© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fruit Belt celebrates 99 years, residents unify against gentrification

Residents of Buffalo's Fruit Belt celebrated 99 years of history Saturday. But they also used the occasion to express their concerns about the neighborhood's future.

The Fruit Belt is adjacent to the growing Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Annette Lott has lived there for 60 years. She said gentrification is a real issue with home and rental costs already rising.

"Right now, we have places here where rents have increased to $1,500 per month," Lott said. "We can see it won't be very long before all residents will be moved out as property values go up along with the taxes."

A new group has been formed called the Fruit Belt Community Land Trust. The group will empower residents to fight back in hopes of keeping their homes as property values rise.