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Here we are…almost thirty years since Sattler’s occupied 998 Broadway and almost ten years since K-Mart closed up shop.

Aldi, the low price supermarket who have popped up all over WNY and Buffalo over the last decade has its sights set on Buffalo’s famous 998 Broadway address.

Yesterday project developers met with the Buffalo Planning Board and ran into some opposition to the project.

I am not opposed to Aldi setting up shop across from the Broadway Market.  My thinking is that they will draw people to the area who would typically not go…even if a small percentage of that crowd would go to the Market, that is a bonus.  As for it’s impact on Save-A-Lot (a similar supermarket) inside of the Market, that is what the free market and competition is all about.

What I do have a problem with is the store being set back off Broadway…the store should be as close to the street as possible.  I don’t think it is too much to ask Aldi to do.

I think Aldi could also lead to the redevelopment of the K-Mart building if successful and help with drawing commercial interest to other properties in B-F business district.

Look at the picture above…it is of an Aldi in Minneapolis built to the street.  Having a 998 Aldi built to the street will fill a void that has been there since Sattler’s was demo’d in 1987.

Hopefully Aldi will not pull out from the project and become an active partner in making things work to make B-F better.

[click here for history of Sattler’s and 998 Broadway]


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19 thoughts on “Aldi…this is where I am at

  1. A recommendation was made by the Chairman of the Planning Board for a community meeting to discuss and engage on issues in relation to the Aldi site plan. The chairman also made it clear that the planning board deals only with site plan issues, issues such as competition were beyond their scope. Hopefully, a community meeting will be scheduled. In terms of site plan issues, I believe the closer the store location to Broadway the better, and as to the Minneapolis example not sure if it makes sense for the location. And, for me, it is great that the Aldi decision to locate in the Broadway Market business district was based upon market analysis of a basic marketing principle –location, location, location. The Aldi management teams made their decision on marketing analysis not political deals, they view this location as ideal for inner-city retail. And, their target was not just a neighborhood within a walkable half mile, but a two mile radius–one that includes one of the fastest growing census tracts in the city with above average regional income.

  2. I’ve seen other Aldi locations around the country in urban environs. Some are urban friendly some are not. The Minneapolis example given is dynamic and an example of what Aldi has been willing to do in the past. The build is right to the street. This type of example can help frame the discussion if a public meeting were held.

    The competition issue should be a non factor. This is what business is all about. Thanks for starting the conversation Chris. I am a frequent reader of Broadway Fillmore Alive and this is the first time I’m chiming in. This news page is great service to the neighborhood and Buffalo.

  3. Hello,

    I feel so strongly that Aldi’s should be built on Broadway that I e-mailed my opinion to Mr. Franczyk and the other Common Council members as well as Mayor Brown. I shop regularly at Aldi’s, and I hope they come to Broadway.

    I am not really concerned about what Aldi’s is doing around the country, because there are at least four Aldi’s here in Buffalo or in the suburbs that fit very well into their surroundings. But, as someone said earlier, just build the thing.

    Please e-mail or call the offices of the “powers that be” to let them know how you feel—pro or con–about Aldi’s on Broadway.

  4. Aldi’s is owned by TWO Billionaire brothers out of Germany. They know what their doing. There management thinks it can work, LET THEM BUILD IT. Keep any local wishes to a minimum and get it done fast.

    BMM ??? Whoa please explain your quoted research. Within a two mile radius is one of the fastest growing census tracts in the city with above regional income ? WHERE ? Somewhere on the edge of the two and ¾ miles, maybe downtown ? People that may not really head to the Broadway Fillmore area ?
    Ever hear of the TWO sides of Main St. ? How people on one side won’t travel 100 feet to the other side ? It is my understanding that the Fillmore District was the hardest hit in the census, having lost the most population. The Broadway Fillmore area has been known for years of massive amounts of drug dealing and crime. There is some light. However Broadway from Smith to Bailey to me is considered very ruff.

    David A Franczyk should be voted out of office. 23 years is way too long, with NO Real Leadership. A campaign committee needs to be set up to bring whites and blacks together to find the best candidate to get rid of this man. When I saw a interview he did to save Buffalo’s “Treasures” about St Gerard’s church, how he was against the move to Georgia, I thought his position was completely wrong. Franczyk should’ve had better leadership about taking on NYS as to why we don’t have GROWTH in this city, which if we did the church would save itself and possibly remain at East Delavan and Bailey. Now he’s an Obstructionist trying to help Save a Lot ? What BS. GET RID OF FRANCZYK.

    A bit off point, but to me on point. I believe in the last 20+ years within a mile radius of Broadway Fillmore, there has been over 1 million drug deals that have occurred. I believe Townsend St alone had done 300 – 400,000 of them. Possibly a larger percentage being Marijuana. I believe Marijuana should be made legal. I believe the Broadway Market could become an exclusive distribution point, and help revive the neighborhood instead of the money going toward Mexican War Lords. The sales are happening anyway, so don’t laugh. It’s just about how the money gets distributed, to a negative gang structure of three primary gangs in that neighborhood with dealers buying fancy rim cars and hand guns, or an integrated way for the marijuana sales to be a positive impact on the neighborhood.

