The long shuttered Donovan Building adjacent to former Buffalo Memorial Auditorium will likely be seeing a creative reuse. The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation will officially announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 2nd with submissions due by June 30th.
ECHDC acquired the Donovan Building in 2008 and the future of the building seemed to be demolition to make the site read for the non-binding Pre-Development Agreement with Benderson Development. However, the ECHDC has decide that the best use for the building is adaptive reuse since they have invested about $7 million in remediation.
The Donovan Site is located at 125 Main Street and will be divided into three separate parcels, D1, D2 and D3. The RFP seeks development proposals for the D1 and D2 parcels. ECHDC is considering plans to develop the D3 parcel as public space. All proposals must be in accordance with the overall policies and design guidelines of the Canal Side Project, illustrated in the Modified General Project Plan. These guidelines are in place to "ensure that architectural elements celebrate and interpret the historical significance of the Erie Canal and its terminus."
All submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee which is designated by ECHDC. The design will be evaluated based on, "the quality of the development plan and its integration into the overall Canal Side Project, the amount of the purchase offer or lease payment, the ability of the developer to complete its proposal and the overall economic impact of the proposal." A final recommendation will be presented to the board in July.
ECHDC's non-discrimination and affirmative action policy will apply to the preferred developer, who will agree to use its best efforts to achieve: a) not less than 25 percent New York State certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise contractor or subcontractor participation during the development of the project, which includes the pre-construction, construction and operation-maintenance phases; and b) an overall goal of 30 percent minority and female workforce participation during construction.
Additionally, to further promote local hiring in the district, the preferred developer and tenants with more than 30 employees are encourage to use the NYS Department of Labor, the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board and other local job placement centers. The identified workforce agency will be given at least ten days to refer appropriate city residents for employment consideration. They must also participate in workforce development workshops and send a representative to all job fairs by local workforce development agencies.
One thing is for sure, with an open proposal there are sure to be some interesting designs offered which may also inspire other future development Canal Side.
RFP document here.
Great news! A stable, centrally located structure that can be re-used appropriately. Close to many amenities, located on the waterfront, near the arena, etc. All good and reasonable reasons to stress rehabilitation instead of demolition.