Austin weighs in on town expansion
By SJ Nemeth / [email protected]
Monday, October 04, 2026

TOWN OF LOCKPORT Ñ HeÕs been a public servant for almost 30 years, so Supervisor John B. Austin knows a few things about business and growth.

In the past year, 45 new businesses have decided to call the Town of Lockport home and Austin is proud of that.

Twenty-eight of them are along the busy South Transit Road corridor, seven are on Robinson Road, four on Lincoln Avenue and the rest fall on a variety of other town roads.

While the Planning Board recently made an effort to beautify the town through building requirements Ñ they suggested a Dollar General store planned for Lake Avenue use decorative building materials for the front of his building to avoid a ÒcannedÓ facade Ñ Austin said heÕs open to a variety of businesses.

ÒWhat type of business comes in Ñ as long as theyÕre a reputable company Ñ the government shouldnÕt have control of that, I donÕt think,Ó he said. ÒI think there is a need right now for some upscale clothing stores. Maybe a little bakery.Ó

Planning Board Chairman Lester ÒJoeÓ Robinson asked the Dollar General presenter Dean Bryant to check out the Dollar General store in Eden to get an idea of what they want in Lockport.

Austin said the small town storefront look isnÕt viable on the corridor.

ÒA village feel, but not along Transit,Ó he said. ÒItÕs just not genetically engineered for that.Ó



Contact SJ Nemeth at (716) 439-9222, Ext. 6246.



Read more in the Oct. 4 Union-Sun & Journal.
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