Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - After years of planning, construction on a $90 million residential-anchored development that sits on the eastern edge of Buffalo's Grant/Amherst neighborhood is poised to begin.
In what is considered a key, pre-construction milestone, developers SAA/EVI paid $4.1 million for t0 parcels along Elmwood Avenue, Amherst Street and Marion Street - all of which housed or were connected to the much-beloved, former Voelker's Bowling Alley.
Voelker's closed in 2021, ending nearly a century-long-run.
SAA/EVI has already demolished the former bowling alley and has started prepping the land for the construction, which slated to start this fall.
"This is the type of developer and project you want to see come into the community," said Joseph Golembek Jr., North District councilman.
Located at the northwest corner of Elmwood Avenue and Amherst Street, the Voelker Apartment project will serve as a gateway into Buffalo's Grant and Amherst neighborhood.
At $90 million, it is the largest, private sector-backed development in recent memory in the city's Grant/Amherst neighborhood.
Plans call for a five-story building to be developed with 230 apartments -a mix of market rate units and those designated for low-to-moderate income level residents.
The ground floor will include commercial space and tenant amenities including a meeting room and fitness center.
The building should be tenant, move-in ready by mid-2028.
"What's really exciting is the spin off that will come with this project," Golembek said, "Everyone from Moriarty Meats to Wegmans and Tops will feel it."
The Voelker Apartments will join such other local SSA/EVI projects as the Forge Apartments on Broadway and Piligrim Village not far from the eastern edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
"Everyone says they are great to work with," Golembek said,
Developers pay $4.1 million for Voelker's properties
Developers pay $4.1 million for Voelker's properties
