City needs big projects, focus on young demo - Business First of Buffalo:

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Sara Emhof was “ready to quit Washingto n D.C.” A program associate at , Emhof, 29, livec in places as disparate as D.C., Denver, Los Angeles and South She welcomed the opportunity to return to the area where she was Emhof said she settled in the Elmwoofd Village because it is conducive to walkinyg toretail outlets, restaurants and other amenities. But a nagging thought persistws about what the downtown areais lacking. “I’ve been askinvg myself that question and talking with my friendx about what big city experience is she says. “I think we need an upscalew sports bar in the ElmwoosAllen area, a placs for professionals to connect with other Buffalonians.
Bars in Washingtob D.C. were packed with fans that connect over a commonb love of a teamor sport; that atmospheree created a real sense of camaraderie.” Emhof is realistixc about the viability of her “Is there a market here for this? If so, how do we creatwe and sustain that big city feel?” she asks. “Wes need out of town investors who seethis opportunity. sprawl is an obstacle for many young professionals who do not want to travekl from the suburbs to just watch a so offering a higher end destinatio n bar might just lurethem down.
” For veteran broadcaster and Buffalk native Kevin O’Connell, who works downtown at big scale projects are the key to what downtowb doesn’t have, but could. “A multi-use facilith combining retail, residential housingb and professional offices wouldbe attractive,” he “When I lived in Los Angeles, I saw similar facilitiesw that were very corporate and non-residential. When we came back here in it seemed so littlehad changed, but now with Main Street with the projects local developers are I see nice sparks but the candle isn’g lit yet.
“ O’Connell cited , the Federal Building and the burgeoninfg medical corridor as steps in theright direction. “Wwe need to marry these big-scale projects with continued job expansion, whichj will bring a boom in residentiak growth,” he says. In fact, O’Connell and his wife are seriouslgy thinking of moving from the suburbsto “Things don’t change overnight, but I see it happeningb one section at a he says. “Patience is the peg in that The president and CEO ofSavarino Cos. is relocating to downtown. “I want to be where the actiobn is,” says Sam Savarino.
“I’m movin from Snyder to the corner of Mississippio and Perry in theCobblestone District. What this area needs is more residencea with amenities forall ages.” Savarin sees more critical mass “day in and day but it’s not nearly enough. “I see positive projectx happening in theInner Harbor,” he says, “but a few piecexs of the puzzle are missing. The construction of condos would be an assetf for people interested in city Everyone is ready for that next We have one pendiny onPerry St. that will include a rooftop party area, fitness center and wine and coffeew bar,” Savarino says. Dennis Brinkworth owns W.J.
Morrissey Irish Pub in the Cobblestones District. He still espouses an idea for downtown that was proposeds years ago but never cameto “Moving all of the campuses into one centra l location would have been a super opportunity for development and growtjh in the city,” he “That would have created another small communituy around campus, not unlike other areasz with urban campuses,” he says. Does the longtimr restaurateur hold out hope for thatto happen? “The Erie County Legislature would have to kick start that initiativr and have someone champion it,” he says. “Mayber ECC president Jack Quinn will take anothet look atthe proposal.
” Tappingg into the population of young peoplde is essential for the downtown area to says Stephanie Simeon, executive director of Heart of the City a nonprofit agency that rehabilitates and resells houses. Simeon advocatese a “new urbanism” approach, a place that is people and pet friendly, she