Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A total of $1 million in Dormitory Authority State of New York (DASNY) funds has been committed towards the Buffalo Urban League for its recently announced plans for a new headquarters location along Jefferson Avenue in East Buffalo.
The announcement took place at the Urban League's Buffalo United Resiliency Center, located at 1359 Jefferson Avenue, which serves as a mental health and trauma-informed care neighborhood epicenter after the senseless and tragic Tops shooting on May 14, 2022.
Buffalo Urban League President and CEO, Thomas Beauford expressed on Monday the organization had outgrown its home located at 15 E. Genesee Street in Downtown Buffalo, and was looking to consolidate many of its operations from multiple sites around the City of Buffalo.
Negotiations continue, as the Urban League zeroes-in on parcels along Jefferson Avenue to purchase and start construction.
This is the first local commitment of funds towards the project.
New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes hopes this announcement will serve as a catalyst, as the Urban League kicks off its capital fundraising campaign. DASNY funds will be used to reimburse eligible incurred project acquisition, design and construction costs.
"I'm thrilled to commit $1 million to the Buffalo Urban League towards their new Jefferson Avenue headquarters," said Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes on Monday. "I was unable to attend last weekend's gala for the unveiling, so I wanted to be one of the first to show my support for the project. This continues the activation, energy and momentum that Jefferson has underway. The Urban League staff will add to the critical mass being created on Jefferson through Say Yes Buffalo, residential units, and hopefully restaurants and other services soon. I look forward to welcoming Tom and the Buffalo Urban League to the Jefferson Corridor in the very near future."
"The Urban League's decision to relocate to the Jefferson Avenue corridors was very intentional. This funding support is essential in transitioning this project from a concept to a concrete reality," said Beauford in a statement. "This investment will aid in our ability to better serve the community, by allowing us to consolidate many of our satellite locations and centralize our programs."
