Shaffer Village project in Buffalo moves forward

The authority’s board approved a measure authorizing Executive Director Gillian Brown and other authority officials to enter into demolition, financing and land agreements to begin work on demolishing the complex’s buildings and reconstruction of development.

Nadine Marrero, president of Bridges Development, the nonprofit arm of the housing authority, said the new development would create a safer, more family-friendly environment while also incorporating design that fits better into the Riverside neighborhood where it opened its doors more than 70 years ago.

“There will be green areas for storm water, plenty of street trees, play areas, to provide a more family-centered neighborhood for the residents currently there,” she said.

The first phase of the project will include the demolition of existing buildings along Ontario Street and construction on those lots and on an empty government-owned parcel across the street. This phase will eliminate 108 units, which will be replaced with 83 units at a cost of approximately $40 million.

The two-phase project will see the total number of units increase from 233 to 217, although BMHA officials maintain the new development will have space for all existing tenants, as not all of Shaffer’s units are currently occupied. The total cost is estimated between $150 and $200 million.

Plans include townhouses and apartments, with a larger senior building, which will be one of the few buildings in the complex to have a common entry point. This development is the third major renovation project as part of a massive $1 billion overhaul of the BMHA portfolio that includes projects at the Commodore Perry Homes and Marine Drive complexes.

BMHA and Bridges officials said they are working to improve public safety and the tenant experience in all redevelopment projects by creating better sightlines for neighbors and police, improving access for first responders and providing better common spaces and recreational opportunities for residents.

“There are no public streets on the site, making move-ins, move-outs, public safety, ambulances and any other aspect of residents’ daily lives difficult,” Marrero said.

The authority and Bridges Development are partnering with Penman Development Partners, Richman Group and JHM Group for the development, which will use a federal program to convert traditional public housing vouchers to project-based Section 8 vouchers.

That will allow the authority to collect higher rents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said Modesto Candelario, BMHA deputy executive director.

Residents will still spend 30% of their income on their rent, as they do now, he added.

“The contract rents will be based on fair market rents in the area, so they will probably be a little higher,” he said.