Four developers offer plans for site in North Buffalo
Savarino, Marrano, Natale Builders and a Northern Ireland firm eye 30-acre site
By Sharon Linstedt
Updated: 10/04/07 7:07 AM
The opportunity to turn some 30 acres of idle railroad land into North Buffalo’s newest neighborhood has drawn interest from four would-be developers, including a group from Northern Ireland.
Belfast-based Mayne Developments Ltd., which is hoping to do its first U.S. development, is among those responding to the City of Buffalo’s request for proposals to reinvent the site, located off Main Street behind the Main-LaSalle Metro Rail station. Buffalo attorney Brendan Mehaffy said the Irish developer wants to create new neighborhood that is residential focused, with commercial and recreational twists.
Among the key elements is a minitown center with a village green, said Mehaffy, who is working with the overseas developer.
“They don’t want to create new downtown, but they want the center node to be a place for the community to gather,” Mehaffy said.
The town center would include a four- to five-story residential building with first floor retail/restaurant tenants.
Mayne Developments’ three-scenario, $30 million proposal offers various options for a bike path and other green space, with a mix of single family homes, apartments, condominiums and townhouses.
“One of the hurdles Mayne faces is showing the city it is a legitimate, credible company that can make this project a reality. They have deep experience and are very excited about investing in Buffalo,” Mehaffy said.
The Irish developer has assembled a local team of nearly a dozen engineering, architectural, real estate and financing partners to do the project.
Three veteran local developers also signaled their interest by the city’s Sept. 28 deadline, including Savarino Cos. of Buffalo; Natale Builders of Clarence; and Maranno/Marc Equity of West Seneca.
“It’s wonderful that we’ve gotten four responses,” said Richard Tobe, the city’s commissioner of economic development, inspections and permits. “This site offers a rare opportunity to create a new neighborhood and we were hoping to weigh a variety of ideas on how to do that.”
City planners are seeking a plan for the 30-acre site that incorporates a mix of housing styles, including units for “healthy baby boomers” who want to stay in the area, but are ready to downsize. Other hot buttons for the city are green space, connections to existing streets, and inclusion of a public bike path and walking trail.
Savarino Cos., whose resume includes the just-opened Art- Space lofts on Main Street in Buffalo and a commercial project in the city’s Cobblestone District that will include a highend condominium development, has submitted a multifaceted proposal. The developer’s submission calls for a mix of townhouses, senior housing, single-family dwellings in several price ranges, a community center, soccer field, and a bike/walking path and pocket parks.
“We tried to respond to the city’s interest in making it a neighborhood by incorporating a variety of places to live and play,” said Sam Savarino.
Maranno/Marc Equity, the area’s largest residential developer, took a different approach in its submission, offering up its resume and reputation as a home builder without a specific proposal.
“We didn’t submit a concrete plan because we didn’t feel the 30-day deadline gave us enough time to develop a detailed proposal,” said Maranno/ Marc Equity Vice President Victor Martucci. “We’re hopeful our qualifications and projects demonstrate our ability to deliver a first-class project.”
Maranno/Marc Equity, which specializes in suburban residential developments with homes ranging in price from $100,000 to over $650,000, does have a track record in Buffalo. One of the prime examples of its urban work is located just across Main Street from the 30- acre development site — Main- LaSalle Place, a 31-unit single family home project on former rail land that debuted in 2000.
Natale Builders was the first developer to show interest in the North Buffalo land, more than a year before the city issued requests for proposals. The builder floated a $40 million plan which included a range of home styles and prices for the “Y-shaped” site and has submitted an updated version of that plan as part of the official developer selection process.
The next step in selection of a preferred developer will be a full review of the submitted plans by a five-person panel that includes city planners, a representative of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which owns the lands, and a neighborhood resident. The proposals will be scored based on their potential to meet the city’s development goals.
Tobe, Mayor Byron Brown and others will review the panel’s rating and make a recommendation to the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency board on a final selection. The Buffalo Common Council will also review the decision for designated developer.
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