Housing Opportunity Made Equal's (HOME) project at Main & Ferry Streets is coming into focus. The long-vacant, architecturally significant building on the northwest corner is being restored and an adjoining structure is under construction. The new addition has a brick exterior color that matches the historic corner building, not the beige brick depicted in the project rendering. The two buildings will house the offices of the civil rights organization as well as ten units of energy-efficient barrier-free affordable housing.
In addition to providing new housing, the project marries architectural preservation with community development--changing the face of a prime Main Street intersection which acts as a gateway to both the Linwood-Oxford and Cold Springs neighborhoods. It will also provide the first permanent home for the nationally housing agency. Work started in March.
The first floor will provide 3,000 square feet of accessible office space for HOME, now located at 700 Main Street in the Theater District. The increased visibility will enable HOME to serve more clients in need of fair housing services.
The second and third floors will provide ten units of barrier-free energy-efficient affordable housing for low income families. Modest rents from the apartments will help HOME move toward the goal of self-sufficiency.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal is a civil rights organization which, since 1963, has led the struggle for fair housing in the Buffalo-Niagara region. HOME's mission is to ensure the people of Western New York an equal opportunity to live in the housing and communities of their choice through education, advocacy, the enforcement of fair housing laws and the creation of housing opportunities.
Charles Gordon in association with Conway & Company Architects designed the $2.9 million project. Lampanelli Construction is the contractor.
Great project on Main Street. I always looked at that building because it was unique looking, but also rundown. Love seeing that it's coming back to life.