Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - More than 15 years after the demolition of the Memorial Auditorium, new plans have emerged for the North Aud Block in Downtown Buffalo, a site that has remained an empty pit for years. Now Mark Wendel, president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is looking to make the old home of the Sabres into a place with 251 residential units with ground floor retail.
"We're really excited about this endeavor, and really, you know, looking forward to having it constructed and bringing an enlivenment to the north Aud that hasn't been there," says Wendel.
With the new changes some Western New Yorkers spoke out on the current plans for the North Aud Block project.
"Our historic vision is potentially at stake," said one resident speaking on behalf of Strong Towns Buffalo. "Canalside was conceived as an Erie Canal center cultural tourism destination, not just another housing complex."
Wendel said after the public hearing on Wednesday that feedback is always great to have.
"We're going to see this Canalside neighborhood become a neighborhood, it's still going to remain a destination," Wedel said. "People are still going to want to come and look at the water, but we're also building up a neighborhood where we're going to have a 24 hour livelihood walking around the site. And that's exciting."