Pioneering a New Buffalo

CARL J. MONTANTE is President and Managing Director of Uniland Development Company headquartered in Amherst, NY. Montante has been developing in Western New York for the last thirty-five years and has been involved in the development of over 12 million square feet of properties, the most recent project being the Avant in downtown Buffalo. Avant is a mixed-use building complete with Class A office space, 28 luxury condos, and a Hilton Embassy Suites Hotel. The extremely successful businessman believes in making a future for the next generation of Western New Yorkers. Listen in on some of his thoughts: “In our community it’s easy to dissect all the mistakes and catalog shortcomings, but it is so much more satisfying to work daily with people and institutions that see the positives in our community today and the possibilities that we share with many others for the future. We have a great community here, and the more I travel, the more I realize that.”

“…Our hope [at Uniland] is that what we are doing spurs other developments in the city.”

“You have to provide opportunities, and we also have to continue working through the issues we have and see the bright side of things rather than the negatives. Our hope [at Uniland] is that what we are doing spurs other developments in the city.”

World of Girls

Terrie Ann Williams Coplin, better known as “TC”, is in the business of enhancing and empowering the lives of our young ladies. An experienced counselor and youth worker for over 19 years, she has helped countless numbers of young ladies by instilling hope, confidence, courage and a realignment of dignity and integrity. But as picture perfect and accomplished as her current life may appear; her life growing up was quite challenging, yet one that uniquely qualifies her to make such a profound impact on our teen girls today. READ MORE...



Renaissance Man

Seymour H. Knox IV is no stranger in Buffalo, after all his family name is all over the city from Knox Farms State Park, to the internationally renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery, to the street named after his late father on which HSBC Arena resides. Catching up with Seymour recently we chatted about life as a Knox, business in Buffalo, and what his day to day life consists of. READ MORE...



Delia Knox Walks

Buffalo native Delia Knox has been in a wheelchair for the last 22 years. On Friday August 27th, she put her wheelchair aside and began walking for the first time since the tragic accident in 1988. Knox, a world renowned singer, song writer, and speaker also pastors Living Word Christian Center with her husband Bishop Levy Knox in Mobile, Alabama. She is known for her exuberant worship music and passion for Jesus Christ. Now she has the whole world watching her walk again, READ MORE...

Investing In his own backyard

Mark Croce, owner of the Buffalo Development Corp. and Buffalo Chophouse is planning a high-end luxury hotel in downtown Buffalo. We caught up with him recently to talk about his plans.

THRiVE!: Where is your new hotel going to be built?

Croce: Convention center area right on the Corner of Franklin and West Huron. The address is 210 Franklin Street. It is a couple of different parcels that have been coupled together. One of them is the Curtiss Building on the corner of Huron and the other is the continental night club and the parking lot that came with, so that is all part of the parcel. READ MORE...