The Boulevard Mall
Budget Estimate: $65-82 million* & counting
Preface. Oct. 30, 2023: Budget Meeting - Brian Kulpa acted surprised and dumbfounded when a resident noted no Blvd. Mall acquisition cost was listed in the budget but $27 million(mm) of demo and infrastructure was noted. If Brian Kulpa’s comments around a $24mm purchase price are true… that would put Amherst in a immediate $51mm hole. Acquisition cost & contingencies will be updated as soon as Kulpa wants to be straight with the people.
Dec. 14, 2023: On Feb. 3, 2023: "Boulevard Mall site ideal for Governor Kathy Hochul's ‘housing’ push, Amherst Supervisor" Kulpa says. On Dec. 14th - Kathy Hochul “awarded” $31 million (taxpayer) dollars for infrastructure work. The scope of infrastructure work being funded includes design and construction of improvements to sanitary sewer infrastructure in the Boulevard Central District (which includes property up towards 2 University at Buffalo campuses). Hochul sited ‘transit-oriented town center’ which sounds like laying the ground work toward putting the NFTA metro rail extension down Niagara Falls Blvd and to University at Buffalo - as 1,500 units with student housing surely including more than 2 students per unit would be a huge population in small area.
Dec. 5, 2023: Brian Kulpa has now changed his tune again saying “Demo will begin next year or 2025, depending on whether it’s a private developer or the town that does the work” then right after says ‘The plan is for the town to acquire the properties, then sell them back to the two developers once the legal hurdles are cleared.’ - Buffalo News
Dec. 3, 2023: Town Board has yet to acquire the Blvd. Mall… needed before any progress starts & is in a legal case to use eminent domain against JCPenney (in the mall since 1970) to kick them out.
Nov. 20, 2023: Kulpa & Town Board raise taxes 11% to help fund the $10mm demo of the Blvd. Mall.
Oct. 30, 2023: Brian Kulpa states “if we were able to acquire the Blvd. Mall for $400k an acre we would want to sell back for $1mm an acre” That would roughly cost the town $24mm in just acquisition costs and then would need to be able to sell it for $60mm after demo (costing $10mm) and infrastructure (costing $17mm) or a minimum of $51mm.
Oct. 18, 2023: “The plan is for the town to acquire the properties, then sell them back to Jemal & Benderson once the legal hurdles are cleared” -Buffalo News
Oct. 16, 2023: Supervisor Kulpa - “I don’t believe we’ll actually sell it back to Mr. Jemal” -TB Meeting
June 23, 2023: Kulpa goes back to another target date, telling the public he hopes demo on the Blvd. Mall to begin Spring 2024. - Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors
May 26, 2023: Kulpa moves back the timeline… So now that the leases will be cleared as of the middle of 2024, then actual work can begin, Kulpa said. - WGRZ
May 20, 2023: "The mall could be all of or partially demolished, and we can introduce new infrastructure. Then the private sector can do what the private sector wants to do, which is build up," Kulpa said. - WGRZ… Site plans clearly show partial demo… not full demo… Which one is it?
May 10, 2023: “Demolition of the Boulevard Mall expected to begin in spring 2024” - Kulpa’s column in the Amherst Bee
Feb. 3, 2023: Kulpa previously told The Buffalo News this is a way to help let demolition proceed and, further, to allow the town to cut through some of the legacy leases that limit reuse of the parking lots. Site work could begin this year (2023).
Jan. 1st, 2023: STILL no roads have been carved out through the mall… but they are still crumbling! Be careful driving around it… luckily there is a Firestone nearby!
Aug. 4, 2022: Kulpa says the town hopes construction can begin in the spring (Spring 2023) and it won't be completed immediately. - WGRZ
June. 26, 2022: Supervisor Brian Kulpa believes demolition of the wheezing structure could begin next spring (2023), making room for new development. - Buffalo News
Jan. 1st, 2022: No roads have been carved out through the mall… but they are crumbling! Be careful driving around it… luckily there is a Firestone nearby!
June 2020: Kulpa says the Town of Amherst wants to begin carving new streets through the Boulevard Mall next year (2021) with Jemal starting work on his proposed transformation of the site soon after. - Buffalo News
Keep checking the blvd. blog below
for updates to see how effectively
the Town Board is using your money.
Nov. 22, 2023 - 62 acres of prime Amherst NY commercial space that could be providing revenues & benefits to the residents, sits with boarded windows & its exterior falling apart… while the TOA took JCPenney to court.
