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dragonfire1024
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03/07/2006 23:57 #21941

I disagree
(e:Dcoffee) said:

Stores like, Everything Elmwood, Urban, and etc have a real advantage over the businesses in these homes, one reason is that they have big windows right on the sidewalk. They're more inviting because when you walk by you can see what's in the store, and therefore you feel more comfortable walking in and hopefully purchasing something from them.



Have you even read anything I wrote? Have you seen Rocco Termini's design? Seven strofronts, all tenants stay and theres room for more. They will look just as you described.

How many more college students would be spending their beer money at these stores if they could easily see what the place is selling,and who is inside, right from the sidewalk?



Last time I checked, there are many many college students who go to these shops. I have seen them. How many college students will spend their "beer money" in this hotel?

furthermore, think of the parents coming to visit their sons and daughters at the college. Many of us went to college, I went to Fredonia, it was far away enough to be your own person, but close enough that mom can come down for lunch. How many students from Elma, Clarance, Hamburg, Rochester, batavia, and elsewhere have parents coming to visit them at Buff State?



Are you serious? You make it sound like those places are hours and hours away from Buffalo. And as far as I know most students go home on breaks and such anyway. But I could be wrong, you seem to have the answers for that one I guess.

and how many take their children out for lunch at some nearby restaurant, and wander down the street? With a big new commercial building on the corner, this shopping district will look a lot more attractive to visiting parents who may not have ventured down there to shop yet



So where will they shop again? the 2 or 3 possible shops in the hotel? Remember, there is no gurentee that any shops can afford to move in there and if they can afford it, then they will be overpriced as the rent will be outragous. So will these visitors shop at another resturant? We Never Close? Mobil? Give me a break. The shops that do exist on this end of elmwood will be demolished. So we are sending these people all the way to Auburn and Elmwood. Build the hotel there then.

and the businesses would really appreciate visiting parents because they are likely to spend money with their children while in town. A new 4 story building would create a grand commercial gateway, and make this part of the city seem as active as it really is.



So the students and their parents will go eat at a resturant then proceed to Coles and Mr. Goodbar to get drunk? Right...Active? You mean see the wandering puking drunks right? The bums asking for change 24/7?...the crazy people from the hospital?...yeah real attractive. And when they see a seven million dollar hotel there then they will flock to this corner like there is no tomorrow.

It is a commercial strip, that is it's purpose, and if the businesses there succeed and expand, then the area is doing well. If you don't like living on an active commercial strip, move to linwood, richmond, colvin, ashland, or any one of the million Buffalo streets that are residential. the greatest challenge for the city today is for it to reestablish itself as the commercial center of WNY, and take some of the money away from the big box chains, which are trampling our farms and forests as the suburbs sprawl ever outward. You know?



No. Elmwood is not a "active commercial strip." There are people that LIVE on Elmwood too. So your statement is wrong. Elmwood is not a strip mall. If we allow a hotel, we may as well call Walgreens back and offer them the site where We Never Close is. Ok...so Wyndham Hotels is not a big Chain? Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they International? Tell me to move? I live in this neighborhood, and again who are you to tell me or anyone else whats good for OUR neighborhood? If you love the hotel so much, let them tear your home down.

That corner deserves more, and this hotel is far better than anything I expected, someone is really willing to put some serious money into that corner. it never had a great corner building like some of those in my neighborhood and around the city. this is an awesome step in the right direction.



Don't get out much do ya. Pay attention. I wrote all about Rocco's plan. Whats wrong with it? So far no one has given any reason as to why his design is not worth it. Afterall Elmwood is a VILLAGE not a damn mall. Let them say your house is next and you tell me you want a hotel.

Jason
dcoffee - 03/08/06 00:49
that's exactly what I was about to say Jenks. It seems like Dragonfire didn't really comprehend a thing I said because he doesn't want to see my point of view.

I understand that you live next door Dragonfire, and you probably won't like the ruckus in your neighborhood. Of course, no matter what, construction, change, uprooting businesses and all this stuff, is going to be a big hassle for neighbors. But please, take one for the team. The city is finally seeing some investment from new developers, (instead of Paladino and the bunch), and we have a fresh shot at working together to make sure that our neighborhoods will get some investment, and get it in a positive way. Don’t just say 'NO!!!!!!' work with people.

