By Lisa Litzinger
Buffalo, NY – A ground-breaking ceremony was held Wednesday for a 25,000-square foot expansion of the Emerson School of Hospitality downtown.
The new wing will house a gymnasium, library and additional classrooms. Students gain first-hand experience at running a restaurant at what's known as Emerson Commons.
Mayor Anthony Masiello says despite some early concerns, the school has helped in the revitalization of the Chippewa district.
"I will never forget the outcry, 'Oh my God, you can't put students on Chippewa Street, you can't have a restaurant on Chippewa Street. It's going to take business away from the other restaurants!' But what do we have today?" Masiello asked. "We have more restaurants, we have more activity, and we have more investment. And now we have more of an expansion in this particular building, which quite frankly I think is almost totally full today."
The Emerson Hospitality School is believed to be the only vocational program of its kind in the country. The addition, expected to be completed by next summer, will allow the school to admit up to 100 more students.