By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A local developer will be hosting a public meeting in North Buffalo Wednesday night to discuss his plans to develop land near the LaSalle Metro Rail station. But for now, University District Council member Bonnie Russell says she is not taking a position on the project.
Angelo Natale of Natale Builders in Clarence wants to build homes along 30-acres of vacant land in North Buffalo. That property stretches from the back of Shoshone Park near the LaSalle station all the way up to abandoned rail road property at Starin Avenue.
Council member Russell says it is really premature for her to take a stand on the project at this point. She did host a public meeting back in February for residents, and said many spoke out against the proposal. Some citizens say they want to the green space preserved and a bike path built.
But Russell says the property is currently owned by the N-F-T-A, not the City. She says at this point the developer has not even purchased the land. "This is just a great thought. That is all it is at this point. The man has an idea. He hasn't even purchased the property. He is just trying to share what he would like to do. Give him a chance and let him put his presentation out there," said Russell.
Russell says the developer is willing to create a bike path at his own expense. While Russell remains neutral on the project, she does want to make sure that the developer works with residents. "I don't want to see them lose out all together. So if it gets to the point where it may not work out for the residents, it would be nice if they still do the bike path." Russell said she wuold be happy with that.
Russell says in a time when new development is needed in Buffalo, they can not shut out someone who is willing to take a risk on city property.
Meanwhile, The Greenway Group, made up of north Buffalo and University Heights residents is trying to convince the City to acquire the land from the N-F-T-A so $1.4 million in federal funds, allocated for the rail tracks, can be used for a bike path. The group has written a formal request to the Mayor. But Russell says that decision would be "strictly up" to the Brown Administration.