Sep. 2--Opponents of a plan to close the Glenwood-Fillmore branch of HSBC Bank have decided on a two-pronged response.

One is a grass-roots approach. The other includes sitting down with HSBC officials to explain the current and potential viability of Fillmore Avenue.

About 25 people showed up Tuesday evening at the Ferry District police station to strategize on a course of action. Among the group were many elderly residents, some business owners and elected officials, including County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, Masten Council Member Demone Smith and representatives from the offices of Rep. Louise Slaughter and State Sen. Antoine M. Thompson.

"We're willing to fight for what we have," said Larrone B. Williams, president of the Glenwood/Fillmore/ Kehr Block Club.

Last week, HSBC officials sent a letter to customers announcing that the location will close Nov. 20 and be consolidated into the Broadway Market branch at 1017 Broadway, about a mile away.

Over the years, the Glenwood- Fillmore location has experienced a sustained drop in customer traffic to the point that a relatively small number of patrons now use it as their primary branch, officials said.

Under consolidation plans, accounts will automatically be transferred to the new location, there will be no disruption in service, and customers will not be impacted, bank officials said. In addition, they noted, there are four other HSBC branches within a four-mile radius.

In terms of grass-roots efforts, petitions were distributed to attendees, who were asked to collect as many signatures as possible. Also, a telephone bank was set up to inform residents and business owners of the situation.

Others pointed to current and future revitalization plans for the area.

Jacqueline Hall, an urban planner and director of CAO-UB Center for Urban Studies, outlined the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, for which the City of Buffalo submitted an application to HUD for $15.2 million. The money would be used for "a lot of different activities that will better the community," such as demolitions, rehabilitation and streetscape efforts, Hall said.

Officials expect a decision in December, Hall said.

Earlier this year, Slaughter secured $1.2 million to redevelop and enhance Fillmore Avenue near Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

The money will be used to make improvements, including resurfacing the street, repairing and replacing sidewalks, adding new lighting and landscaping.

Mark Boyd, Thompson's chief of staff, highlighted the $300,000 weatherization program for residential properties surrounding the park. The program is funded by the state and includes energy-efficient upgrades for the homes.

"We believe the bank should stay and has potential if it stays," Smith said. "We have to get into HSBC with people working on revitalization plans and explain existing initiatives and what's going on and how they can be an integral part of that."

dswilliams@buffnews.com

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