Work has commenced on the North Aud Block, a $225m mixed-use development at Buffalo’s Canalside in New York State, US, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The project is set to develop a previously vacant area, formerly occupied by the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, which closed in 1996 and was demolished in 2009.
The new construction aims to provide 251 apartments, 187 of them designated as affordable housing for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income, with the remaining homes let at market-rate prices.
The North Aud Block will also feature 18,000ft² of commercial space, a 20,000ft² community open area and 137 parking spaces.
The site will feature a public canal-side plaza with seating and landscaping designed to block wind and retain heat. This open space will connect the development to the Canalside neighbourhood and the nearby KeyBank Center.
Hochul said: “For too long, the North Aud Block has sat in the shadow of Canalside as a vacant reminder of the past, but today we are rewriting its future as a vibrant destination on Buffalo’s historic waterfront.
“This transformation represents exactly what our strategy was designed to achieve: turning underutilised land into hundreds of new homes and enhancing an important economic corridor.
“By honouring Buffalo’s rich history while investing in the future, we are ensuring Canalside remains a premier, welcoming destination for generations to come.”
Developed by Pennrose, the new buildings are designed to accommodate a broad range of residents, including families and individuals of different incomes and household sizes.
The apartment mix will include studio, one, two and three-bedroom units. The scheme will incorporate energy-efficient and all-electric features, including heat pumps, ENERGY STAR appliances, energy recovery ventilation, water-saving plumbing and electric vehicle charging stations.
There will also be accessible and adaptable homes, with 13 units for residents with mobility disabilities and six for those with sensory disabilities.
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, part of Empire State Development, previously owned the site.
The project is backed by multiple financing sources. The Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program is expected to generate more than $30m in equity, while the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programme is projected to generate over $35m in equity, along with $65m in subsidies.
Additional funding includes $12m from the NY-RUSH programme, $10m from the NY Works Economic Development Fund, and $2.5m from the Regional Council Capital Fund.
Participation in the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program could make the project eligible for about $20m in further tax credits.
