Town of Niagara residents will have their first chance Tuesday to ask questions about a 146,000-square-foot shopping plaza proposed for Military Road.
The plaza, which will be anchored by a yet-to-be-announced national retailer, will be located on property owned by Benderson Development Co. across from the Fashion Outlets mall. Town board members will consider a request to rezone a portion of the land needed to move the project forward at their meeting Tuesday, but not before a public hearing is held.
The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. inside Town Hall, 7105 Lockport Road.
Supervisor Steven Richards said he’s received a few calls from concerned residents since plans for the proposed “Military Place” plaza were unveiled by Benderson last month. However, he doesn’t think there will be as much opposition as there’s been for the Super Wal-Mart going in down the road.
That project was been delayed for more than two years because of legal action brought forth by a group of residents concerned the store would have a negative and hazardous impact to the area.
“I think most of the residents’ concerns (about Military Place) can be worked out,” Richards said. “When you have something like this, it’s obviously going to impact somebody.”
Of the calls he’s received, Richards said one neighboring resident was firmly against the new plaza, but others just wanted to make sure they’d be given the chance to ask questions.
“There’s some residents that just don’t want anything by them,” Richards said. “But, everybody has a right to develop their property.”
Councilman Robert Clark said he’s heard comments from neighborhood residents concerned with how the project will affect their lives. An official from Benderson will attend Tuesday’s hearing to answer questions.
“There’s a lot of people that aren’t sure what exactly is going there,” Clark said. “They want to be more informed.”
Eric Recoon, executive director of leasing for Benderson Development, has said the company is withholding the name of the plaza’s main anchor until a lease agreement is finalized. He did confirm it will be 68,000-square feet and is a national publicly trading company, though not a grocery store.
Incorporating the existing Perkins Restaurant, the plaza also will feature a small strip shopping mall, national casual-themed restaurant and a “junior anchor” store, Recoon said.
Benderson is requesting a zoning change to a small portion of the land, but Richards said approval won’t likely be given during Tuesday’s meeting.
“I would recommend not approving anything until we can be sure all of the residents’ questions are answered,” he said.
Contact reporter Rick Forgioneat 282-2311, ext. 2257.
Local News
TOWN OF NIAGARA: Puzzled by plaza plans
- Local News
-
-
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
-
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.
-
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.
-
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.
-
Repaving work on Old Military Road rises to $790K
Sometimes a change is good. Sometimes a change is bad. For the Town of Lewiston, a change can be pretty costly.
-
Fifth-grader presents list of 400 names asking for new playground
A 10-year-old boy carrying a petition containing more than 400 signatures asked members of the Niagara Falls School Board on Thursday to consider building a new playground at his school.
-
Bomb threat leads to arrest at NT school
A North Tonawanda teen was arrested Thursday morning for sending a one-sentence bomb threat to the computer of a fellow high school student, resulting in a brief lockdown of the school.
- Sense of resignation on AES pact
-
Marching to the new veterans memorial
It's the unofficial beginning of summer.
Memorial Day may mean cookouts with hot dogs and hamburgers, a trip on the river in a boat or simply a day off from work Monday.
-
Fugitive in meth case caught
Moments after Falls police narcotics detectives and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents uncovered a clandestine meth lab in the city's Echota neightborhood, their prime suspect sent a cryptic text message to Detective Joe Palmero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
