Comments on: Clarence First & the Wegmans Proposal at Roll & Transit

By: Tellico

Tellico — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:59:09 +0000

Okay, let’s review. The entire region surrounding Buffalo hasn’t gained a soul in, oh, maybe 30 years. Population has remained at about zero growth. In Buffalo, houses are being torn down because they are abandoned. In Clarence, they can’t build them fast enough. As a result, we spend tax dollars to tear down buildings, and we spend tax dollars to keep widening Transit Road every few years. South of Main Street, how many lanes will it be? We are now up to 30,000 cars PER DAY on Transit Rd. Still, we keep building, even though the region has experienced no real growth. And now we have to build another Wegman’s?

Oh yeah — I see that you are in favor of that walkable mall in Amherst where the gun club used to be. ” These types of developments are popular throughout the country and the closest thing to it we have here is a couple of restaurants and shops at the Walden Galleria that you can access from an exterior sidewalk.”< you say. Of course, that's correct. What you fail to mention is that we USED to have plenty of these types of developments. They used to be called "Delaware Ave" or "Broadway" or "Main St., " or "Elmwood Ave". Except for the last example, we collectively abandoned those walkable streets. then we decide that we need to rebuild them a few miles away — with tax giveaways, easements, and plenty of tax dollars in infrastructure costs.

We need a regional approach to growth in Erie County. Our major shopping corridors should be in the city, not the suburbs. Our major employment centers should be the city, not the suburbs. If you disagree, that's great — but then don't complain about high taxes. When you build millions of dollars in infrastructure and then abandon it in one generation and then build it all over again a few miles out, then abandon THAT in the next generation just to rebuild further out, you really can't complain about sprawl, traffic, congestion or high taxes.

Though, I'm sure many will.

By: Adam K.

Adam K. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:18:04 +0000

tracy – move to newstead.

By: Buffalopundit

Buffalopundit — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:53:50 +0000

More importantly, you don’t move to a neighborhood from where you can see Transit Road and then complain that Transit Road is busy and filled with shopping plazas.

By: tracy casilio

tracy casilio — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:59:42 +0000

Clarence used to be rural and beautiful country, until they developed neighborhoods such as Highland Farms, streets like Kipping dr. Less than 20 years ago the land used to be farmed and filled with wildlife, Longtime residents used to enjoy peaceful space. For years the construction trucks have coming and going, building these very neighborhoods. Transit used to be one lane. With a farmhouse here and there, now there are houses slapped onto the land, one after another, did you care were the wildlife went …. because people wanted to move out here and enjoy the quality of life. Now it is no longer the beautiful land it once was. Highland farms was built over night they have no right to tell others what to build or not.

By: Buffalopundit

Buffalopundit — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:19:20 +0000

I’ve heard the same thing in re: Amherst Gun Club property

By: Adam K.

Adam K. — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:09:35 +0000

For the record, on my last point, I ask because I’ve heard twice from a local RE broker that Nordstrom is poking their nose around area malls and surrounding areas.

By: Adam K.

Adam K. — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:04:52 +0000

If the proposed store was Buffalo’s first Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom, do you think there would be complaints? Serious Question.

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:42:11 +0000

We don’t need another Big Box store on Transit. The current Wegmans is just the right size and an enjoyable shopping experience. Nobody wants to run from one end of a huge store like Walmart to pick up dog food then have to dash all to the other to grab a loaf of bread.
To me the bigger problem is cutting down what little space is still available for wildlife. I have seen so many more foxes roaming backyards at all hours of the day and night. One fox has cubs under a shed next door to our house and I worry about my small dog
Chances are if Wegmans moves down the street then Target will use the space left behind to expand into yet another annoying super store.
Enough is Enough!

By: James

James — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:36:52 +0000

I live within short walking distance of where the proposed store will be located and have received countless mailings about evil Wegmans trying to destroy our beautiful town of Clarence. In the words of Artie Lange: Waaaaaaaahhh!
I’m in favor of this project. It’s not like this is a Walmart. Wegmans stores are attractive, the stores keep well manicured properties, offer high end food, have cafes (in their bigger stores) and according to what I’ve read about this particular store; will be selling wine and liquor. In one of the many fliers I’ve read, one of the complaints is that there will be liquor being sold “dangerously” close to residences and a school. Um.. there is a Consumer’s Beverage that just opened up not too long ago on Transit near Klein and is directly across the street of where this Wegmans would be located. Nobody complained about that. Nice try on that argument folks.

What the people living in the surrounding neighborhood are really worried about is the “unfavorable” people that will be going to the store and the traffic it will bring. Which is the exact same argument people on Maple had with the proposed “Amherst Town Centre”. It’s a lame argument.

Transit in this area is already a nightmare in the morning and afternoon and this will only add to the chaos but like other competent people, I already avoid Transit like the plague and the people who live in the developments affected by this can and do easily avoid it as well. Use Roll and Harris Hill roads. It may add a few minutes on to your daily commute but it’s also avoiding the traffic which is far more nerve racking.

By: kris

kris — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:41:32 +0000

I think Wegman’s should be spending their time & money expanding the Buffalo Amherst St store. To hell with all the suburban white devils. Us city people need massive grocers too!