The NFTA is looking at a 1,600-foot extension of the Metro Rail, wrapping around First Niagara Center and running toward Michigan Avenue and the Cobblestone District. It would include a new station along South Park Avenue.
The authority had a public session Thursday in First Niagara Center to show alternatives, either right along South Park or mostly inside the yards and shops complex.
"We're happy enough with both of the alternatives that are being presented here," said Elizabeth Giles, a member of Citizens for Regional Transit.
"Our main concern is that this is the first increment in getting a line from downtown out to the airport by way of Larkinville and Central Terminal on publicly-owned rights of way, rail rights of way. So, the idea is nobody's house has to come down. No land has to be purchased."
The group isn't making a choice of the two alternatives.
Rep. Brian Higgins wants the eventual choice to include better access to the second floor of the yards and shops for private sector development.
NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel says the final project might cost less than $10 million and because it's relatively small for a transit project could have an abbreviated planning and review process.
