Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As construction continues for a Seneca One Stop in Buffalo’s Old First Ward, one business owner caught by surprise says he has questions for the Seneca Nation.
Justin Hartman of Hartman’s Distillery says he found out about the project when he saw construction crews at work on Thursday. “We saw bulldozers and backhoes ripping up the lot across the street,” says Hartman.
Hartman says he’s been taking a step back when it comes to speaking up on the project. “I’ve been trying to not speak out of turn and wait for my opinion after we have a little bit more information. However, I’m not sure that’s that that’s going to happen. I guess I do know that that our council member Mitch Norikowski did the right thing and set up two meetings previously with the Seneca Nation, and they failed to show up to both. No call, no showed to both. So I’m skeptical if this one’s actually going to happen.” says Hartman. He notes a meeting this Thursday was set up by Congressman Tim Kennedy’s office.
Coming soon to the Old First Ward: Seneca One Stop
Hartman has a few questions on the project. “What’s the traffic pattern going to be like? Where are you expecting? I think they they said something about a truck stop. We’re expecting the trucks to enter and exit from, given that Ohio Street’s already been deemed a non-trucking route, Chicago Street’s not rated for trucks, and Miami Street is a private is privately owned by Elicott Development, and they’ve already closed it down. So I don’t where where do they plan on having all this these vehicles come in and out? What are they going to do regarding the noise pollution, fumes. Are they going to put up burns or something to to at least ease that that concern? I don’t know, and we’re hoping to get some kind of clarity, and hopefully they change their their position from it’s sovereign land, we can do whatever we want, we don’t have to tell anybody, to working with the neighbors and the neighborhood,” ponders Hartman…