Three development projects along a short stretch of Broadway are in the works. Each will bring new life to underutilized or vacant historic buildings not far from downtown.
The farthest along is New York City-based HELP USA’s 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. Flynn Battaglia Architects designed the project that is now out for bid.
“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 will house apartments on the upper floors and also feature a community room and office space for project management and supportive service staff.
At the southeast corner of Michigan and Broadway, a team headed by architect Steve Carmina and developer Roger Trettel is planning a mix of uses for three vacant buildings (above). The Langston Hughes Cultural Center had looked at relocating to the site but owner Sankofa Community Development could not pull off a deal and lost the property through foreclosure. Carmina’s team was the high bidder at a court-ordered auction. Twelve apartments, a jazz-themed restaurant, a space for a cultural group are planned.
And in a purchase finalized yesterday, Barking Buffalo Development LLC purchased 313 Broadway at the corner of Cedar Street for $175,000. Architect Michael Anderson of Abstract Architecture confirms that his firm bought the charming three-story building and will relocate there.