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Developers submit plans for waterfront

By Sharon Linstedt NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER
Updated: 12/11/07 6:54 AM

Three local development groups are vying for the opportunity to fill in the last residential space in Buffalo’s Waterfront Village, along the Erie Basin Marina.

The City of Buffalo’s Office of Strategic Planning fielded proposals from Benderson Development Co., Savarino Cos. and Waterfront Medical Professionals, a group of doctors that is partnering with the McGuire Development Co.

Strategic Planning chief Timothy Wanamaker confirmed the receipt of the three plans for development of the L-shaped, 2.4-acre site off Lakefront Boulevard, adjacent to the Portside condominium development.

“We extended the original deadline to ensure that each developer had enough time to put together a quality proposal for the prime waterfront parcels,” Wanamaker said. “We look forward to reviewing each of the diverse proposals and making a decision that is the best fit for the area.”

The city had set an early November deadline for submissions, but the process was pushed back to Monday.

Benderson Development, a company best known for its national retail development, proposes to build a 60-to-70-unit condominium complex. Benderson representatives did not return phone calls for comment regarding its high-rise, tower-based project.

The Buffalo-founded company, which is now headquartered in Florida, is proposing residential space as part of the Canal Side/Bass Pro Shops project on the city’s Inner Harbor, and at the Buffalo Shooting Club redevelopment in Amherst.

The proposal from Waterfront Medical Professionals LLC/McGuire Group calls for construction of two residential buildings.

An 18-unit, five-story luxury

condominium building would be built slightly back from the water, with units priced in the $600,000 to $785,000 range. An eight-unit, townhouse-style structure would go up closer to Lakefront Boulevard, with price tags of between $250,000 and $350,000 per dwelling.

McGuire Group President James Dentinger said the group of local doctors is behind what he described as an “end userdriven” project.

“They believe people whose jobs are tied to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus want to live in the city, especially on the waterfront. That’s the target market for this project,” said Dentinger.

Buffalo-based Savarino Cos. submitted a plan for 18 two-story units that includes greenspace along the edge of the Erie Basin Marina.

“We tried to be mindful of what the existing residents have said they’d prefer,” said principal Sam Savarino. “We’ve paid attention to sight-lines, greenspace and density, while coming up with a viable product.”

The units, which would be priced in the $400,000 to $600,000 price range, would all have first-floor master bedrooms and two-car garages. Savarino’s resume includes development of the luxury residences at 50 Waterfront Circle, as well serving as contractor for Gull Landing and Marina Park in Waterfront Village.

Richard DaVita, who was rebuffed in 2005 when he approached the city with a 12-unit condo plan, is a partner in the Savarino project. Earlier this month, the city received plans for commercial projects for a 1.5-acre site next to Shanghai Red’s restaurant. Designated developers for both projects are expected to be selected in early 2008, with a construction target of late next year, or early 2009.

slinstedt@buffnews.com