Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today joined Ciminelli Real Estate and the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal for a preview of 201 Ellicott, a mixed-use development on a former City- owned surface parking lot, which features more than 200 affordable apartments and a food market.
Mayor Brown recalled announcing his goal to bring a fresh food market to downtown Buffalo in his 2014 ‘State of the City’ address. His overall vision to enhance the vitality of Buffalo’s core to meet the needs of the emerging downtown residential neighborhood and nearby neighborhoods, also included creation of quality affordable housing.
“I wanted to utilize our City assets to strategically drive new development that was inclusive, provided housing and job opportunities to City residents – all while bringing vibrancy and energy to the downtown core. This site was a critical component of that vision,” Mayor Brown said. “Not only is 201 Ellicott home to Braymiller Market, this $76 million game-changing, mixed-use project is bringing over 200 units of affordable housing to our community.”
“This aligns with my Administration’s priorities to continue to create high-quality, affordable housing to all our neighborhoods – and ultimately furthers our efforts to create and support vibrant, walkable, mixed income neighborhoods where our residents thrive and grow,” Mayor Brown added.
Mayor Brown praised Paul Ciminelli and Ciminelli Real Estate, the project’s developer, for their patience, persistence, flexibility, and their partnership in making the shared vision of a downtown Buffalo for all a reality.
“Buffalo’s continuing renaissance must include affordable housing and amenities to ensure none of our residents are left out or left behind – helping to sustain Buffalo’s communities for generations. Since 2006, we have strategically committed $47 million in HOME funds for affordable housing projects that leveraged
$470 million in development and created over 2,177 new housing units for city residents, senior citizens and veterans,” Mayor Brown said. “With several more affordable housing projects either in the planning stages or under construction, when complete, my Administration will have supported and facilitated more than 3,200 affordable new or renovated units, with many more to come.”
Mayor Brown also thanked RuthAnne Visnauskas, Director of the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal, for its strong support and assistance on affordable housing projects in the City of Buffalo. The Mayor also thanked Stuart Green, owner of Braymiller Market, for creating the fresh food resource that elevates the 201 Ellicott project, while also employing a diverse group of City of Buffalo residents in the market and its warehouse.
“When tenants begin moving into 201 Ellicott in December, everything all of us envisioned for this project and what it will mean for downtown Buffalo, will come true,” Mayor Brown said.