Author: Buffalo Rising

Sometimes the authors at Buffalo Rising work on collaborative efforts in order to cover various events and stories. These posts can not be attributed to one single author, as it is a combined effort. Often times a formation of a post gets started by one writer and passed along to one or more writers before completion. At times there are author attributions at the end of one of these posts. Other times, “Buffalo Rising” is simply offered up as the creator of the article. In either case, the writing is original to Buffalo Rising.

The long-planned redevelopment of the Amherst Bowling Center property at 47 E. Amherst Street is getting closer to starting.  The Preservation Board is being asked on Thursday to approve demolition of the existing 52,000 sq.ft. building to make way for a 130-unit apartment complex. From the Application to the Preservation Board: Please note that the demolition of this property was ordered by the Housing Court of the City of Buffalo. The City of Buffalo wants the building to be demolished and the Court has agreed with the City. This property, which previously housed a bowling alley, has been vacant for…

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Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a significant $166 million funding initiative allocated to 187 water quality projects across New York State, marking a step towards enhancing the state’s water infrastructure, combating climate change impacts, and ensuring the protection of drinking water. This investment is particularly noteworthy for its emphasis on environmental justice communities, with over $101 million dedicated to projects within these areas. In Western New York, the Buffalo Sewer Authority is set to receive $10 million for a wastewater treatment infrastructure project. This initiative includes the construction of an underground storage tunnel along East Delavan Avenue, designed to provide…

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In a significant decision to restructure its resources and better manage its debts, Medaille University, which closed last August, has filed a request with the Erie County Supreme Court for dissolution to enable the sale of its 15 acre Buffalo campus. The potential buyer, Charter Schools Development Corp. (CSDC), a nonprofit organization specializing in charter school development, intends to rent out the property to the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, marking a fresh beginning for the location. The closure of Medaille University, once a prominent institution of higher education serving around 1,600 students across 37 fields of study, was…

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The Restore New York Communities Initiative (“Restore NY”) provides municipalities with financial assistance for the revitalization of commercial and residential properties.  Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the launch of applications for the $60 million Restore New York grant program, which officially opened on February 22, 2024. This initiative, managed by Empire State Development, aims to assist municipalities in transforming blighted and underutilized buildings into thriving residential, commercial, and mixed-use spaces. This announcement aligns with Governor Hochul’s proposal in the FY 2025 Executive Budget to allocate an additional $50 million for future iterations of the Restore NY program. The stated purpose…

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The Mothertime Marketplace Spring 2024 event, scheduled for March 21-24 at the Hamburg Fairgrounds/Grange Building, represents Western New York’s largest family consignment pop-up sale. This event is the perfect opportunity for families to find incredible deals on “all things kids!” Founded in 2006 by Jennifer Ford Berry, a professional organizer, author, and podcast host, the marketplace has grown from 50 to 300 consignors, drawing over 3,000 shoppers. The event, held biannually in spring and fall, offers families the opportunity to purchase a wide range of items at up to 85% below retail prices. The marketplace facilitates a platform for families…

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Laurel Street could soon see renovations on an historic multi-family structure and new infill residential construction. Owner Mark Burke is seeking a variance to residential density to allow six units at 53 Laurel Street where under the Green Code only five units would be permitted.  Under Plans prepared by RAC Engineering, the four-unit building would be renovated and two garden level apartments would be constructed below grade.  One block east, Habitat for Humanity is seeking to purchase three City-owned lots at 84, 86 and 88 Laurel to construct new houses. The new homes would be adjacent to a Habitat home…

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A new story in the labor sector is unfolding, shifting the focus from the physical construction sites of Buffalo to the resilience and ambition of its people. The initiative captures the spirit of a community coming together to address a labor shortage, not just with aspirations but with concrete plans for change. In 2024, the Western New York community and the State of New York will team up to invest $1.1 million into training and placing people into construction jobs using CAHill TECH’s aQuiRe Construction Academy program. This innovative program provides a two month course free of charge, eliminating barriers…

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Mayor Byron W. Brown and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) Board of Commissioners have taken coordinated actions that are necessary to begin work on the first phase of the transformative Commodore Perry redevelopment project. The complex list of approvals, taken by the BMHA, included everything from a ground lease with Perry Homes I LLC and the Perry Homes 1 Development Fund Company, Inc., to the formation of affiliates to handle funding, construction, and management of the new residences, as well as easements for demolition, land clearing, and staging and storing of construction equipment and materials. “This is a huge…

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The amount of leased office space in the region shrank by over 750,000 sq.ft. in 2022 and 2023.  The annual commercial real estate report from CBRE Upstate NY pegs the region’s office vacancy rate at 15.8 percent up from 15 percent in 2022 in a market with nearly 33 million sq.ft. of space.  The national overall vacancy rate hit a 30-year high of 18.6 percent last year. From the report: The Buffalo office market had what appeared to be two tales. On the one had large blocks of surplus office space sat empty with little to no activity, while the…

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Spanning over 36 years in development, a unique, multidisciplinary and multi-generational project is set to launch. The McVAN’S Song Project merges art & music, WNY history, student mentoring, and risk prevention – delivered through education, social media, and community events. Named for the iconic McVAN’S Nite Club that operated at the corner of Niagara and Hertel from 1922 to 1984, the McVAN’S Song Project ‘repurposes’ original music from 1975-1989. Pioneers of our original music scene who played McVAN’S built a local club culture where Billy Sheehan, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Ani DiFranco tested themselves en-route to sustained worldwide acclaim.…

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