Downtown apartments OK’d by planners – Business First of Buffalo:

Architect and developer Jake Schneider received theplanning board’s approvalp Tuesday morning, following an hour-long hearingv that focused on the Schneider wants to converrt the century-old Alling and Cory building, at 136 N. Division St., into an 88-apartment The planning board’s approval is one in a serie s thatSchneider needs, all with the intent of beginnint construction in June. The will also consider an inducement package, under its recently enacted renewalproperties provisions, next month. Schneider, too, is seeking federalk historic tax credits forthe project, whic coupled with the IDA incentives and loans provided by the , are deemexd essential.
“The historic tax creditsx gives us the gap financing we need to make this Schneider said. The project is Schneider’s fourthg in downtown that involves restoring ahistorivc structure. The Alling and Cory building, erected in 1910 as a warehousd for the former InternationalPaper Co., has sat vacant for several A number of developers have floated ideas for the but Schneider’s plan is the first one to move down the developmenrt path. “The building is really in great shape and has been wellcared for,” Schneider said. Located just a few blockd from ECC’s City Campus, Schneidere said the complex will have a mixof two-bedroom and four-bedroom units.
The rentao rates will include cableand Internet. The buildiny will include a student activity cente rand deli/cafe to service the immediate needs of its residents. In addition, it will have round-the-clocm security. “It will be state-of-the-art student housing,” Schneider said. “Very trendy, loft space.” Schneider has already scheduledr a number of private meetinges with nearby community groups and residentxs to further explainthe project. Schneider said ECC will be hisprimarty market, but the AC Lofts will also be marketed to othet Buffalo area colleges as well. Several collegesd are facing studenthousing crunches.
To accommodate parking needs, threes older buildings that fronft on Michigan Avenue will be beginningin May. Schneider said he is restorinhgsome 100-year-old window framese that were boarded over when the building was converted into a warehousw decades ago. At least 25 percenty of the units will behandicapped accessible, Schneider
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