July 12 - Mayor Byron W. Brown and Delaware District Council Member Joel Feroleto announced today that a team from Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo has been chosen to develop an Italian Cultural Center at the former North Park Library, located at the corner of Hertel and Delaware.
“I’m encouraged by the positive momentum we continue to see in neighborhoods Citywide and with more people wanting to live and work in Buffalo, the new Italian Cultural Center will restore this beautiful building in one of Buffalo’s many wonderful neighborhoods,” said Mayor Brown. “I look forward to working with Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo on the transformation of the former North Park Library.”
Council Member Feroleto stated, “We are excited to see the rehabilitation of this historic building. To have an Italian Cultural Center located in the heart of North Buffalo will further strengthen our position as a destination place for all individuals, families and businesses.”
The 90-year-old-plus former North Park Library, located on the corner of Delaware and Hertel, was recently granted landmark status by the Buffalo Common Council. The Designated Developer, Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, is proposing to redevelop the former library into an Italian Cultural Center at an estimated cost of $1 million.
“The Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo is thrilled to be designated as developer for this vital project that will benefit Buffalo for generations to come,” said Dr. Frank Giacobbe of the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo. “The cultural center will further strengthen the Hertel Business District, while promoting Italian culture throughout Buffalo and Western New York.”
The Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote Italian culture and history in the Western New York area. The new Cultural Center will be a meeting place where Italians, Italian-Americans, and members of every community with an interest in Italian culture will gather to celebrate Italian culture and traditions.
After significant input from the community, the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo best demonstrated its ability to be a partner in development. Mayor Brown concluded, “We look forward to working with Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo on this exciting initiative that marks the beginning of a new era for the former North Park Library.”