Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Buffalo on Monday to mark the progress of the transformative Commodore Perry homes project. A long-vacated housing complex usually described as the Buffalo "blight", the buildings are currently being demolished, and will soon be replaced with affordable housing and commercial space.
"When this was first built back in 1938, even at that time, people said it looked like a prison. I always think back, 'What were they thinking?' You had the opportunity to build something beautiful, something inspiring, something welcoming," said Gov. Hochul on Monday.
"It should never have looked like a prison. Today, we unlock the doors, throw open the gates, so we can allow beauty to come in. Architecture matters, design matters, it can be lifting, it can lift up the spirit. That's how we make up for the wrongs of the past."
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In place of the 24 buildings that once made up the long-vacated complex will be 27 new, 2-3 story townhouse style, all-electric buildings that will not only be able to accommodate larger families, but provide over 8,000 square feet of commercial space, in addition to offering communal spaces and other amenities to residents, such as a fitness center.
Felicia Bell, a 15-year resident of the Commodore Perry neighborhood and tenant council president says she's excited to see the "rebirth of the neighborhood".
"I just want to see a better state of life for the residents here. I want a new neighborhood, maybe a bank down here, grocery stores, something we can be proud of. Because when we have to go to grocery stores and take care of our business, we have to leave from down here [and] go across the bridge downtown. We don't have too much of anything down here anymore," said Bell with WBEN.
Despite the negative reactions Bell receives when she tells people that she lives in the Commodore Perry neighborhood, she and her fellow neighbors are "Perry Strong" and are optimistic about the changes this project will bring.
Bell highlights another challenge that plagues the neighborhood that could potentially be solved with the investments.
"Sometimes we have squatters that come in here and they just make the people in the Perrys look bad. They really do, and it's not the Perry people, it's people that are not even on the lease, they come in and take over."
Hochul notes that eliminating vacant homes and properties can help curb illegal activity.
"When you build new housing, it stabilizes the neighborhood," said Hochul. "When you have abandoned buildings, or your living in an occupied building next to abandoned buildings, and you have people coming in and selling drugs or illegal guns, it just fosters that environment of illegal activity. These are brand new homes, there'll be a lot of pride associated with that. People will take care of them. There'll be a different philosophy around this neighborhood altogether," she said.
Hochul says that with this $254 million investment, allocated predominantly by through New York State, more investment will follow.
"As we close those prison doors on the past and open up a new place that lifts up spirits and gives them freedom, this community can find out that there are no limits to what it can do. And investors will be paying attention to this. Others will say this is a place that matters. This is a place that has value."