[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6585810,"mediaKeyId","5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef","parentId",5594978,"title","Developer presents plan to repurpose Ames Plaza into year‑round indoor marketplace","audioSeconds",2491,"startMs",2203000,"endMs",4694000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef&start=2203&end=4694","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef/thumbnail_2203000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6585810/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Developer-presents-plan-to-repurpose-Ames-Plaza-into-yearround-indoor-marketplace","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585810-d3799713537559d8b8bf0f3810dd5250/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739877&Signature=aGUvGFsNI0w-g9l1DL6yk4TzGuygb6Sv1ZUTKn~5FLRQ5aQShU16nYsEgPVIvVZT8-R4ALybGXhhNY9r-M3aQzhQ1-f-TKiLT4wol6R8Q3sVtJdHeza5IOwePiIiRbDQp-vCHtEDFJgLFfdN27tnqVLG7pncJ3GBWgdQza5xN4Kz5Nb2JwwvNfNMqxLfFjFHZpTWNeVIkGTsWCUEsW-bGjknstUSlwbz4Nla2HbfWfzWIAVZR3MBmRfvvlu9soFxFOqbdPFj8o62ypdnyIF45zA8JGlaEunFdHvUCIuOyU89HrlLWNt3LRVmoJ5U7Jybqf0M-nknzV9Mvc7aZ6gLug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-08-18T13:53:00Z","article","Nick Thompson, representing Advanced Maintenance Services, told the Economic Development Advisory Board that he and local partners are working with the Ames Plaza owner on physical upgrades and a plan to convert the vacant former Ames department store into a multi‑unit indoor marketplace.

Thompson said the owner has begun paying for site improvements already installed and that ‘‘the owner of the plaza is ready to write the check to install [a] sprinkler system, which means possibilities open up drastically for what this can become and what is allowed to be in there.’’ He described a build‑out that would partition the roughly 36,000‑square‑foot former department store into multiple units ranging from about 625 to 2,400 square feet, with interior corridors, shared meeting space and year‑round access.

Why it matters: the proposal aims to create permanent, interior retail and service space—shops, small restaurants or ghost‑kitchen/shared‑kitchen operations, co‑working and community market space—that advocates say could increase foot traffic for nearby businesses and convert a long‑vacant anchor into rentable, revenue‑producing units.

Thompson said Advanced Maintenance Services has handled recent site work, including installation of dumpster corrals and recovery work after a fire at one tenant. He described a continuing dialogue with the property owner and said his firm is seeking a management role: ‘‘Our goal with this facility as Advanced Maintenance Services is to also be the manager of the facility,’’ Thompson said. He added that there is no contract in place yet but the company has been in ongoing discussions with the owner.

Board members and meeting participants raised site‑layout and parking questions, including the state of the parking lot, accessibility of front versus back entrances and the potential need for greater exterior improvements before interior build‑outs could attract tenants. Thompson acknowledged exterior work is planned and said back‑lot reconfiguration and repaving are on the owner’s docket. He said some tenant spaces would retain direct exterior access while many smaller interior units could be served from shared hallways.

Participants suggested types of uses the space could support, including an indoor farmers or public market, a community kitchen/ghost‑kitchen incubator, co‑working and small service businesses, and satellite outposts of off‑island businesses. Board members discussed possible programming and marketing steps—pop‑up events, vendor fairs and outreach to local entrepreneurs—to create demand during the facility’s relaunch.

Several commenters cautioned about lease terms and past owner behavior. Thompson addressed long‑standing distrust: ‘‘There have been a lot of bridges burned in the past at the Grand Island Plaza with both businesses and the owner of the plaza,’’ he said, and described efforts to establish more dependable management, tenant communications and on‑site maintenance.

What’s next: Thompson said the owner has already started work on facade improvements and the sprinkler estimate is a turning point for allowable uses. The developer asked the advisory board for ideas and assistance connecting to potential tenants and local vendors; no formal town approvals or contracts were reported during the meeting.

Meeting context and caveats: board members repeatedly stressed that any tenant recruitment, rent structures or lease negotiations remain subject to the owner’s decisions and to formal leasing processes. Thompson acknowledged that the owner has not yet executed a formal management contract with Advanced Maintenance Services and that lease terms remain to be negotiated.

