A near East Side corner could see new life under plans by a New York City based non-profit organization. HELP USA is seeking to construct 47 apartments at the northwest corner of Broadway and Hickory Street. The project will incorporate the corner building 368 Broadway and preserve the façade of a three-story commercial building at 362 Broadway. A new four-story residential structure would occupy the balance of the site. HELP USA is working with Flynn Battaglia Architects to design the project.
“HELP Buffalo II” will include 15 apartments targeted to homeless veterans with the balance targeted to low and moderate income families and individuals. The project will have 16 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom apartments. The existing corner building (below) will house apartments on the upper floors and also feature a community room and office space for project management and supportive service staff.
HELP USA is seeking Preservation Board permission on Thursday to demolish 362 Broadway (below). According to materials submitted to the Board, the Italianate Style commercial building, constructed between 1884 and 1888 according to Sanborn Maps, is in ‘fair’ condition but its small footprint and high floor-to-floor heights makes integration of the building into the new structure infeasible. The cast iron storefront and decorative cornice will be salvaged prior to demolition and re-installed as prominent features on the design of the new residential structure.
The $12.3 million project would utilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to fund the development with support being requested from the State and City of Buffalo. Construction would create between 50-60 jobs and the building will employ at least three full time people once operational. HELP USA is working on final details to partner with a local social service provider on the project.
HELP USA will apply for tax credits in December and will find out in April if awarded. After six months for the full architectural and engineering to be completed, construction would likely begin in fall of next year with occupancy in 2015.
HELP is a national non-profit developer of service enriched housing with projects in Buffalo, New York City, Newark, NJ, Philadelphia, PA and Las Vegas, NV. In 1999, HELP USA developed the Hickory Street Apartments in a stunning building (below, right) located at the same intersection. That project consists of 25 units of service-enriched housing for formerly homeless adults. Tenants of Hickory Street Apartments pay rent and are employed or participate in programs to prepare them for employment.
Photos by Mike Puma