One of Buffalo's most unique buildings is on the way, after the Common Council approved a series of land sales Tuesday.
It's commonly known as 61 Terrace, currently a downtown parking surface lot that's encircled above by the I-190 on-ramp and connected to the Skyway. It's the latest in developer Douglas Jemal's trophy collection.
Jemal has planned a $42 million nine-story parking ramp-apartment complex on the property, which is flanked by Jemal's Seneca one tower. The bottom five stories will be able to hold 300 parked vehicles, while the upper four floors will include 148 apartment units.
Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski told the Council it won't all be market-rate housing.
"Representatives from the Jemal Development Corporation and me had previously permitted a special-use permit and had worked with them closely to make sure that we can get affordable units on that lot," Nowakowski said. "I want to really make sure that folks know that these parcels that are being sold we have worked to ensure there will be affordable units on that property."
The next stage after Councilmembers approved land sales by the city and the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency is applying for a building permit. The collection of lots was appraised and bought at a $1.5 million. Construction is separate.
BURA General Counsel Scott Billman said the plan is based on using what has long been a parking lot.
"The property that we sell amid the city parcels, the developer is proposing to acquire the property and replace the current surface parking lot with a nine-story mixed-use building, including five stories of structured parking, four stories of residential apartments above and an interior courtyard space," Billman said.