It's not like this is out of place, or destroying beautiful architecture. It's a perfectly logical idea to put more density on the Elmwood strip, it's where people want to live and do business, you're lucky to have someone ready to spend millions in your neighborhood. Grant isn't so lucky, and we can't force the guy to change his plans and move there, he’ll just go to another city and figure it's too hard to do business in Buffalo just like his developer friends probably told him.
jenks - 03/08/06 00:39
Yes. Your concerns are valid. But just ignoring/shooting down any viewpoint that isn't the same as yours is not very productive.
I just think you aren't necessarily seeing both sides clearly, since it is PERSONAL for you.

Why do you feel like no one is listening to you? because they didn't sign the petition? maybe it's because they don't agree, not because they aren't listening. Or maybe they're busy. Or sick of hearing about it.

I like Rocco's idea too.

But my primary goal is to improve the neighborhood. Not make sure your rent stays low.

I can't talk about this anymore. I feel like a broken record.
dragonfire1024 - 03/08/06 00:21
Jenks put yourself in my shoes...how would you feel? I feel lke no one is listening to me, although I think my concerns are very justified.
jenks - 03/08/06 00:12
jason i can't take this anymore.
Just a tip-
if you want people to listen to you, you have to listen to them.
not just scream 'oh fine! let them tear down your house!'
That kind of reaction is childish and uncalled for.
Sorry to be harsh, but I'm getting really sick of this.
We need to talk about this like adults, or not at all.
I'm not doing this hyperbole and sensationalism.

03/07/2006 22:06 #21940

Hotel Shmotel Reply
(e:Leetee) wrote, and I am replying:

Q: If Hans Mobius had kept his properties to code and wasn't such a slumlord, then perhaps all the tennants in those houses would have had way way way way higher rent, perhaps even not been able to afford to do business or live there?!?


A: Possibly, but he has owned these properties for twenty years. For twenty years, he has not made a single major repair to any of those properties. As a landlord, he is required BY LAW to keep them to code.

Q: So, the options are for him to sell the property to someone else and be rewarded or continue to be a scumbag slumlord? Neither are attractive. If he ends up in jail because he is a slumlord, what happens to the buildings and the tennants?


A: What would change if he was in jail? The business owners would not go anywhere. They pay rent. He broke the law, not them. The buildings could be better, but also keep in mind that any repairs done to the buildings were done by the tenants. Also keep in mind, that people live in these buildings too.

Q: Does the city take over? What the heck would they do with the buildings? Condemn them and boot out the tennants? Or sell them to the highest bidder and then the tennants would be out anyway?


A: The city could yes. Have you heard of Rocco Termini? read my previous enteries or see my article here: you can scroll to Related Wikinews and see the oldest article at the bottom of the list. Anyways, there is one about Rocco in there and a picture of what he wants to do. Remember Elmwood and Auburn? why not do something like that? He has said that all the tenants and businesses can stay and offers 7 storefronts as opposed to the 3 with the hotel.

Q: Instead of telling me what is wrong with Hans Mobis and him being a slumlord and wanting to sell to a developer that will do things you thing aren't good for you, your neighbourhood and the tennants of those buildings, how about what you are hoping will happen?


A: I hope that Rocco will do what he says he will do. His Idea is what Elmwood needs. What we do not NEED is a hotel. Plus with his Idea, it seems the tenants will get the option to buy.

Q: What is your suggestion in an ideal world? Really, i am not being sarcastic or arguing, i really want to know...


A: Please read my articles as there is too much to type :) But my suggestion: Progress is not demolishing homes and businesses. The Waterfront is progress. The Canal District is progress. The Burchfield Art Museum? is progress. Get the tourists here and then worry about a hotel.

Jason

03/07/2006 16:32 #21939

Another delay...YeS WooHoo
Well it looks like we wone another delay. The hotel proposal has been sent to commitee to be "discussed further". No tabling, no date for the next meeting (common council meeting).

I want to organize a protest of those OPPOSED to the hotel. We will have signs and a bagel company will supply coffee and bagels if we do this. Anyone who is interested please send me a post it note with you e-mail address and I will send the information to you when we organize it.

Only three residents spoke that were for the hotel. At least 5, including myself were againsty it and spoke.

