Dispute over greenspace, vacant lot in Allentown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- There's a dispute brewing in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood.

Lawmakers and community advocates want to turn a vacant lot into a small park. On Thursday, Assemblymember Jon Rivera announced that $100,000 in funding had been secured to convert the open lot into greenspace.

Some consider this to be a potential improvement to the neighborhood. Others -- such as some business owners in the Allentown area -- feel differently.

"It's actually unconscionable that anyone could decide that this is a community space when people who are immediately adjacent to it absolutely don't want it," said Brad Wales, a business owner in the Allentown neighborhood.

Lawmakers and the Allentown Association feel differently, and they are moving forward following conversations with the community.

"One thing that we've always been lacking in my opinion compared to other cities, even cities our size, is greenspace and parks closer to our downtown. Every neighborhood deserves space to sit to enjoy the weather, to enjoy community and that's what we're bringing with this opportunity here in Allentown," Rivera said.

The vacant lot located at 169 Allen Street is owned by the Allentown Association.

"For the most part, there's tremendous enthusiasm and support for this project," said Patty MacDonald of the Allentown Association.

We also heard from businesses that support the idea.

"We're super excited," said Lena DeBell of Allen Burger Venture. "It's definitely going to benefit the community. They were talking about having kids nights and, tomorrow for example, having Santa come, you can come and take a picture. It's definitely going to increase the foot traffic on Allen."

Wales disagrees.

"Having a business here would establish synergy with the other businesses here, and then housing above that that's logically for Allentown, not a gap tooth," Wales said.

Lawmakers say they're not going to let naysayers dictate their plans. The next step in the process is picking a consultant who will hold meetings and hear from people on what they want to see in the greenspace. That will happen in the New Year.