Friends of Corpus Christi, Inc. today announced an award of $50,000 from New York Empire State Development to complete a Master Plan as Phase 1 of the Historic East Village Revitalization Initiative, an initiative that will transform the Corpus Christi Church campus, which is included on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and just steps away from the Broadway Market. The campus consists of five buildings spread over a three-block area, including a green space. The Friends of Corpus Christi envision providing community facilities for workforce development, recreation, office space for community agencies and professionals, urban greenspace and green infrastructure, lodging and cultural/historic tourism at the site. The project was included as one of the top 27 priority projects for the Western New York region by the WNY Regional Economic Development Council.
The Historic East Village is envisioned as the hub for a distinct, vibrant neighborhood and potential historic district. “Congratulations to the Friends of Corpus Christi in being selected as a 2015 CFA Awardee. The church campus is one of Buffalo’s historical, cultural and architectural gems. These funds will help with design costs for the Historic East Village Revitalization Initiative, a project that has the potential to help reshape the landscape of the Broadway-Fillmore community; I look forward to our continued partnership seeing this project through to completion,” stated Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes.
The Corpus Christi campus is poised at the intersection of the past and the future of Buffalo. “As an enthusiastic supporter of the Friends of Corpus Christi for a number of years, I’m thrilled to see that New York State has chosen to invest in their next phase of renovation and redevelopment,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “I have no doubt that this funding will be put to good use, whether it be through the remodel of the Sears Street Community Center, the development of urban green space initiatives, or through workforce training and educational outreach. I thank Governor Cuomo for making this project a priority, and look forward to the progress we see as a result.”
Fr. Michal Czyzewski, OSPPE, Administrator of Corpus Christi Church, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Pauline Fathers & Brothers upon learning of the award. “We are grateful to receive this news just before the Christmas season. The grant will help us advance our vision of the Corpus Christi campus as a beacon of hope for our community as we implement the Master Plan in the years ahead.”
