Island Dispatch, 1997-06-20

              Island DISPATCH  Vol. 54 • No. 09 £f<% years the voice of Gran** ~^m 24 Pages June 20,1997 650 12352I2352 Grand Island Blvd. Fri & Sat • 7 p.m. - midnight 20<t wings $ 4.75 pitchers of beer Take-Out Available 775-3211 Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District (716) 773-7676 Hotel/office project generates concerns by Christopher Caile Pros and cons were heard at a public hearig Monday night about a proposed office, hotel, restaurant complex to be built on vacant land at 2665 Grand Island Boulevard across from the KOA Campground. According to Mark Zarbo, who is proposing the project, it's really quite modest and fits in well with the area. "The proposed hotel is only 47 or 50 rooms which are projected to be busy only in the tourist season. It's not an economy hotel, but a family suite concept that is a natural next to Fantasy Island and the Fun Center." The hotel and small conference center is set back from the road on the triangular property. In the front, at one end is a restaurant, and the other a small office building. "In between will be an almost park-like setting where there will be trees and a small creek. Also at the end we have left a 75-80 foot buffer area where the project abuts lots on Bedell Road. Over 60 percent of the property would be green space. The office building is across from two others and around the corner from a third. It's well thought out and will be well maintained. Both the hotel and restaurant will be part of a national chain, but not necessarily the same one," Zarbo said. Scott Swagler, Manager of the Holiday Inn, said the Buffalo area hotels aren't getting filled now and that it's hard to break even. Grand Island couldn't support another hotel. But another Island resident said he thought eotxvtwititACrtv ia. feood. €<mc *K& Island. Zarbo told the Dispatch that he didn't think his project was any threat to the Holiday Inn since typically 70 percent of guest's, reservations are made through national 800 numbers, each chain having their own customer base. "This means if we have 47 rooms, in the short summer season SITE PLAN FOR PROPOSED HOTEL, OFFICE BUILDING AND RESTAURANT- At a public hearing during Monday's town Board meeting Mark Zarbo introduced plans for his new complex slated to be located across from the KOA on Grand Island Boulevard. Although he characterized the project as modest and well thought out, with 60 percent of the land retaining a park-like setting, local residents on nearby Bedell Road voiced a number of concerns. Set to honor those who served by Joelle Gresock Thousands of Americans have risked their lives and braved war in the name of freedom. Often overlooked but instrumental in securing American independence were paratroopers. The unit of brave hearts who have served the United States will be honored on August 16, which has been named National Airborne Day. The true value of paratroopers was discovered during an experimental jump on August 16, 1940. The Parachute Test Platoon, comprised of 48 volunteers, was first organized by the War Department on June 25 of that same year. Out of this experimental expedition, the 82nd Airborne Division was established. The primary aim of the airborne unit is to "disrupt the operations of the enemy," said Grand Island resident Joseph Synakowski, secretary of the 508 th Chapter of the 82nd Airborne. The airborne IN RECOGNITION—Grand Island Supervisor James Pax presents Joseph Synakowski of the 508 th Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division with a proclamation which announced that August 16 would be recognized as National Airborne Day. This comes 57 years after the first paratroop jump in 1940. Time and money questioned on new park by Deanne Bartha A new park over at the Grand Island Town Hall on Grand Island Boulevard raised concerns at Monday's board meeting as to how town coffers were being used to fund parts of the project and if proper procedure was followed for approval. "The new town park looks good," John Lexo, candidate for supervisor said. "But I've seen town employees working there until 8 p.m. Is that overtime? The highway department is bare bones staff now and the recreation department is busy with work on the soccer fields. We were told this wouldn't cost the town anything. If thisproject is creating overtime, how is the normal work getting done?" "We've seeded the property and we'll be ready by July 4th," Supervisor James Pax answered. "There's a great deal of money being spent," Lexo insisted. He also questioned Pax on why he didn't get other board members' approval on the project. Pax acting on his own wasn't proper procedure, he conveyed. "That's your opinion," Pax said. "If you look at time cards, John, seasonal people are out there." "At the last planning board meeting, this was not included in the U.B. students' plans," Lexo said. "Tom Nowak (planning board chairman) said that this is only a temporary park. It could be bulldozed at any time. How does this fit in?" "The park was started before the U.B. students' plans," Pax said. "The park is here to stay. The U.B. plan is only conceptual and may never happen." "But why wasn't it shared with them?" Lexo stated. "We didn't share it, John, because we didn't want to put restrictions on continued on page 14 continued on page 14 continued on page 6