Main Theater Place sues Shea's Performing Arts Center

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Main Theater Place (MTP) has sued Shea’s Performing Arts Center, alleging that a major site plan at Shea’s will violate pedestrian access to their property, as well as the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

In the lawsuit, MTP says an easement currently provides space for an entrance and exit into Theater Place. It is located at the rear of the building facing Pearl Street. MTP and Shea’s sit next to each other.

Shea’s plan includes various improvements within the easement that will interfere with pedestrian access, MTP says, some being elderly and disabled. In addition, a four-story building included in Shea’s plan will block apartment windows at MTP, “significantly impairing the value of the Impacted Property.”

The City of Buffalo Planning Board allegedly violated SEQRA when they approved the plan by failing to identify relevant areas of environmental concern.

MTP went on to say that a plan proposed in 2022 would have had a smaller impact on Theater Place, but that it was never seen through, and Shea’s proposed their current plan in July without warning.