I thought i was gonna stay out of it. Then, (e:Metalpeter) posted the Buffalo News story about revitalizing things over here on the westside at Grant and Ferry. [inlink]metalpeter,581[/inlink] Thanks, by the way, (e:Metalpeter), appreciate you posting about that.
Personally, i don't have any issues at all with anyone wanting to build a hotel on Grant. Closer to Buff State, that might even be a good idea (as per a comment from the lovely and talented (e:Uncutsaniflush) [inlink]metalpeter,581[/inlink]). Hell, build it at the end of our street, on the corner of Bird and Grant. I could work there as a maid (have i ever admitted to ya'll that when i was a kid, my parents asked me what i wanted to be when i grew up and i got all excited and said "a maid!"). It would be so close, no long bus (i don't drive) commute.. Ok, who wants to build a hotel at Bird and Grant?
I understand why some people would not want a hotel on Elmwood. I understand the reasons... not wanting to see Elmwood change, not wanting to see tennants misplaced. I get it.
In a comment to (e:Metalpeter)'s post [inlink]metalpeter,581[/inlink] (e:Dragonfire1024) wrote:
No one would stay in the hotel on grant no, but you know what, its not about the looks. I am not going to use the hotel and neither will anyone in the area. It does not benefit the neighborhood, since no one will use it personally. I will not shop there, eat thewre or stay there. As far as I am concerned, if I or anyone else will not use it, then its NOT beneficial to the community.
One of the things you have mentioned a few times, (e:Dragonfire1024) is that no one you know will use the hotel. I agree. Locals don't use hotels in their neighbourhoods. It's the people that live out of town that use a hotel. Like maybe on Elmwood it would be people who are want to visit the gallery for an opening, but don't want to stay way out in the 'burbs. Or because the woman that walks her dog down the street has the cutest top that she got on some street in Buffalo and look at that, there is a hotel right there...! And look, there is a college right there.. i wonder if little Billy would want to go there when he grows up!?! There are so many reasons for a tourist to want to stay in a hotel on Elmwood. The same reasons you and i and so many others think it is a cool place to be are the reasons people might want to visit.
Saying that no one in the neighbourhood would benefit from a hotel just isn't true. Not everyone would. Some wouldn't. But some would. like maybe me... i might want a hotel job. Might be my dream job.. i did want to be a maid when i grew up! Now, i just need to grow up!
Oh, I am so sick of this topic, but I can't let this one go by.
ANCHOR businesses? THRIVING business section?
Correct me if I am wrong, but the shops in question are a clothing store, a video store, a head shop, and something else... tattoo parlor?
Now, I will readily admit I have never been in any of those. For several reasons. 1- I am too busy (i've been here almost two years and haven't seen the freaking FALLS yet). 2- I'm not currently in the market for tattoos or bongs. 3- the stores are rundown and unappealing. If I want to go clothes shopping, I can walk just a few blocks down elmwood and go to any of the numerous attractive, interesting, local stores down there.
Frankly, I personally (and by "I" I mean myself and any family/friends that may visit me) would be much more likely to patronize a hotel/retail building on that corner than what is there right now. And if you think that makes me some corporate sellout snob who wants to see elmwood yuppified and turned into williamsville, well you're simply wrong.
And finally- if those crappy buildings (blah blah blah I don't want to hear about the how fact that they're crappy is Mobius' fault) are the "anchors" of this end of the elmwood strip, then god help us, we are in DIRE need of a makeover. I'm not saying a monster hotel is the answer. And I support local businesses and don't want to see them put replaced with Gap and Blockbuster. And Dragonfire I'm sorry your house is in danger. But we all say we want what is "good" for the neighborhood. And good for the NEIGHBORHOOD (increased pedestrian traffic, more money spent, better word of mouth, etc) may not be the same as what is good for YOU (status quo, cheap rent, crappy buildings.) If we want things to change and improve, we have to at least CONSIDER, well- change and improvement, rather than just screaming 'no hotel no hotel i won't stay in it thus it is bad!'
phew. ok. i hope that is all i have to say on this matter.
Ok I'm a new pundit in this debate, but I don't think that thriving business section needs to have 3 of it's anchor business knocked down eminate domain style.
Maybe it's for the best and those business will move further up or down elmwood (depending on your orientation), and bring their good business elsewhere, but I hope to gawd they're getting a fair shake for having to move (likely not though).