Buffalo's Planning Board has given the green light to a developer who wants to turn a

114-year-old former warehouse on the West Side into an indoor farmers' market, food production

center and apartments.

If investors are successful in snaring historic tax credits, work could begin this summer at the

former Horsefeathers building at 346 Connecticut St. Developer Karl Frizlen said the $3.8

million project would take about one year to complete.

Frizlen envisions the five-story structure accommodating a unique market featuring an array

of small businesses that produce various types of food. Developers have been talking with a

pasta maker, salsa producer, mushroom grower and a creamery that would operate a fresh dairy

bar at the site.

The market would be located in the basement and on the first floor of the structure. The

upper floors would have 16 loft-style apartments with monthly rents ranging from $1,100 to

$1,400.

The building was once home to Horsefeathers Architectural Antiques and Hollywood Hanks.

Horsefeathers has since moved to a location on Chandler Street in the city's Black Rock

neighborhood.

Some community leaders, including Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera, have been

lobbying on behalf of the project. They said neighborhood residents are eager to see the empty

building transformed into a market and apartments.

During a City Hall meeting this morning, the Planning Board cleared the way for the project

to proceed after determining that it would have no adverse impact on the neighborhood.

Frizlen said he's pleased the city panel approved the development. He added that investors

have already lined up a lender to help finance the project.

The next challenge involves securing state historic tax credits, which Frizlen described as

being critical to the project.

"It's not going to happen without [the credits]," he told The Buffalo News.