Public Statement on the Status of Richmond/Ferry Arts Access & Housing Adaptive Reuse Project.
February 2025
A project rooted in community. The owners of this project are residents of the West Side and Elmwood Village, and have remained deeply committed to sustaining this project for over 10 years. Our project team of neighbors and community members is focused on using creativity and forward thinking to re-activate the former church, connecting artists and small businesses to affordable workspaces that cherish the architecture and acoustic qualities of this building.
Founding principles uplift creativity and local economic development. This project ensures that economic and creative opportunities remain open and accessible for the residents of surrounding communities, including the West Side, Elmwood Village and beyond. The approved design conforms with National Park Service historic preservation guidelines and will transform the former church into accessible performance and rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, offices, conference spaces, commercial kitchen and storage space.
A legacy of dedication to improvements. The building was purchased by the current owners in 2014. The team was successful in quickly executing emergency work securing and waterproofing the structure and reinforcing the facade and foundation of the building. During the same time, we held several community events that influenced strategies the team developed for future plans leading to zoning, preservation and planning approvals in 2017.
Enhancing community connection through art and inspiration. In 2016 a partnership with the AKG public art team brought to life a massive fabric installation project by world-renowned artist Amanda Browder. The unfurling of the fabric over the building was a hopeful moment where owners and residents together dreamed of a future with inspiring, immersive events right in their backyard. Neighbors understood that this building could continue to serve the community, creating opportunities and spaces for connection for all residents. Young residents of Buffalo deserve welcoming creative spaces, nourishing their wildest dreams in an increasingly challenging and disorienting world. That is our vision.
We are not giving up. Our team has been steadily working to close a transaction with new lending partners with a rigorous underwriting process. We have secured and renewed Foundation funding and those funders remain committed to this project along with state and local resources. Because of the time lapse and delays some of our original tenants have had to move on to secure other space. We have renewed letters of intent with some original tenants as well as newly interested tenants. The incoming tenants are partners alongside the team working on this project.
Moving forward, together. We share this update with the community to continue the dialogue, combat false rumors and claims, and to share, most of all, why we need to come together to create more and better tools and systems to facilitate and accelerate community-driven development projects here in Buffalo. In spite of the challenges that this project has faced, it serves as a learning opportunity for the community and as a call to action to other like-minded community developers and small-scale investors in to invest in their neighborhoods.
Our team is coordinating with Council member Rivera’s office to help organize a meeting this spring, likely at the Frank Sedita community center, to present details on our next steps and answer questions from residents.
We appreciate the attention that this project has garnered, and for the outpouring of support from neighbors, visionary leaders, and communities throughout Buffalo. Our team looks forward to working together to finish what we started, and to reach our goal of building a space dedicated to uplifting Buffalo’s arts, economy, culture, and diversity.