Investment Will Unlock New Housing, Business, and Employment Opportunities in Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood, Enhance Quality of Life for All Buffalo Residents
Underscores Governor's Commitment To Jumpstarting Upstate Economies, Revitalizing Downtown Communities Through DRI
Renderings Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 11 transformational projects in Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood to enhance the quality of life for Buffalonians and create business, employment, and housing opportunities as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. These investments will leverage the neighborhood's dense stock of largely historic commercial buildings for vibrant new green space, retail-oriented streets, improved bike and pedestrian connections and lively streetscapes. These improvements are part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and uplift Western New York communities.
"We are forging a new path forward for Buffalo — making significant investments that will help continue to rewrite the Buffalo comeback story," Governor Hochul said. "Our investments in housing, economic development, and job creation in East Buffalo will help breathe new life into the community and make it a better place to live and work. My administration will continue our efforts to transform neighborhoods into vibrant community centers and build a better future for New Yorkers."
Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood was named a DRI Round 5 winner in 2021. The specific projects to be funded through the DRI include:
Enhancements to the Broadway Market - DRI Award: $2,500,000
The market's main entryway will be opened up to accommodate amenities including a foyer with a directory, public information booth, flower stall, and ATM machines; creating an outdoor farmers market; relocating tenant spaces on Broadway to be replaced by food-related vendors; and improving circulation throughout the market.
Improvements to the Pedestrian Experience - DRI Award: $1,766,850
This project involves catalytic investment in state-of-the-art wayfinding and signage, new street lighting that is energy efficient and enhances public safety, tree planting, and new public amenities such as public outdoor seating and flower planters to create a more inviting public realm for residents and visitors.
Construction of the Buffalo Central Terminal Great Lawn - DRI Award: $1,000,000
This underutilized grassy lawn will be transformed into a welcoming and highly active green space for year-round use including recreational activities, organized sporting events, and events to drive interest and support for future building uses.
Renovating 239 Lombard To Provide Child Care & Train Child Care Workers - DRI Award: $1,000,000
The first two floors of the existing property will be renovated into a child carefacility that could serve up to 90 children and employ at least 20 people as well as a facility to train the child care workers.
Creating an Innovative Organic Container Farm - DRI Award: $664,000
This abandoned building and its adjacent parking lot will be repurposed into a 1-acre container farm. The solar-powered facility will support packaging and include office space. This will serve an area designated as a food desert with locally grown, organic produce.
Revitalizing Sears Paderewski Park - DRI Award: $630,000
The park will be rebuilt to create a multipurpose gathering space with tree plantings, new hardscape, and amenities, as well as playground equipment, a new pavilion, and civic space. The pavilion will act as a gathering space for small performances, outdoor markets, and a shaded accessible play area.
Creating Affordable Housing at Playter Gardens at the Market - DRI Award: $550,000
The project will create 62 units of infill development consisting of a variety of affordable housing types ranging from single-family rentals to stacked three-story, garden-style multi-family apartment units with a total of over 64,000 square feet of residential space.
Renovating Historic Schreiber Brewery - DRI Award: $500,000
The current property will be renovated into a multi-use flexible commercial space, including brewing production space, a "brewseum", brewing wholesale manufacturing business, and other office, commercial, and residential uses.
Renovating 950 Broadway for Affordable Daycare Center - DRI Award: $427,150
A former commercial building will be renovated into a day care center. The building will be configured into six classrooms, a commercial kitchen, two gross motor play spaces, nutritional storage, office storage, and bathrooms. It will also add an outdoor playground for multiple age groups.
Expanding an Established Neighborhood Bakery - DRI Award: $362,000
A neighborhood staple and one of the largest employers in Broadway-Fillmore, the bakery plans to expand its facilities to the adjacent 185 Sweet Avenue parcel. This project includes the renovation of a vacant structure to expand production capacity.
Improving the Matt Urban Center for Afterschool and Performance Space - DRI Award: $290,000
This project will preserve the building and help the Matt Urban Center meet its licensing requirement for an afterschool program. A cornerstone in the community, an upgraded Matt Urban Center will significantly contribute to neighborhood revitalization through the provision of critical services.
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