Fuccillo's second dealership plan approved

by Robin M. Woolson
Grand Island Dispatch, April 16, 2004

The Fuccillo Automotive Group received approval from the Grand Island Town Board last week for its proposed Toyota expansion on Alvin Road.

This followed a two-month long process where the company was trying to get the wetland replacement proposal approved since the plans included construction of the 30,000 square foot facility on more than two acres of existing wetlands.

Before the approval, the board accepted the negative declaration from the State Environmental Quality Review committee, which meant there was not a negative impact on the environment where the facility would be located.

Deputy Supervisor Richard Crawford said that when Fuccillo Automotive Group first came to the Island in 2001, the original project had them building on a portion of the wetlands, which they did replace.

Now, the plans for the Toyota dealership involve building on the wetlands that were replenished after the initial construction.

The mitigation approval is allowing more wetlands to be developed in the Scenic Woods area. There will be more than seven acres of wetlands developed.

"We looked at the potential projects of town-purchased lands where it would be a viable project." said Crawford.

Town attorney Peter Godfrey said the project moved at record speed.

Crawford said that everyone involved with this project worked diligently to get this endeavor to work to make sure everything needed was in place.

With the approval of the mitigation measures, Fuccillo Automotive Group will be able to begin construction on the second dealership, which they hope to have up and running by later this summer.

Godfrey said this was a project that was not met with a lot of opposition. He said that the board was pleased with it because it would be bringing more jobs to the Island and increasing the tax base.

Crawford said the Fuccillo Automotive Group is attracting people from around Erie County to the island to purchase vehicles and that adding this new selection of cars will bring in more people.

"This could get the people to stop at the stores here on the Island," he said. "This is a great economic opportunity for the existing retail and commercial businesses."

Crawford said that Grand Island is a light industrial area, and with the location visible from the I-190, people who use it to travel to and from work, as well as for recreation, will possibly stop and check out the vehicles that are available.

"This is a win-win situation for Grand Island and the businesses here," he said.