AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Boulevard Mall has been through quite a lot over the years, but Town of Amherst officials say better days are on the way for the 63-acre property.
"It's a great way to come into Phase 4 of WNY's recovery by saying hey the first steps of our recovery are gonna be going right to work on the thing that was failing the most," said Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa.
The town has been working with Developer Douglas Jemal, the man behind the Seneca One Tower project. They've been working on plans for months and now we're getting a glimpse of what to expect.
The Town of Amherst and Douglas Development are looking at dramatic changes for the future of the Boulevard Mall. "We are going to make it a town center. A little town." says Douglas Jemal. More from @taylor_epps_ at 5 and 6. @Brian_Kulpa @WKBW
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) June 25, 2020
(Renderings/Design by @DoverKohl) pic.twitter.com/ioeTXCO6j3
"We are going to break a road in between to connect it to Wegmans and make it a town center. A little town," said Jemal.
The plan is to bring a community feel back to the area, with housing, green space and possibly new ways to travel. The space will bring thousands of residential units, new jobs and new opportunity to the area, per Kulpa and Jemal.
"Creating an environment where people can not just go to shop, but a place that people can really live work and play," said Kulpa.
The project is expected to take 10 years. The next step is getting the property re-zoned and if all goes well, building could begin in Spring 2020.
"It's $100 million in private and public investment, we've got a ways to go," said Kulpa.
