Wegmans in Buffalo plans new building

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Wegmans is planning to build a new structure on the grassy area in front of its store on Amherst Street in Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood.

Wegmans site development manager Dan Aken says the supermarket is hoping that a high-end wine retailer will become a tenant in the new building. Aken showed designs at a meeting of the Black Rock-Riverside Good Neighbor Planning Alliance Wednesday night.

The grocery chain used this model in Rochester to allow Century Liquors to have a location near their store. Wegmans cannot sell liquor, per New York State law.

Many of those at the meeting had no problem with a new liquor store, but some thought the design looked too suburban.

Grant-Amherst Business Association President Mark Kubiniec said, "Well it could be a good proposal for the neighborhood. We'd like to see a true urban building with two stories, mixed use, like would be required under the city's new Green Code."

"We don't want to emulate Sheridan Drive. Sheridan Drive is great for the suburbs, but it's not great for Amherst Street," said Buffalo Common Council member Joseph Golombek.

Wegmans planners say they will consider those concerns and bring their final plan to the City Planning Board on February 26th. Construction would not begin until the fall, with a liquor store opening the following summer.