Developer Adds More Land For Planned Muir Woods

Wed, Dec 6th 2017 03:00 pm

 

According to documents filed in the Erie County Clerk's office, Ciminelli Muir Woods LLC — a Ciminelli Real Estate affiliate — paid $220,000 for the vacant land. The sale had previously been approved by the Williamsville School Board.

The property gives Ciminelli another entrance and exit point for Muir Woods.

"The proposed subdivision, The Preserve at Muir Woods, is intended to be serviced by a new public right-of-way along this parcel that will connect to the existing Campbell Boulevard," said Anne Duggan, Ciminelli spokesperson.

The Amherst-based developer, in partnership with Ryan Homes, plans to build 133 single-family homes on 46 acres within the 326-acre Muir Woods property, located just north of the I-990 Expressway and near the University at Buffalo's North Campus.

Residential development will be done in phases and be market-driven. It is anticipated it will take several years to complete the residential portion of Muir Woods.

Private, single-family homes are set for the eastern most portion of the property, with access coming from either Campbell Boulevard or Lynette Lane.

Between developing the homes and building the infrastructure, the residential phase represents a potential $45 million investment in what is now undeveloped land. Ciminelli, alone, will be investing more than $6 million in building out roads, water and sewer lines within the complex.

Ciminelli is working with Town of Amherst and various utility companies on infrastructure planning and other items related to Muir Woods.

Duggan said Ciminelli and Ryan Homes hope to begin residential construction next summer.

Later phases could see the development of some commercial and retail-based buildings.

While the property has 326 acres, between the 46-acre Preserve at Muir Woods and 80 acres set aside for the mixed-use commercial and retail development, nearly two-thirds of the land will remain "green" with no projects planned.

Ciminelli acquired the Muir Woods property from what is now Empire State Development in 2000, paying $2 million for the property. The developer spent several years considering a number of options for the property and more than five years on a telephone book-thick, detailed environmental review.