Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The next major hurdle toward revitalizing the Broadway Market in Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore District has officially been cleared.
Members of Broadway Market Management, Inc. (BMMI) and Empire State Development (ESD) presented site plans to the Buffalo Planning Board on Monday for a $40-$45 million project that will completely rehabilitate the historic Broadway Market at 999 Broadway. The plans were unanimously approved by members of the Planning Board after a presentation of the project.
"What happened was great news for us, because it helps us move the project forward," said Peter Cammarata, board chair of BMMI. "We showed them the elevations of what the Market's going to look like on the outside, and some of the improvements that are going to be made. Especially the parking arrangements that are going to take place, and entryways, the visibility, how we're going to harken back to the 1950s and have a market that's wide open and accessible, and a great viewshed from the street."
The overall design of the revitalization will include:
- A reorganization of the internal layout and circulation within the market to cluster year-round vendors along a central main aisle with adjoining areas for growth, and incorporation of expanded areas for prepared foods and food production;
- Razing of the rear parking ramp that has experienced significant deterioration over the years, and replace it with a multi-purpose surface parking/loading area that can also host outdoor events;
- Restoration of various "character-defining" features, such as the Art Moderne curved walls and window features of the building's facade and highlighting of the structure's internal concrete elements;
- Incorporation of new vendor stalls and improved mechanical, electrical and other internal systems;
- New iconic sign elements and lighting on the Broadway and rear facades.
"We're moving forward as quickly as possible to establish a Tax Credit structure. It could be later in this year, it may be the first of the year. But what we definitely are keeping in mind is that the Market will be open for Easter next season, and we will make sure that we do whatever we have to do to get the vendors situated appropriately to handle an Easter season," Cammarata said.
"This is a process that major projects have to go through, but I think once you clear the City Planning Board, then it's I wouldn't say easy sailing, but construction can start," said James Morrell, chair of the Buffalo Planning Board. "You'll start seeing things happening around there, and then after the construction period, it's going to open up and it's going to open up to big fanfare for that community. I think it's really important."
Morrell knows and understands the significance of completing a project such as this for the Broadway-Fillmore community.
"As we know, you've got 998 Broadway - Statler, that was across the street - then you have 981 Broadway, which is the Broadway Market. I grew up in the neighborhood, going to the Broadway Market. It's something that's a fixture of that community for many years," Morrell said. "The East Side of Buffalo is coming back, it's growing, and to have a market right there where individuals can walk to is very important. So this is a big step not only for the City of Buffalo, but the East Side of Buffalo."
There is one particular element to this project that gets him excited going forward.
"When I looked at the presentation, when I was reviewing it before the meeting, I think the transparency, the windows, the very large windows - built in 1956 or so - to be able to look through the windows to see the produce and stuff like that, having that access, that visual access I think is going to be really good," Morrell said.
Design and construction funding for the project comes from a variety of sources:
- $10 million allocation was included under ESD's 2019 East Side Corridors Economic Development Fund, which has financed consultant costs for the business plan, BMMI start-up planning, preliminary/final design and pre-construction services, with balance going toward construction;
- $29 million in 2022 in ESD capital funds for rehab costs under the Regional Revitalization Partnership;
- $2.5 million grand under the Broadway-Fillmore Downtown Revitalization Initiative Plan, awarded for facade improvements.
As the community around it has changed, the Market is now seeking to maximize its relevance to Broadway-Fillmore and expand its customer base to serve as a sustainable stimulus to neighborhood development, as well as an attraction for the entire region.
It's the final major hurdle for the project to finally move forward
It's the final major hurdle for the project to finally move forward
