The City of Buffalo has filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court to stop construction of a proposed gas station on Miami Street in the Old First Ward, Mayor Sean Ryan announced Wednesday. The proposed 28-bay truck stop and fuel depot is located at 5 Miami Street.
The lawsuit states that “recent site preparation has already disturbed potentially contaminated soil and released soil and materials onto adjacent properties and into the Buffalo River.” The lawsuit continues that the project would reverse the trajectory of the neighborhood, put a strain on city infrastructure, impact surrounding businesses, burden Buffalo Police and threaten environmental remediation.
“This project would have a major impact on the surrounding neighborhood, the Buffalo River, and the public investments we have made in this part of Buffalo,” Ryan said. “We have a responsibility to protect those investments and the people who live, work, and spend time here. It is incumbent on us to make sure that any entity developing a project in Buffalo understands the impact it will have on the surrounding community and does its part to be a good neighbor.”
As part of the lawsuit, the city is seeking an order that would require compliance with municipal requirements and a construction stoppage to allow time for review.