Buffalo Development News

[fubo]

I think a good location for a studio would be on the first floor of the Tishman hotel overlooking Main and the Square

[ECoastTransplant]

Originally Posted by fubo

I think a good location for a studio would be on the first floor of the Tishman hotel overlooking Main and the Square

YNN was looking at Iskalo's 5 E. Huron building a while ago. Their plan was to use it as a studio for a morning show. The building is still empty.

[homestar]

I always wished the WGRZ studio would do something more exciting with their street view... a viewable studio from the street or even a digital ticker that had real news. Their location is right along Delaware near Chippewa so it has the most potential for pedestrian views.

[homestar]

"The board will also look at plans to change the landscape of the street by narrowing Main Street’s lanes, creating a pocket park between Village Hall and the Williamsville Library, establishing a presence at the gateways to the village and planting more trees."

Originally Posted by JSmith

Does Williamsville have the authority to make these changes? I was under the impression that Main Street falls under the authority of the NYS DOT, which will probably neuter any significant traffic-calming proposals.

Comment in today's news:

"Mayor Brian Kulpa told The News he knows there’s no way to “unwiden” Main Street from the improvements made in the 1990s – but he and others are determined to make it more physically attractive to walkers."

OK so first they say they're going to narrow the lanes. Now they say they can't be "unwidened". That makes no sense. So I'm guessing not much is really going to change with the lanes...

BTW, were those lanes really widened as recently as the 90's? If that's true, what a dumb move. Williamsville should have fought harder against it.

[ScanTron]

Some construction is finally happening at the delaware/Virginia site. Looked like foundation work was taking place.

http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/07...ster-site.html

[homestar]

Good to hear! I thought I saw something there last night but it was too dark to be sure. Was there an updated rendering?

[ScanTron]

I didn't see, but I'm glad they redesigned it. I was not a fan of that 70's throwback bunker 'modern' design. Should add a lot to that streetscape, not to mention more residential.

[fubo]

Cuomo to Veto Historical Tax Credit Bill


A measure to expand tax credits to encourage development of historic properties in Buffalo and other cities and villages will be vetoed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Buffalo News on Wednesday evening that the governor will veto the bill that both houses passed last June and that was a major goal of downtown Buffalo developers.

The Senate sponsor of the measure, Sen. Mark Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican, said this week in an interview that he was less optimistic about the bill’s chances because of the fiscal hit on the state by Superstorm Sandy. But an administration source said the veto is not directly about the bill’s costs.

“While the governor is supportive of expanding the tax credit and the goals of the bill, it’s something he’d like to see addressed during the budget process next year rather than outside,” the official said.

The bill was approved three months after the 2012 state budget was approved. State budget officials estimated the higher tax-credit measure would cost the state $20 million in tax revenues in the upcoming fiscal year and $80 million over the following two years.

The measure would raise the current $5 million tax credit for certain historic rehabilitation projects to $12 million – a level that developers in Buffalo and elsewhere feel would encourage rehabilitation of larger residential, office and mixed-used projects. The existing tax credit program, due to expire in 2014, has been used on such projects as the rehabilitation of the Hotel @ the Lafayette downtown.

Grisanti had said he believed the bill would be revenue- neutral for the state because of additional income and sales taxes generated by construction activities.

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs...121219686/1002

[sin|ill]

Originally Posted by fubo

Cuomo to Veto Historical Tax Credit Bill

so its on hold till next year's budget?

good podcast about how changing the taxes around land use can spark new development in old downtowns:

http://www.strongtowns.org/strong-to...minicozzi.html

[homestar]

"While the governor is supportive of expanding the tax credit and the goals of the bill, it’s something he’d like to see addressed during the budget process next year rather than outside,”

That statement doesn't make much sense unless he plans to improve the bill next year. Otherwise what's the point in delay.

[Buffalomatt1027]

Originally Posted by fubo

Cuomo to Veto Historical Tax Credit Bill


A measure to expand tax credits to encourage development of historic properties in Buffalo and other cities and villages will be vetoed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Buffalo News on Wednesday evening that the governor will veto the bill that both houses passed last June and that was a major goal of downtown Buffalo developers.

The Senate sponsor of the measure, Sen. Mark Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican, said this week in an interview that he was less optimistic about the bill’s chances because of the fiscal hit on the state by Superstorm Sandy. But an administration source said the veto is not directly about the bill’s costs.

“While the governor is supportive of expanding the tax credit and the goals of the bill, it’s something he’d like to see addressed during the budget process next year rather than outside,” the official said.

The bill was approved three months after the 2012 state budget was approved. State budget officials estimated the higher tax-credit measure would cost the state $20 million in tax revenues in the upcoming fiscal year and $80 million over the following two years.

The measure would raise the current $5 million tax credit for certain historic rehabilitation projects to $12 million – a level that developers in Buffalo and elsewhere feel would encourage rehabilitation of larger residential, office and mixed-used projects. The existing tax credit program, due to expire in 2014, has been used on such projects as the rehabilitation of the Hotel @ the Lafayette downtown.