Ending: Board members thanked Thompson for the presentation and offered to help with outreach; the board did not take a formal vote or adopt policy during the presentation, but participants signaled interest in continued conversation and partnership.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8/14/2025 Economic Development Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","Nick Thompson, representing Advanced Maintenance Services, told the Economic Development Advisory Board that he and local partners are working with the Ames Plaza owner on physical upgrades and a plan to convert the vacant former Ames department store into a multi‑unit indoor marketplace.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Erie County, New York","taxId",54969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585795,"Town board moves forward with referendum to consider purchase of Maguire Hyundai site for parks and rec uses",82,5706000,5788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef&start=5706&end=5788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef/thumbnail_5706000.jpg","/articles/6585795/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Town-board-moves-forward-with-referendum-to-consider-purchase-of-Maguire-Hyundai-site-for-parks-and-rec-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585795-dee1ab49433a83039af85ed9722c7f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739877&Signature=VOtwbtJbSqS4ZUF9~pKGsTKpe~yeTcXrUjnTTWDSoiE8KcSPbkoD1XK6bDDlDetGqWXoMpOJLI59nbFWtbXhs6yiyMAkt5jsXA3m51QHO62bM4KDQ80BIcvFmkfGpPpDGcyBV2dkqc~o4MQQdjMuhRLiQwdS9rxX1-U-nfhNHsWWAlGADv90V7Sp7c68LFsBm-A8wpyj2pjBMpf-0VR1x4WXyE~78l5j2jV85grJ4XZZHHsQ8g7JC6zvUEufOPHSLl6dOMRprhp1-s89zPFdI96IxUh3X6jY5vPkdGpt3TtWBO80eX57xWLsZuZL6O9ZMppmstXvbbv7abI5YoRVhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff and advisory board chairs told the group that the town will place a referendum on the November ballot to authorize up to $10 million to acquire the former Maguire Hyundai property for public use, with the parks and recreation and senior services programs assessing possible building uses.

A town official told the chairs meeting that ‘‘there's going to be a referendum in November for the town to take is it up to 10,000,000?'' and that the property—85 acres with a large existing building and paved areas—has potential to house community recreation, senior services and other town programs. The consultant LaBella has provided preliminary cost estimates and options for programming the site; advisory chairs said the town intends to use the parks master plan and public survey results to guide decisions.

Board members noted the referral would require public outreach and that other financing and grant options are under review. The group discussed that acquiring an existing large building could be less expensive than buying raw land and building anew, but that adaptation costs and bond rates will affect the final numbers. Multiple participants emphasized the project will proceed only if voters approve the November referendum; several members said additional public engagement will occur before final design or budget commitments.

Separately, members discussed related tax incentives and incentives‑for‑investment programs; the meeting included an exchange about New York State Real Property Tax Law §485‑b (commonly referred to as 485‑b), a local tax abatement mechanism that had been used previously to encourage storefront revitalization but requires local opt‑in decisions.

Ending: The town will continue outreach and finalize the referendum language; advisory board chairs said they expect more public detail and an eventual vote on the November ballot. No final site program or bond approval is complete until the referendum outcome and subsequent town board decisions.
","Advisory board members reported the town plans a November referendum asking voters to authorize up to $10 million to acquire the Maguire Hyundai property; the town is studying possible parks, recreation and senior services uses and comparing the option to other potential sites.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585800,"Advisory board schedules Sept. 2 review to pick designs for traffic‑control box art",139,231000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef&start=231&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6585800/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Advisory-board-schedules-Sept-2-review-to-pick-designs-for-trafficcontrol-box-art","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585800-2b8c67b1024005676fe42ab8c3fc0723/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739877&Signature=edNbeX9Z8QkUZ1uMFzK5xi9i2Vn95ZHiqJ8BvbmjchTgduMVPor5-aB~EHpNiYlyL1XCElJZO3V3wuLFr3coTlIsXBLvLj9gQMJVgFUbstJ3iUoa6k6-04TyXmXgrb8nahMe1J85pVIB3pt-jte2YoG4~gCg6688lsOW33l554oEhl68a8C09Apx2yaQ7DB2MRIBx2JCrxzXCbi3Yrehh-97NuigsDunm49iB-het5ItT6ab1z1OBgPywub0djgTAH7Wg~gFd2BChKJq8kLTMhkP49QKoZSn0iRSGyjKi~G~7Yzt8QVB6QiK0hj5vPZHX5d3MjSdr9DJSgtQaCAEig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members discussed progress on a public‑art program to paint traffic‑control boxes and confirmed a one‑time outside meeting to review submissions and choose winners.

