'a are empty wastelands. Look at M&T for example. With a hotel, restaurants and outdoor tables as in the rendering this will likely be a much sought after outdoor dining spot for 8 or so months a year

How long it has been vacant shouldnt dictate what we are willing to settle for. Because now it will be stuck this way for decades, just like how we have been stuck with a ruined shelton square. The M&T plaza is the best plaza we have, and its terrible. They have to force feed a little activity with concerts, and despite being across from a metro rail station, mall, near restaurants, and located on what was formerly one of our best town squares, it is still dead once lunch is over. Take a look at what used to be there, our generation is missing out the opportunity of that intersection.

It is also not a tacked on afterthought. This is what architects are paid to do, and everyone was on board with the idea as recently as 3 years ago:

"This block will feature the Donovan Building, renovated by a private developer, which will be augmented and clad in a style consistent with the Design Guidelines and will be reused to house retail, office, and/or hotel space. The remodeled Donovan Building will have the ground story extended to eliminate most of the setbacks that currently surround the building."
General Project Plan, Land Use Improvement Project. Adopted December 18, 2009"

[fubo]

Originally Posted by MarkRP

Take a look at what used to be there, our generation is missing out the opportunity of that intersection.

What used to be there was a City with an estimated population of 610,000 in 1946 at the end of WWII. What is there now is a City of 258,000. If Shelton Square was still standing it would make the 500 Block look like the Walden Galleria.

Originally Posted by MarkRP

It is also not a tacked on afterthought. This is what architects are paid to do, and everyone was on board with the idea as recently as 3 years ago:

Everyone with no skin in the game was on board with it. It's far different when you have to actually crunch the numbers and make a project work financially. When you have to actually put your money on the line you can only tolerate a certain level of risk. If not you end up like Balling Brothers whose Admiral's Walk drove them out of business. I think a large patio with outside table service will be a huge hit in that area.

[fubo]

Originally Posted by MarkRP

They have to force feed a little activity with concerts, and despite being across from a metro rail station, mall, near restaurants, "

Sounds exactly like what they are doing with Canalside now, yet everyone considers that a success.

[MarkRP]

Originally Posted by fubo

What used to be there was a City with an estimated population of 610,000 in 1946 at the end of WWII. What is there now is a City of 258,000. If Shelton Square was still standing it would make the 500 Block look like the Walden Galleria.

You mean late 1800s early 1900s Buffalo, which built Shelton Square with the same population as modern day Buffalo, or even 1950s erie county which had 100,000 less people than it does today. My preference will always be towards things being done the correct way rather than the desperate way

Originally Posted by fubo

Everyone with no skin in the game was on board with it. It's far different when you have to actually crunch the numbers and make a project work financially. When you have to actually put your money on the line you can only tolerate a certain level of risk. .

Youre right, the ones with money in the project should get a say. So thats how many million in taxpayer money to build the Donovan, and then how many million in taxpayer money to remediate its asbestos a few years ago and mothball it, and then how many million in taxpayer money to demo the Aud and build canals and new roads and wharf to increase the Donovan blocks property value, not to mention a board that created design standards for a reason. Id say we shouldnt have to settle for a developer that sneaks in at the last second with easily correctable design flaws that they were originally not going to make.

Originally Posted by fubo

Sounds exactly like what they are doing with Canalside now, yet everyone considers that a success.

I wouldnt say everyone considers it a success. Its an opportunity. But only if it is done right. Its okay for a city to demand quality, there is no reason to settle.
http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/05...ly-matter.html

[bayviews]

Originally Posted by homestar

If you were wearing troll-colored glasses like bayviews does, every bit of bad news is hopefully a catastrophe for Buffalo. Pure schadenfreude.

Easy to say when someone ELSE loses their jobs.

But when YOU lose a job, well that’s a catastrophe.