Island Dispatch, 2002-03-29

              The Farmer's Almanac predicts: j Showers ' /■.,.' i.ik "'.- -n i Founded 1944 • Complete Community Coverage The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District Island DISPATCH Phone: (716) 773-7676 • l;i\: (716) 773-7190 • l-l-Muil: MTNewsO' elimiil.com To Be Young Again Page 3 Do You Remember When? Page 9 57 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers \ol. 58 No. 5 March 29. 2002 32 l\i»cs plus Citizens of the Year Section 850 As Grand Island celebrates its sesquicentennial bash, growth stages a welcome return by Jon Sandino By now, every man, woman and child on Grand Island knows the importance of 2002. After all, the town is, believe it or not, in the midst of their 150th birthday bash. It started with the first Scuba Duck Regatta at the end of 2001, and continued with WinterFest in the early part of 2002. As the year proceeds, the events will continue to come in droves, and the current residents of Grand Island will have plenty of activities to choose from. But as the town grows one year older, is growth on the Island accompanying it? Growth on the Island is something town officials and residents have been craving for years. But one might wonder how much more growth an Island, which is approximately five square miles larger than Manhattan, can handle. Last year, the town issued 66 building permits for single family homes. A number that Town Supervisor Peter McMahon feels comfortable with. "Last year 66 permits were issued, if we.continue at that pace, that is a sustainable level." He added, "If the number was 300... I don't think that's sustainable for the growth and quality of impact on life." So what is the sudden change of events? Why has growth made a return? According to McMahon, it is a direct result of the federal government dropping ejectment. McMahon is referring to the January 2001 decision by the US Justice Department to drop Grand Island landowners from the Seneca land claim. Though the Senecas still want to sue the landowners, their hold on the issue has dramatically weakened without support from the Justice Department. Shortly after the Justice Department's announcement, housing development throughout Erie County, including Grand Island has been on the rise, j While other j areas of Western! New York have] issued more] building permits! from 2000-2001] than . Grand j Island, no other j community sawj as large of anj increase from j 2000 to 2001 as! Grand Island did) - almost 100 per-] cent. And the types of houses which are being built are yet another positive sign for the Island. Approximately half of the building permits are for houses that start at $250,000 and work their way up in price.Yet another sign people want to invest time and money into a community that is on the upswing. Also, in addition to the single permit homes, a permit was issued for a 39-unit apartment complex in 2001. No permits were issued for apartments in 2000. The sudden growth change pattern does not come as a surprise to McMahon. "Due to low interest rates, and a small part of it being the recession is starting to change, people are looking into development," McMahon said. When asked if the exposure Grand Island has been getting due to its 150 th birthday has anything related with its re-emerging McMahon responded "Everything positive that happens is helpful." That very increase in development could be exactly what Grand Growth on Grand Island h;is recently picker.: up again. Since Grand Island was iroope'i from trie Seneca land cirj-m in January oi 2001. singie home building permits have been on the fise. Approximately half of the permits issued in 2001 were for high-end houses, which start at 5250.000 in price and work their up. Pictured are two houses, which were built more than 50 years apart. On tne ieit, Terry VonCratgh and Mike McNulty stand in front of Les Wheeler's house in 1956. The Wheeler residency was built on Staiey Road in the mid 13405. On the riyht, is a house currently under construction oh E'as! River Road. As the community grows, it appears the houses that rest on island grow with ;t. continued on page 7 B3F • '■M%%** § -gi #im _? r_ inn *#ik a^fikfnfc f Help Us Celebrate Hf W_MaT*aflBa yre* inf<mnuti<m in Box ———««e*p$»» w&f • mEwaV _r* Grand Island Chamber «►$* C&mmeree 77316sat **"* w» Grand Island Dispatch i Penny Saver 773-7*>7t> \ , - WMMSMTM: isledegrancle.com/2002 Week at a-Glance Saturday Men's Breakfast 'Run with Endurance' Bible Presbyterian Church, 1650 Love Rd., 9 a.m. For more information call 773-7303 Tuesday No meeting for Home Bureau II Easter Break Bridgeview Garden Club Meeting Island Presbyterian Church, 1822 Huth Rd., 7:30 p.m. Thursday General Meeting and Election of Officers Grand Island Historical Society River Lea, Beaver Island State Park 7:30 p.m. NYS INSPECTION • AUTO REPAIRS • BRAND NAME TIRES • BATTERIES , C/\  24 hr. Emergency TT I <ES£ gar *«S3* \  Road Service & Recovery W mmmm fit  773-351 s ira* .  March 30 Crazy Hat Parade - Led by Easter Bunny - 11:30 am - prizes for all who attend Twinkle Toes the Clown - 12-2pm will entertain all the "Little Bunnies" April 5S6 Annual Do-Gooders Bazaar - Crafts £ Goodies for all