Empire State Development announced information sessions for the\u00a0$2 million\u00a0east side commercial district program, an initiative part of Gov.\u00a0Andrew\u00a0M.\u00a0Cuomo\u2019s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund. The program\u00a0will provide up to $50,000 in grant assistance to commercial property owners\u00a0in four commercial districts with buildings in need of exterior and interior repairs.<\/p>\n
Interested, eligible property owners are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings in their districts to learn more about program requirements, the application process, the assistance available through the program, and to meet their districts\u2019\u00a0local program administrators (LPA). Information\u00a0sessions will be held in each district throughout November, with final selection of projects expected in early 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis funding will help to revive traditional main streets and commercial corridors in underserved neighborhoods through the preservation of historic buildings, funding of capital improvements, and expansion of commercial opportunities in four east side commercial corridors,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0ESD Acting Commissioner and President\/CEO-designate Eric Gertler.<\/p>\n
The program will expand neighborhood-serving businesses, including retail, restaurants and other services; and increase mixed-use opportunities along strong commercial districts along Jefferson, Fillmore and Bailey avenues. ESD will work with the LPAs to administer the program and allocate $500,000 to each of the four target districts. Building owners are required to contribute 15%\u00a0of the total project costs, and the 85%\u00a0balance of costs \u2013 up to $50,000 \u2013w ill be covered by the grant.<\/p>\n
LPAs were selected for the program based on their experience administering similar programs such as the NY Main Street Initiative and Buffalo Main Street Initiative.<\/p>\n
Upcoming information meetings are being held in the following districts at the following times. Interested attendees should contact the sponsor organizations\u00a0for more information\u00a0and to RSVP.<\/p>\n
See map of eligible districts here<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u2022Broadway Fillmore Commercial District\u00a0\u2013<\/strong> Thursday, Nov.\u00a07,\u00a06 p.m. Coverage area:\u00a0Buildings with a Fillmore Avenue address between Sycamore Street and Paderewski Drive,\u00a0as well as buildings on corner lots.\u00a0Buildings with a Broadway address between Memorial Drive and Reed Street, as well as buildings on corner\u00a0lots. Meeting location: Jericho Road Community Health Center,\u00a01021 Broadway, Buffalo. LPA:\u00a0Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services. LPA program contact\/RSVP:\u00a0Brianna\u00a0Byandagara,\u00a0bbyandagara@780fillmore.org<\/a>, 716-852-3130.<\/p>\n \u2022MLK Park Commercial District\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Thursday, Nov.\u00a021,\u00a06 p.m. Coverage area:\u00a0Properties and corner lots on Fillmore Avenue between East Ferry Street and North Parade Avenue. Meeting location:\u00a0Merriweather Library,\u00a01324 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo. LPA:\u00a0Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services. LPA\u00a0contact\/RSVP:\u00a0Brianna\u00a0Byandagara,\u00a0bbyandagara@780fillmore.org<\/a>, 716-852-3130.<\/p>\n \u2022Kensington Bailey Commercial District\u00a0\u2013<\/strong> Monday, Nov.\u00a025,\u00a08-9 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. Coverage area:\u00a0Buildings with a Bailey Avenue address between LaSalle Avenue and Route 33, as well as buildings on corner lots. Meeting location:\u00a0University District Community Development Association Office at\u00a0995 Kensington Ave., Buffalo. LPA:\u00a0University District Community Development Association. LPA contact\/RSVP:\u00a0Essence Sweat,\u00a0e.sweat@udcda.org<\/a>,\u00a0716-832-1010, ext. 202.<\/p>\n *Note: UDCDA will offer two meetings on Nov. 25\u00a0with the same content at different times.<\/em><\/p>\n \u2022Jefferson Avenue Commercial District\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m. Coverage area:\u00a0Buildings with a Jefferson Avenue address between East Ferry Street and Dodge Street, as well as establishments on corner lots. Meeting location: Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center, 334 E. Utica St., Buffalo. LPA:\u00a0Citizens\u2019 Alliance Inc., in partnership with the Black Chamber of Commerce of WNY. LPA contact\/RSVP:\u00a0Sydney Brown,\u00a0sbrown7333@gmail.com<\/a>, 716-597-0262.<\/p>\n Managed by\u00a0ESD, the commercial districts program is an initiative in Cuomo\u2019s previously announced $50 million East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, part of the Buffalo Billion II initiative. It\u00a0is intended to\u00a0help revive traditional main streets and commercial corridors through the preservation of historic buildings, funding of capital improvements in neighborhood assets, and expansion of commercial opportunities in these neighborhoods.<\/p>\n