Neighbors living near the old Gates Circle Hospital are taking their concerns about their new neighbors to the drawing room floor.
Monday night, a community meeting was held to discuss the design of the new Canterbury Woods at Gates Circle, a six-story, $40 million project that will hold 53 senior apartments.
"We want a building that will set the standard for all of Gates Circle," said Gretchen Cercone, President of the Lancaster Ave. block club.
It was three months ago, in October when the former Gates Circle hospital fell to the ground, clearing the way for Canterbury Woods and the site to be developed.
Since that time, residents have felt they got the short end of the stick, claiming they haven't been included in plans for the site. Most recently, residents say the proposed design doesn't fit the character of the historic neighborhood.
"What I see here is a building that is schizophrenic, it doesn't know if it wants to be traditional or modern it's neither," said one Buffalo resident Monday night during public comment.
The Buffalo Planning Board tabled its vote on the design last month because of all the backlash. Monday night, there were new renderings of what Canterbury Woods will look like, as well as textiles and materials for people to touch and feel. Still, residents wanted more.
"The part of the design that we have problem with is that the top three floors of the building don't fit with the neighborhood. It's incongruous with the rest of the design, which is very traditional, and that's what we're hoping to see changed," said Cercone.
Buffalo Common Council president Darius Pridgen has been involved in giving the residents a voice at City Hall. He was in attendance at Monday night's meeting and says he's taking all comment from the meeting back to the Planning Board.
The Planning Board has not had its meeting yet for January.
Stay in Touch Anywhere, Anytime with News, Weather and Video -- Download the WKBW app:
Or Sign Up for Our Newsletters -- Delivered to Your E-mail:
