Inclusive Urban Development

The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) collaborates with City of Buffalo's Office of Strategic Planning (OSP), along with other city offices, and community agencies to create equitable housing, economic and quality of life opportunities in neighborhoods throughout the city of Buffalo.

"Inclusive Urban Development" addresses the issues of poverty, scarcity of resources, affordable housing, and diversity through strategic investments and community outreach. BURA has a proven history of taking an inclusive and holistic approach to developing communities throughout the City of Buffalo.

Community Building Through Engagement

Envision Neighborhoods

The City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) spearheaded Envision Neighborhoods Initiative.

The project began in the early spring of 2022 to help Mayor Byron Brown reach his goal of addressing the needs of underserved and minority communities in the city.

Through a series of community conversations and surveys, the staff with the office of strategic planning works to understand the priorities and needs of the residents in the community, to help guide and determine future development in the neighborhoods.

You Spoke, We Listened

Better streets
Better sidewalks
Increased housing stock
Improved public safety
Support for small business
More education resources
Job training programs
Better parks
More greenspace

Testimonial

“.... It was really inspiring to have your unified team listen to community suggestions and concerns as to how to make our West Side a better place for all of us.

Listening and Community Input Sessions like these are very important to envision improvements and sustainable opportunities of the neighborhoods we all love and appreciate... "

- Casimiro D Rodriguez Sr., President of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

Creation of Economic Opportunities & Investment

Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center

The Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center is a resource for women entrepreneurs and Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs looking to develop, expand or start a new business.

The exchange is located on Buffalo’s east side and offers resources such as mentorship, coaching, funding, workshops, and classes.

Testimonial

“They’re always available and very helpful anytime I have a question.

I am so glad I found this service when I first started my business.”

- David Townsend, Healthy Vending

Economic Opportunities & Investment

Addressing Vacancy and Blight

Vacant Lot Disposition Strategy

The city’s comprehensive strategy aims to transform city-owned vacant lots into areas that promote the priorities and needs of the surrounding communities.

The comprehensive strategy calls for the redevelopment of vacant lots based on the following considerations: housing needs, improved mobility, parking, transportation, community engagement and neighborhood analysis.

Reactivation of city-owned vacant lots

The top six uses for the lots include: In-Fill Housing, greenspace, energy strategies, green infrastructure, mobility, and strategic development (property earmarked for future use as defined by the City of Buffalo Division of Real Restate).

There are several areas in the city where vacant lots are dense. The city will target its resources on those dense areas. Neighborhoods where vacant lots are dense include Broadway-Fillmore, Genesee Moselle, Masten Park, MLK Park and the Fruit Belt neighborhoods.

The city-owned vacant lots that are outside the dense areas may be listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and the city’s online system.

Immediate Infill

The City of Buffalo Office of Real Estate collaborates with community and local agencies to transform blighted properties into habitable properties available for purchase. Through the Immediate Infill Project blighted properties in the City of Buffalo are demolished, and within 12 months a new home is built and replaces the old one.

Inclusionary Partnerships Financing

The 440 Financing Partnership program is a tool used to create mixed-income communities with the goal of achieving 40 percent affordable housing in neighborhoods throughout the City of Buffalo.

Blighted Properties Plan

The Blighted Properties Plan aims to restore blighted properties in the City of Buffalo and sell them at market value. The initiative is spearheaded by the City of Buffalo Division of Real Estate. The plan is set to launch in 2023

Affordable Mixed-income Housing Through Strategic Investment

In-fill Housing Investment

The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) and the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) are aiming to achieve 40 percent affordable housing in neighborhoods throughout the City of Buffalo through strategic investments.

Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD)

The NFTA and City of Buffalo have released a Request for Qualifications seeking qualified developers for the redevelopment of six parcels that encompass the LaSalle Station Metro Rail station.

Four40 Housing Strategy

The strategy is rooted in the idea that equitable and affordable neighborhoods are not created exclusively by housing, but instead by the collective impact of housing choices, access to employment, and safe and reliable transportation options.

The Buffalo Housing Fund

With American Recovery Plan (ARP) funding, the Buffalo Housing Fund is anticipated to be a long-term, sustainable fund that will support the creation of new affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents.

.

Knowledge Corridor

A new knowledge-based economy is emerging on Buffalo’s Main Street corridor. The Main Street Corridor is now the location of key economic drivers for the city including the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Canalside, the Central Business District, Canisius College, and the University of Buffalo.

Comprehensive Affordable Housing RFP

The City of Buffalo and Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency are anticipating the release of a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Requests for Proposals (RFP).