Developer eyes soon vacant FWS building

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Could the closing of longtime WNY fixture FWS give birth to a new neighborhood in North Buffalo? Developer Rocco Termini thinks so.

He wants to 'create a community' by turning the FWS building on Elmwood Avenue and a former warehouse around the corner on Grote Street into a mix of residential and retail space. Both buildings would be restored to the way they looked at the turn of the 20th Century.

"This is an untapped neighborhood. You're three blocks from Buff State. You're a block away from Wegmans. It's a walkable, sustainable community. And I think it's going to be a very cool community," Termini said.

The developer said he's just testing the waters right now, although he already has the FWS building under contract. FWSs isn't even out of the building yet. It will hold a 'going out of business' sale this weekend.