N. Buffalo site eyed for sr. housing

A vacant and long-empty bowling alley could be the site of a $36 million senior housing project.

The Buffalo Planning Board, at its May 6 meeting, is expected to vote on a proposal by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority that will see the former Amherst Bowling Alley at 47. E. Amherst Street demolished and replaced by a five-story, 220,000-square-foot senior housing complex. The complex would house 200 apartments and may end up replacing the aging Lyndon B. Johnson Apartments at the corner of Main Street and Humboldt Parkway.

The bowling alley has been closed for more than four years and been subject to significant vandalism.

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The planning board, during its meeting Tuesday morning, delayed voting on the project until some final environmental reviews are completed and a series of meetings with neighborhood groups are completed.

"Currently the site is an eyesore," said Masten District Councilman Demone Smith. "It has been abandoned. A lot of neighbors are excited that the property is going to be turned into something."

During its meeting, the planning board:

• Agreed to take lead agency status for a mandated environmental review of the proposed Queen City Landing project along Buffalo's waterfront.

Queen City Landing LLC bought the former Freezer Queen warehouse property along Fuhrmann Boulevard last fall and announced plans to re-develop the six-story, 350,000-square-foot building into an upscale condominium project. Future phases include another 250 condo units and a 250-room hotel.

"This is the first step," said Gerry Buchheit, the Buffalo business leader and lead partner in Queen City Landing LLC.

Buchheit said he'd like to start construction later this year or by next spring.

• Artvoice received the final go-ahead to begin its conversion of the historic Glenny Building on Main Street in downtown Buffalo into its new offices. The project has been in the works for more than four years.
• Basil Used Cars was approved for the company's plans to turn a former Ford dealership on Abbott Road near the Buffalo/Lackawanna municipal border into a lot, anchored by a 6,200-square-foot building.
• Meals on Wheels of WNY Inc. had its plans for a 27,000-square-foot addition to its commissary approved.