Nearly 50 affordable housing units have been dedicated in a community project to revitalize Buffalo's West Side neighborhoods. Supporters say it's a better option than demolition or gentrifying the neighborhood.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 527 West Utica, the site of the former Club Utica and one of 16 buildings that have been built anew or significantly rehabilitated to become sites for 46 affordable housing units. It's known collectively as the Massachusetts Avenue Community Homes project.
In addition to apartments, the West Utica site will also be home to two storefronts, according to Rahwa Ghirmatzion, development director for PUSH Buffalo.
"We are taking applications from our community residents to see what could come here that is truly community-oriented and is affordable," said Ghirmatzion, who added that early favorites included a children's clothing consignment shop and a food store run by a member of the local immigrant community.
Other features among the buildings include a 'green roof' which allows gardeners to grow plants and vegetables with water collected from rain.
Five years ago, supporters say, options under consideration included large-scale demolitions and gentrification projects. Assemblyman Sean Ryan was among the speakers who praised the option of community rehabilitation.
"People now respect the idea of community-led development for the people who live in this community," said Ryan. "People who want to come into this community because it's so nice, you're welcome. But we're not going to change the community to serve it and we're not going to make the community better only by importing people."
The $13.4 million dollar investment involves numerous partners including PUSH Buffalo, Housing Visions, Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Company, City of Buffalo and New York State. Key Bank assisted with financing for the project.