    If anyone plans on running for Fillmore District Council Member please let me know, I think forums and debates need to be sponsored, the current member has got to go.

    Ron

    STOP POLICE CORRUPTION . Com
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/stoppolicecorruption

  5. Chris,

    You’re right on point . . . no problem with it being built, but it does need to be built at the street. If and when there is neighborhood revitalization, “density” is going to be essential. And point well made about Sav-a-Lot – competition can be a good thing, even in the fragile market situation. Ron, you too, make some great points. However, the market becoming a giant weed dealer is not one of them . . .

  6. Chris, Where your really at is: AMHERST, living on a 67 x 112 foot lot, in my estimation about 30 feet from the curb.

    Maybe you need to petition Amherst to move your house to the curb if you expect Aldi’s to build on the sidewalk. When Amherst tells you No, I’m sure you’ll be truly committed to move onto Broadway with your family onto the sidewalk. You had lived on top of the sidewalk in Lovejoy, so what happened ?

    If you don’t live in the neighborhood and set an example yourself by living near the sidewalk, your suggestion is silly in the face of a company willing to put their money up and take the risks.

    My Opinion on Density :

    This is the wikipedia page for the City of Buffalo. A little ways down the page is the Demographics section listing the census figures for the last 200 years. It appears Buffalo’s population began to top off around 1930 at 573,076. The city did grow another 7,000 by 1950 but that took 20 years. Since 1950 we’ve lost over half our population, losing a whopping 320,000 people. These Demographic numbers look really bad, like an absolute free fall off a cliff. 30,000 leave Buffalo alone in the last ten years.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York

    So I’m not aware of how many of those people were lost from the Fillmore District, I’m gonna reasonably guess it’s at least 50,000 people within a guess of 1 mile ½ of the Broadway / Fillmore intersection.

    Now you do have some remaining density in Buffalo like Elmwood where Buffalo State College exists, and on Main St. where there is an Aldi’s on top of the sidewalk but the density is driven by the University of Buffalo. The downtown core has of course the Business district, and an emerging medical campus. The Broadway Fillmore area doesn’t have any kind of MAJOR entity bringing massive amounts of people into it on a daily basis.

    In my opinion it’s the people, that in their choices of where to live, work and shop that push density and not necessarily government regulations. I don’t think you can Enforce density where it doesn’t already exist. People have chosen, like yourself by very large numbers NOT to live in the BF area.

    I’m gonna make another guess, In order for the BF area to begin to regain density it would have to stop losing population and grow by at least 20,000 people. I DON’T see that happening in the next 15 years !! So why harass Aldi’s on a foolish regulation when in the foreseeable future the district is not likely to rebuild it’s density anytime soon. The City certainly isn’t pushing rebuilding the area, it doesn’t even have a dedicated plan for the Broadway Market. The emphasis right now is on the waterfront. At a time it’s still not clear the population will stop dropping for Buffalo as a whole.

    Some additional points, what about how Kmart was allowed to build far back from the sidewalk, it’s an improvement for Aldi’s to want to move closer if not on top. The post office across the street, the Burger King, and a hair supply shop are all not on the sidewalk. Oh what about the Central Terminal that sits far back from Memorial drive and has parking in front ?

    You have at least 3 types of density: City, Suburban, and Rural. With some streets in the BF area having people live over 200 feet apart from the next occupied house, the area is more approaching a rural community than a busy suburban district. One of the new Broadway’s appears to be Transit Rd. where massive shopping and growth exists from Main/Transit heading toward Lockport. And what was one of the biggest development news stories of the BF area in recent years ? A tract of land on Wilson street where you probably had at least 40 houses in a row, now a FARM !!!!

    You have an entire old Kmart block that has not paid any taxes in 10 Years ? The area was lucky to get this proposal. Just in this posting 9 of the 10 prior comments think it should be built.

    If density were to increase in the next 15 years then I’m sure Aldi’s could consider expanding their current building proposal to the street sometime in the future by expanding the store. But with the hustling dealing, pan handling and street walkers up and down Broadway, I think it’s reasonable for Aldi’s to have a bit of a buffer zone. Your either a customer or stay on the sidewalk, no question of loitering in front. Plus cars pulling in can feel a bit safer with a buffer zone.

    When you have a major elderly population remain in the BF area, massive problems with drug addicted people, those with aids, and a massive crime fear reputation, PLEASE tell me how you see any immediate signs of a population increase into the Broadway Fillmore District ?