Justin, who is leading the project portion of the subcommittee, said, ‘‘We got our applications and everything over to DOT,’’ and noted the applications’ public visibility. He added, ‘‘The applications are due 08/31,’’ and asked the group to help spread notice. Members agreed to convene outside the regular EDAB meeting schedule to review submissions and make final selections.

The board set a special review meeting for September 2 at 7:00 a.m. to select three winners and finalize the group’s recommendations to the board. Jose was reported to be forwarding applications as they arrived; at the meeting the team reported one person had filed paperwork but not yet submitted a design.

Members emphasized outreach to students, local art groups and community pages to increase design submissions before the deadline. The board did not vote on funding at this meeting; it set the Sept. 2 review as a subcommittee action and invited any member who could participate to attend and make selections for the three winners.

Ending: The board encouraged members to continue outreach; no town appropriation or DOT approval decisions were made during the meeting.
","The board confirmed that applications for the traffic control box public‑art program were submitted to DOT and agreed to an outside meeting on Sept. 2 at 7 a.m. to pick three winners; as of the meeting only one applicant had submitted paperwork without a design.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585805,"Advisory board backs student project testing a shared Grand Island events calendar",1169,847000,2016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef&start=847&end=2016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5594978-4d191ada93d3c7be2e342d6019b478ef/thumbnail_847000.jpg","/articles/6585805/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Advisory-board-backs-student-project-testing-a-shared-Grand-Island-events-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585805-29582fc7c3429c4db64360201007205e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739877&Signature=IocsAwPp8jrwgwDZbsw9c4Tnbzp4fRSgk0eiN-o46bzdDfrGbhPlIo78BSvlAwtc5lHnQa3VQ82s6iFyzmVLo02UmXvhVRycfjk3jfKyqL89QuoENH29FgKGgWLY5k8BeYs6O~6gOAq~qau-YvynS562xQg9Xb4mYZ4Kqkae2yc5G~~Z0JiGUrwgaEKXue2VO5pCm633k0vAtdtzL3DWlDtGW1nuycP5Z-gxK~w4FL9VFcq94sThOekHni3O6ZY~DyrRBhQmIWWh~RkOyDJqSVK0Hy9Qb7ncu4wHKjCllpgxixErYBkCtYVzS5UC5vvb0IodIZhQQ72hLmARpIw~fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheryl Chamberlain, speaking for the Economic Development Advisory Board subcommittee, outlined a student‑led project to create a unified online calendar that would consolidate town, school and chamber event schedules.

Chamberlain said the student, Sienna, has started the project and ‘‘would like to use Google Sites for this.’’ Board members discussed where the calendar would be hosted, whether the town or the chamber could or should host it, and what permissions would be required to post events from multiple public and private entities.

Nut graf: The discussion focused on feasibility, governance and content scope—whether the calendar would list only official meetings, all community events, or also commercial event promotions—and who would sign off on items to prevent perceived favoritism by a single public body.

Board members and staff raised three operational questions: who would host the site, who would be the point person at each participating organization, and whether town or school rules would limit content. Jose agreed to get clarity from town staff on whether posting a non‑town calendar would create any nexus or legal limitation. Members suggested a model where each organization retains control of its own submissions (a point person at the town, school and chamber) and a shared hub aggregates the feeds.

Chamberlain said the student’s work will be scoped as preliminary research: identify software options, define what types of events to include and propose a governance plan. Board members suggested using school IT for Google Sites integration, and identified Corey as a subcommittee contact who can continue technical coordination. The board agreed Sienna should finish the student research and return with a short list of options; Chamberlain said she would schedule follow‑up work and a small subgroup meeting to refine scope.

Clarifying details raised during the meeting included concerns about promoting commercial businesses, the need for a hosting arrangement for at least 12 months, and the possibility of shared ownership or chamber hosting to avoid direct town promotion of private businesses.

Ending: The group asked the student to return with defined, ‘‘baby‑step’’ goals after summer research; no formal town action or funding commitment was made at the meeting.
","EDAB members discussed a student project to build a shared calendar for town, school and chamber events; board asked for clarified scope, permissions and point persons and agreed to have the student produce a short feasibility plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Developer presents plan to repurpose Ames Plaza into year‑round indoor marketplace

Town board moves forward with referendum to consider purchase of Maguire Hyundai site for parks and rec uses

Advisory board schedules Sept. 2 review to pick designs for traffic‑control box art

Advisory board backs student project testing a shared Grand Island events calendar