Board ponders complex addition, new landing posts

Story and photos by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, September 9, 2006

The apartment complex at North Seventh and Seneca streets.

Lewiston architect David Giusiana, AIA, of Giusiana Architects and Engineer, presented the Village of Lewiston Board with a proposal Monday to add 18 units to the apartment complex at South Seventh and Seneca streets owned and operated by Jeff Williams, a well-known resident who ran last year for the Town Board. He said the project would add to the aesthetic value of the neighborhood by adding a development that more closely matched the line of houses and Streetscape motif.

Giusiana also said, “The original intent was to make the complex more profitable for the Jeff Williams family by increasing the number of units.”

The units, which would be spread out in a 7-6-5 cluster of townhouse style homes, with the larger blocks erected on Seventh Street, would be built over what is now parking spaces – and adjoining land that Trustee Bill Geiben called “wasted space.” The project would require 19 additional feet of village right-of-way. Giusiana said that land would be purchased, if the board is willing to sell.

If the project is approved, neighbors stand to gain a sidewalk, which Williams would finance, on the bordering streets.

The site of the former Lewiston Landing brick signposts.

Enhances Village

“It provides more residents the opportunity to live in Lewiston, and it increases the tax base,” Geiben said of the prospect of added units.

The proposal was informally and unofficially presented to the Planning Board prior to Monday’s meeting. It was on the board’s agenda under the auspices of what Mayor Richard Soluri called an “informal discussion.”

Trustee Ken Kenney told the two men the scheme needs to go back to the Planning Board for further instruction.

“Our biggest determination is the 19 feet,” he said.

The board also heard from Mike Molnar, a member of the Beautification Committee, who presented a sketch of what the new Lewiston Landing markers should entail. The former brick pillars were torn down to accommodate new towers, which will be funded largely by Lower River Road resident Russ Conrad. The generous village neighbor works at his family’s stone quarry in Springville and offered to contribute material and labor to create the new monuments.

Soluri, who said the gift was offered because of Conrad’s love of Lewiston, said much of the work would be completed this month, with final touches added in the spring.

News and Notes

•The board unanimously agreed to change its monthly meeting time to 6 p.m. Trustee Terry Collesano said that move would allow more seniors the opportunity to attend.

•Time Warner Cable submitted a letter to the board informing trustees that it will cease carrying the NFL Network in the Buffalo/Niagara area effective Sept. 15. The two sides have been negotiating, unsuccessfully, since before TWC took operational control over Adelphia Cable.