    And Neal, the War on drugs is a complete fraud and tax payer scam, I don’t smoke, but at the very least Marijuana should be made legal. My guess is you really haven’t spent enough time on Buffalo streets to understand the real matrix of gang infrastructure that exists. We have a major labor war going on with cheap Asian wages, We can not afford a drug war, with this massive underemployment of people looking to get their smoke on. A corner store at William/Fillmore sells 4,000 blunts a week, cigar wrappers used to roll up weed. Open your eyes, look at all the blunt wrappers thrown to the ground.

    This was an opportunity for Franczyk to show some leadership and quickly get a project done, he waffles, it doesn’t get approved. GROF. Start making some signs: GET RID OF FRANCZYK.

    I think the requirement of building it on the sidewalk is very silly when you have no real leverage of current density, not likely to see that density anytime soon and it appears other projects have been built without that stipulation.

    Ron

    STOP POLICE CORRUPTION

    1. Ron…why be combative and try to stick it to me by saying I live in Amherst…that is pretty much common knowledge.

      The work I do for the neighborhood speaks for itself.

      Yes, I moved out of the city from Lovejoy about a decade ago…big deal.

      But…I along with you and am entitled to my own opinion and I can help any cause or push ideas I like. That is what makes this country so cool.

      Thanks for sharing…

      1. Chris,

        I’d say you let police corruption guy off easy.

        How in the hell does police corruption guy know the footage of your property? That’s a pretty creepy way to start an argument and why would he use such detailed information.

        1. I do want to see the Aldi built. I’m with most people commenting here when I say I’d also like to see it built closer to street.

    2. Man, I agree with Paul. That’s weird for someone to do. He should ban him from posting.

      I don’t live in the neighborhood anymore and I still support places like the Broadway Market and Arty’s.

      I appreciate what Chris does and he helps me connect with the neighborhood everyday. By the nature of his work and involvement, he’s got a right to share his opinion.

      1. You know…Ron is entitled to his own opinion…I learned a long time ago to be involved in something like BFA or the community that people will take shots or try diminish what I do…that goes with the territory…my focus has and will remain helping B-F in the ways I know how to.

        If I got overly aggravated with everyone that casts a stone my way, I’d be a neurotic mess.

        People have different opinions on things and different ways on handling themselves…that’s just the way goes.

        Thanks for the compliments…

  7. Having completed a doctorate in urban demography, every time the new U.S. Census data is released, I have to analyze it immediately. The Fillmore District lost approximately 10,000 residents over the last ten years. The two tracts in which the Broadway Market sits in the middle lost about 4,000 residents in total, a substantial number. Despite that there still exist density around the market and this density should be built upon. Aldi is looking to draw from a two-mile radius that they calculate has 40,000 total population. This includes parts of Lovejoy, near downtown, and Pratt-Willert. The upper section of Pratt-Willert includes the Sycamore Village. Estimates from the US Census show this area as one of about 6 census tracts in the city that gained population and in additon has substantial above average household income. This nieghborhood is at the edge of an one-mile radius of the market.

    Aldi management team is basically follow a market principle laid out by a Harvard business economist, Michael Porter — there is money to be made in the underserved and undertargeted inner cities.

    As to their design, those are issues to be discussed with the community in an open public meeting. And, I hope Aldi encourages the meeting because I really think they could spur more redevelopment and potentially help draw customers that do not typically go to the market.

    Despite all the talk about 40 percent of the residents not owning cars, 60 percent of the households in the neighborhood are not in poverty and own cars. And, recent surveys reveal these residents shop outside of the area.

  8. I would like to see aldi open up at the plaza, but putting it at the sidewalk walk – in would cause parking issues since most aldi’s have an front entrance not a rear entrance , the extra parking now gives the people comfort when driving up to the storefront. I as a resident wouldn’t want aldi to invest in new structure since they are taking the risk investing in the area – – this is a serious connection and plus it could spark others to invest in BF as well. We should welcome them and maybe the market can gain in extra revenue as well.

  9. Hi,

    BMM excellently made many of the points that I have been thinking about for several days.

    I live in the Fillmore District on the edge of the Ellicott District. When Aldi’s did its market research studies, I am sure they realized that parts of the Fillmore District, as well as much of the Ellicott and Masten Districts, have a large number of residents–including homeowners, retired workers and pensioned veterans–who spend a considerable amount of their incomes shopping for food and other necessities. These residents drive to Priceright, Budwey’s, Aldi’s and other stores to do their shopping. Also, residents who do not have cars shop at these stores when they have transportation.

    Also, the Medical Campus is expanding into portions of the Ellicott District. St. John’s Baptist Church is also moving ahead on new projects that will add more housing and more people to the Ellicott District.

    Aldi’s has simply seen an opportunity to expand and increase its profitability. I am sure that if Aldi’s cannot find a home on Broadway, it will find another community on this side of Buffalo that will welcome it.
    If Councilman Franczyk and the Broadway Market management are smart, they will capitalize on Aldi’s presence in this community.

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