Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Demolition of the Boulevard Mall could begin in a matter of months, as the Town of Amherst and Benderson Development are set to approve a formal partnership and plan of action next week.
The Amherst Town Board is expected to vote Monday to recognize Benderson as principal owner of the mall, and authorize the town to take control of the property through eminent domain. That will happen once Benderson closes on its purchase of the mall from developer Douglas Jemal.
"Our hope is as early as the spring we'll see action out there on the Mall site," Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa told WBEN on Thursday. "I think the reality here is we have a lot of stuff in place ultimately allowing Benderson to do what they do best with the construction and demolition."
Kulpa says Benderson will provide the town funds to take over the property owned by JCPenny and Firestone as part of the eminent domain process.
"This is it. Once we have a vote on Monday we will have officially moved forward with the named development partner," Kulpa said. "That's a great thing for the town. It's been at least eight years in the making."
Roadand infrastructure work on the site could be completed within a year of Benderson closing on the purchase.
The town will still own 13.4 acres of the site, which they will put out to a request for proposals from developers for a housing project.