Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The "food desert" or food insecurity problem is still among a top priority for Buffalo's East.
The St. John Community Development Corp. and Buffalo's Black Billion Initiative announced Tuesday, exactly one month after the horrific Jefferson Avenue shooting, the purchase of four vacant properties on High Street, right in Buffalo's Fruit Belt District for the construction of a new Farmers Market as well as a Youth Business Incubator for jobs in the community.
"We have been working on acquiring these properties for many years with a specific vision," said Overseer of the project and Pastor of St. John Baptist Chruch, Michael Chapman.
"Now that all obstacles have been cleared and we are able to purchase these properties, our plan is to develop them into High Street Market, an adjacent open air Farmer's Market, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and a Youth Business Incubator for jobs in the community in collaboration with Buffalo Public Schools."
"Our mission is to not only to become an economic stimulator for the East Side of Buffalo, but to cultivate this area's fresh food access," Pastor Chapman added.
$142,000 was paid to the City of Buffalo and $60,000 was paid to Promised Land Church for the lots. Dean Architects and Lamparelli Construction will manage the construction of this project, with an estimated cost of $3 million dollars.
"These four parcels combined together and when fully developed will create an open air farmers market, areas for community gardens, an indoor retail grocery store and apartments on the second floor of the building," said Architect Mark Dean.
"This is the largest faith-based God-driven African American Redevelopment project in the history of Buffalo," said Michael Norwood Sr., Trustee of St. John Baptist.
"This High Street Market project is a continuation of $250.55 million of our $1 billion of development already underway in the Fruit Belt. It is also the springboard to our newest vision, a $1 billion dollar plan to renovate and resurrect the Jefferson Avenue corridor from Cherry Street to East Ferry Street creating jobs in construction, health care, energy efficiency and entrepreneurial training," Norwood added.
Following the announcement of the High Street Market, transportation was provided to take residents to the Tops on Jefferson Avenue to remember and reflect. June 14th marks one month since the deadly and racist hate crime that occurred on May 14th, which took away ten lives.
To listen to the full announcement, see the the player below: