Buffalo Rising Online

Apr 12th 2007, 6:00am By Gabrielle Bouliane

While it’s not quite time to pack your bags, after two years of research, development, and construction, Artspace Buffalo is ready to open its doors for a public viewing. The national non-profit will be holding its long-awaited first informational meeting for local artists Thursday, April 19, 2007. At that time, public will be invited to this exciting event to tour the new live/work spaces, meet Artspace staff and management personnel, and, most importantly, get additional information about selection criteria. As in other cities, tenants will be selected first by income qualification and then by their ability to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their art. This process will be described more fully at the coming three information sessions, listed below.

Open houses will be held Thursday, April 19, from 5 – 7:30 PM, Wednesday, May 2 from 5 – 7:30 PM, and Saturday, May 12, from 2 – 5 PM. Anyone and everyone interested in finding out more about residency is strongly encouraged to attend. The completed building will contain 60 live/work units designed for one, two, and three person occupancies, and will provide affordable housing rentals from $236 to $769 per month. The project is being seen as a key arts initiative in the city, bringing together the city, developers, and the arts community in a unique process that has already spawned economic growth in the mid-town area. Also of great significance is a document from the City of Buffalo (available on the terrific archive at fixbuffalo blogspot), which outlines recommendations for public and private investment in Midtown. (Ed. Note: Look for a post on that document soon as a part of our ongoing series on using the arts in urban redevelopment.)

As an out-of-town developer, Artspace depends on the generous energy of local arts partners who connect the non-profit with the larger arts community, and sustain the effort over the years required for completion. This is the critical portion of the project devoted to the minutiae: finance projections, property acquisition, City and funder approvals, design, and construction oversight, to name a few. Says Andrew Commers, involved in Property Development for Artspace: “Now, near the opening, which for Buffalo we expect in only six short weeks, we are finally able to refocus on the fun part: the artists. We're at that point now and want to spend time meeting and answering the questions of artists interested in the project's 60 residential units.”

Artspace 1219 Main Street, 14209 Contact the Belmont Shelter Corp at 716.884.2358, ext. 326, for more information.