As you may be aware, the City of Buffalo announced plans to redevelop the parking lot at the LaSalle NFTA Metro Station. This is a welcome investment, but it came as a surprise to many residents and community leaders. And, there was not an opportunity for meaningful community engagement before a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued for developer input.
This project represents a significant opportunity for our neighborhood, which struggles to maintain a healthy business district despite plentiful amenities and proximity to the University at Buffalo’s South Campus. UHC is committed to maintaining affordability while promoting development that brings long-term residents who will support local businesses. We need your help to ensure this project benefits University Heights residents, creates a sense of place, and strengthens our existing business district.
We are asking Block Clubs and residents to complete a survey to help us guide development in the University Heights and at the LaSalle NFTA parking lot. Please take a few minutes to help us by responding before July 6. You will notice that the survey asks about the neighborhood generally and it contains a Community Inventory section to guide UHC during the LaSalle process.
- Desired amenities for LaSalle project. Over the past decades, we’ve seen an exodus of small and locally owned businesses from Main St. Share your ideas for how new development can support existing residents, attract new long-term residents, and bring back Main St. Ideas for amenities could include: office space/employers, a shared workspace for neighborhood consultants or small businesses (an affordable local WeWork or Hansa), an expanded Tool Library, a coffee shop, a fitness center or yoga studio, pet store, and a bike repair shop.
- All proposed projects in the University Heights Area — We believe that many projects are moving forward, but not connected. They are proceeding in silos and without community engagement. We need cohesive, not disjointed, development. Projects we know of include: LaSalle Station (NFTA parking lot), Bethune Loft conversion, University Tops Plaza Redevelopment, Build Back Bailey Ave near UB, Shoshone Field House, extension of Rails to Trails south etc. Tell us what we are missing.
- Neighborhood assets. To build from our strengths, we need to know what neighbors love about the Heights. Examples of assets could include: Rails to Trails bike path, grocery stores, healthcare services, Shoshone Park, access to UB South, pocket parks, community gardens, the Tool Library, restaurants, transit access, and residents with unique skills — artists and master gardens. These are only examples.
- Neighborhood liabilities. Every community has challenges, and development should help us solve problems. So what are our ongoing challenges? Examples could include: poorly maintained houses, out-of-town landlords, vacant storefronts, unaddressed quality of life issues (noise, litter, etc), neglect from UB, parking, traffic, noise pollution from the Materion factory at Hertel and Main, or lack of natural space at Shoshone Park.
Please complete and share this survey so UHC can effectively advocate for University Heights residents. If you prefer to respond to the above community inventory questions via email, you can send a message to UHC at info@ourheights.org.
Thank you for your time. I hope you will encourage neighbors to complete the survey by July 6.
Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4YIcRotjDRdeIpeUjXrF38doijhx8tdfLIy9Fg5y8UqpBrw/viewform?usp=sf_link