I will be writing my next article now, but it will take a bit.

Watch WB 49 News at 10 TONIGHT for an update and to see me on TV :)

03/07/2006 09:23 #21938

New Faces
We are always hiring and firing people at work. Hell, a lot quit too. But I like it when a new face comes along. Especially when its someone you know and worked with before.

My friend jen, who i have not seen in a year, just got a jo at the resturant. We used to work together at City Grill, downtown. That resturant is part of a few chains. They used to own Ya-Ya's on Main Street, across from the old Marcella's, but it has since closed. I hear none of their places are doing all that great, and I am glad I got out of there before I was out of a job. BTW, I worked at Pano's for two years then quit to go to City Grill. I was there for a year exactly and went back to Pano's where I am at now.

I am glad to finally see someone I know, and like again. It's about time we got some reliable help :)

Jason

03/05/2006 21:10 #21937

Right
(e:Dcoffee). Nice. Build the hotel on elmwood and north. If you think its gonig to be so great, tear down E,mwood and north. If you think its going to be so great, put it where your house is. Tear your house down and close the shops you use. Destroy yor neighborhood.

The redesign sucks. If I wanted toi see the old west, I would go to it. I sure as hell do not want to see it on my corner.

So lets reward all the slum lords in buffalo by allowing them to INTENTIONALLY neglect their properties and let them rot. If this were anywqhere else, Hans Mobius would be inb jail.
dcoffee - 03/06/06 12:39
Hans Mobius is a jerk and should be in jail, but what does that have to do with a successful commercial district increasing the vitality of its businesses by bringing in more density and more people?

Sure build it here in Allentown, good. But you need it more than we do, we already have the businesses we need to survive down here. Where's your grocery store, hair salon, diner, café, or place to get a coffeemaker or electric heater? Probably in the sprawl of north Elmwood and Kenmore Ave. where pedestrians are not welcome, or south toward Allentown and beyond walking distance.

And why screw Buff State and Albright Knox out of convenient access to a much needed hotel.

Sorry progress in Buffalo happens to be rubbing you the wrong way this time, but this hotel is a good thing. Don’t exaggerate your own preferences into dire neighborhood problems, or the end of life as we know it. Or at least save it for the downtown casino.
uncutsaniflush - 03/05/06 21:55
Serious questions that deserve answers:

How many times have Mobius's tenants complained to the appropriate City, State and Federal agencies?

What has the response of the City, State, and Federal governments been?

How many times have Mobius's tenants taken him to court?

What was the outcome of the Court cases?

Do you have any personal knowledge of any tenant, residential or business, calling or writing a complaint to the City Code Enforcement department?

What was the result of these calls?

Do you have any personal knowledge of anyone, you included, calling the media to bring attention to the terrible conditions experienced by the tenants of Mobius?

What was the result of these calls?

The recent hotel proposal would have been a wonderful opportunity to make the media aware of the horrible conditions in those houses.

Even if the local network affiliates and the Buffalo News and the Art Voice ignored the story, I would bet that the Beast would love to rake some muck and embarass the City of Buffalo.

For that matter, (e:dragonfire1024) you are a bright guy, you know how to use the internet.

Building Codes aren't all that complicated. And run-down buildings with problems are easy to document with photos. I'm certain that you, personally, could write a story on the horrible conditions while highlighting specific code violations in Mobius buildings and post it on the internet - on Wikinews, here, etc.

You could force the City to do something.

You have that power. You could get the City to condemn the buildings with your reporting skills if you are correct about all the code violations.

But then again, I suspect that his tenants don't complain because they know that the City might condemn the buildings if conditions are as bad as you claim.

I suspect that his tenants don't complain because they know their rents would go up if Mobius actually improved his properties.

What do you think would happen if Mobius was thrown in jail and his buildings condemned?

Would his properties be magically made better while he was in jail?

No one would be allowed to occupy the buildings until the code violations are cured.

So throwing him in jail for code violations might result in the very thing you say you want to avoid - all the residents and businesses are displaced.

On a related note: I've noticed that you have not answered my question about Rocco Termini whose proposal you support - Has Termini committed in writing to allowing current Mobius tenants to continue to rent from him at their current rents once he renovates the properties?

And another thing, wouldn't Mobius profit if Termini buys his properties?