BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) The largely boarded-up Commodore Perry housing complex in Buffalo is about to move forward with a long anticipated project.
A 10 block area of Buffalo, located in the Old First Ward, is part of a major redevelopment unveiled this week by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority(BMHA).
"I've been pointing out the blighted conditions at Perry for two years," said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) on WBEN Wednesday. "This is beyond the time that this initiative should have been taken."
Higgins said it's all about location. "Look at where Perry is located. It's on the periphery of downtown Buffalo, Canalside, the Old First Ward, the Buffalo River Corridor. It has nothing but potential."
The project would transform the aging housing complex, build in the 1950's into a new vibrant community with affordable and market rate housing.
The Perry complex comprises about 30 acres of property.
"The BMHA is finally putting the attention where it needs to be," said Higgins. They should identify the dimensions of the site and they should put it out for a request for proposals (RFP's). Let the public review whatever comes back from developers and make a choice about what is best for Buffalo's growth."
The fastest growing neighborhood in Western New York right now, according to the congressman, is downtown Buffalo. "The Perry neighborhood is situated in a very attractive place. The sooner we move on this, the better."
On a timeline, Higgins said the Perry site could be redeveloped within 24 months. He said the RFP's should have gone out a long time ago and construction should have already been underway.
"It could be a mix of a public-private partnership. But I want to see a mix of affordable housing in there as well."
The Perry complex was at one time targeted as a possible site for a downtown football stadium. Higgins was asked if that caused the BMHA to drag its feet on the site. "The stadium issue was advanced, in this case, to do nothing," he said.
Regarding a missed opportunity, the Congressman said these are 3 and 4 story buildings that at one time had beautiful courtyards. "Had those buildings been properly sealed, they could have been re-used. Now, there's extensive damage which may require the demolition of buildings that otherwise could have been restored. Not moving more quickly, and more aggressively, has limited the opportunities there."
The project is expected to cost more than $300 million dollars.