By: Dinah Aponte

Its more than obvious gentrification is taking place in this neighborhood.

The street roads are already paved. The apartment on the corner of Carolina St. and Niagara St. are being remodeled, while other building are under renovations. At the Shoreline apartments already old building are being replaced by new high rises apartments, which are currently under construction.

I have been informed the high rise apartments will be ranging from $1,000.00 to $1,200.00 a month per apartment. No section 8 or HUD accepted. This will make affordability an issue for those who currently live in the neighborhood.

Further the other half of Shoreline will be replaced also, with higher end apartments, which will cater to higher income and more affluent residents.

This will lead to current residents being relocated to lower income neighborhoods in the Cheektowaga, Black Rock, east side or upper west side areas.

Will Pine Harbor apartments\complex on 7th St. follow?

Only time will tell.

What can the current tenants do to stop this from continuing? Get involved. Call your city council members and State and Federal elected officials and share your concerns. Likewise, meet with community leaders and seek their support.

Organize as a group and speak with one voice, a united voice.

I welcome the beatification and improvements in our community, however, those improvements should not push the current residents out of the place they call home.