By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A controversial project to expand the Delta Sonic on Main Street in Buffalo is finally complete. It is now part of major redevelopment that continues along mid-town Main Street.
When Delta Sonic announced plans to expand its Main Street operations, some nearby residents were not pleased. But over time,both sides managed to work out issues.
"I understand the neighbors' concerns, and we hope we addressed the bulk of them. And through their encouragement of change, I think we made it a better project than it initially started out to be," said Delta Sonic executive vice president Bob Klein.
Standing along side the state of the art car wash is a new 1920s style building at the corner of Main and Barker. It was designed to offer historic appeal. Inside is an upscale convenience store, featuring groceries, a fresh bakery, and a gourmet eatery with hand-carved sandwiches and a brick oven.
Mayor Anthony Masiello noted that it wasn't an easy project. But now that section of Main Street is seeing a major resurgence.
"Mid-town Main Street, where we are today, is on fire," Masiello said. "There is tremendous investment taking place in this core of Main Street."
Masiello says across the street, the city is planning spring construction of 90 new housing units. The Packard building at Main and Riley was purchased by an out-of- town developer promising 40 housing units and commercial space.
The Mayor credits Delta Sonic for jump starting the new investment in the inner-city.
"We just thought it was critical that we take the first step in trying to trigger other companies to develop this area Main Street," Delta Sonic's Klein said.
The expansion has also generated 40 new jobs. Lisa Wilson of Cheektowaga works in the new deli.
"I love the work and the customers. I have a lot of customer service skills," Wilson said. "I also get to work with the other employees and it is really nice. I love it."
Delta Sonic says it plans to create more new jobs. The company also operates a training center across the street.