Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A proposed new health clinic could end up creating a pair of critical milestones for the city's Niagara Street and lower West Side hamlet.
Proposed, by Neighborhood Health Center of Western New York, is to take over the former Luigi's Bakery site at 83 Forest Avenue (and the corner of West Avenue) and turn it into a five-story, 39.720-square-foot building anchored by a series of medical and health care offices.
The Buffalo Planning Board will begin its review of the $12 million project, designed by Carmina Wood Design, during its Feb. 9 meeting.
David Rivera, Niagara District councilman, said he will put his entire support behind the project.
"It is a good project," Rivera said.
To Rivera, the project checks off a lot of key boxes.
Among them:
- It helps to address the health care and medical office desert that exists in the lower West Side.
"There are a lot of people, especially New Americans, who don't have access to health care professionals," Rivera said. "This will help in that regard."
- The project, taken together with other recent developments along Niagara Street and the lower West Side, may help spark more private sector-backed projects like the recently opened Britesmith Brewery or Great Point Studios.
"We need more development momentum there," Rivera said.
Pending various Buffalo and New York state approvals, construction could start later this year.