Grisanti had said he believed the bill would be revenue- neutral for the state because of additional income and sales taxes generated by construction activities.

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs...121219686/1002

I think we figured that this was going to happen ..... but DANNNGIT! Its too bad this happened.

[fubo]

Originally Posted by Buffalomatt1027

I think we figured that this was going to happen ..... but DANNNGIT! Its too bad this happened.

It's a real shame. This would have had more impact PER DOLLAR cost to the government than the billion to Buffalo will have. Plus it would benefit other badly hurting upstate cities such as Rochester as well. A very bad case of penny wise and pound foolish.

[Numminen27]

Originally Posted by fubo

It's a real shame. This would have had more impact PER DOLLAR cost to the government than the billion to Buffalo will have. Plus it would benefit other badly hurting upstate cities such as Rochester as well. A very bad case of penny wise and pound foolish.

Disappointing, but I guess I understand. Lots of pressure in Albany to stop spending more than we take in. I actually am very pleased with Gov. Cuomo, something I would've never thought to say a few years ago. I really do wish it would be passed, along with the rest of us. It would really give Buffalo a boost. Although interesting point at the end of the article in Buffalo Rising that may give it some hope after all.........

[Numminen27]

Wow, One Canalside is making some great progress! Very good to see. Can't wait for the camera angles of the First Niagara Center to include this building, HarborCenter and Canalside on national TV when the Sabres play (if ever)

Courtesy of Brian Higgins' Flickr page from November 27th
http://www.flickr.com/photos/repbria...ream/lightbox/

[fubo]

Awesome news on the job front today. GM announced it will be adding 500 jobs to the payroll of the Tonawanda Engine Plant. 200 of them by next June.

Geico meanwhile announced the hiring of 4,000 nationwide with hundreds of new hires slated for their Getzville site.


AMHERST, NY. (WIVB) - There is good news for job seekers, as a national company looks to hire more associates in western New York.

Geico is hiring 4,000 new associates in 2013 and Hiring Manager Carl Camardo says the biggest piece of that number is going to be in their Getzville office.

The company will host numerous training classes starting in January and February in claims, customer service and sales, and applications are now being accepted.

Job seekers can learn more information from Geico’s website.

[fubo]

When Iskalo Development Corp. acquired the Lord Amherst Hotel last year, the company pledged to give the venerable Town of Amherst facility a complete makeover.

While Iskalo did some preliminary work on the 100-room Main Street hotel in the past year, the development company is now ramping up for a complete facelift of the 52-year-old building. Iskalo is seeking incentives and abatements from the Amherst Industrial Development Agency for its planned $9.8 million renovation. The IDA will consider the request when it meets on Dec. 21.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...&ed=2012-12-13

[homestar]

Building owners on HSBC Tower:

... "Everything is on the table" [condos, hotel, conf center, restaurant...]

Whatever happens will occur over a period of time. Given the amount of space to be renovated, Fitzmaurice said he views One HSBC Center’s future on a long-term basis, not in the short term.

The building is being renamed and rebranded. The HSBC moniker will come off when the bank lease expires. New names are being considered.

“It’s all part of our view as this is a new beginning, not an end,” Fitzmaurice said. “If we do this right, it could be great for the entire community.”

[Buffalomatt1027]

Originally Posted by fubo

When Iskalo Development Corp. acquired the Lord Amherst Hotel last year, the company pledged to give the venerable Town of Amherst facility a complete makeover.

While Iskalo did some preliminary work on the 100-room Main Street hotel in the past year, the development company is now ramping up for a complete facelift of the 52-year-old building. Iskalo is seeking incentives and abatements from the Amherst Industrial Development Agency for its planned $9.8 million renovation. The IDA will consider the request when it meets on Dec. 21.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...&ed=2012-12-13

I live in Williamsville / Amherst and I find it fascinating that the hotels on main street in Williamsille are so popular! The Hampton inn always is booked or close to it ..... a nice hotel is being built less then a mile from the hampton in and now this news today also adding another 6 story hotel right next to the Lord Amherst hotel.

Anybody know or understand why?

[fubo]

Located near an exit of a major interstate in the State's second largest metro. A metro with hotel occupancy rates significantly above the national average. A metro that has about 3,000 fewer hotel rooms than other similarly sized metros in the US. Add it up and you have a market ripe for new properties. Most metros Buffalo's size have at least 4 or 5 500+ room hotels, we have none, and we only have 3 hotels with more thsn 400 rooms.

[Buffaboy]

Originally Posted by fubo

Located near an exit of a major interstate in the State's second largest metro. A metro with hotel occupancy rates significantly above the national average. A metro that has about 3,000 fewer hotel rooms than other similarly sized metros in the US. Add it up and you have a market ripe for new properties. Most metros Buffalo's size have at least 4 or 5 500+ room hotels, we have none, and we only have 3 hotels with more thsn 400 rooms.

Stick a couple hotel towers downtown off the one ninety and problem solved. Although this is $$$.