An out-of-town developer is looking to remake a blighted section of downtown Buffalo. Douglas Jemal and his Douglas Development Corporation has been named by Mayor Byron Bown as the designated developer for a city-owned parking lot sitting at the interchange of the of the Skyway and I-190.
The property at 61 Terrace sits adjacent to One Seneca Tower, which Douglas Development is redeveloping into a “tech hub” with M&T Bank. The proposal is for a 9-story, 300,000 square-foot building that houses a parking ramp and apartment units.
Brown credited Jemal’s vision for seeing value in the long-neglected lot.
“Many people who look at this site can’t envision it as a potential major development site,” he said. “That’s what separates Douglas Jemal, Paul Millstein and Douglas Development from other developers.”
Douglas Development Vice President Paul Millstein said he doesn’t foresee any delays to the project due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This will go to construction in 12 months most likely,” he said. “The city is still reviewing plans and permits, so that is critical to getting us started on time, so they’re moving forward, we’re moving forward. We see no delays whatsoever.”
Douglas Development has proposed to collaborate with architectural firm Antunovich Associates on the project.
