True Bethel Baptist Church, Belmont Housing Resources, and Creative Structures Services are teaming up to construct a 30 unit residential development at 858 E. Ferry Street. The $6.6 project is contingent on receiving financial assistance from the NYS Department of Housing and Community Renewal. It would be built on a remediated former industrial site in the Delavan-Grider neighborhood, across from True Bethel church, and provide housing for families whose household income is less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
True Bethel Townhomes involves the construction of four multi-family residential buildings and a community center on a 2.94-acre site. There will be 10 two-bedroom units, 14 three-bedroom units, and six, four-bedroom units and parking for 72 cars. Five of the residences will be ADA-accessible while the remaining 25 units will be handicap adaptable. Design features of accessible units include roll-in showers, lowered countertops, lever-type faucets and door handles, tilt mirrors in bathrooms, and visual door bells and fire alarms. Entrances to accessible units will be at-grade with automatic door openers. Silvestri Architects is designing the project.
Unit amenities and finishes include carpeting throughout bedrooms and living dining areas, vinyl flooring in kitchens and bathrooms, drapery rods and/or mini blinds, energy efficient ranges/ovens and refrigerators, ample storage closets in bedrooms, and central air conditioning. Design features of units and residential buildings have also been incorporated to increase resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and provide long-term cost savings. An initial review by the development team’s Green Build Expert suggests True Bethel Townhomes will exceed minimum performance standards in the LEED for Homes Program and achieve Silver Certification.
The community center features a site management office, community room with full kitchen, laundry facilities, a computer room with internet access, and an activity room. A service coordinator will provide tenants with assistance in locating services from other agencies, assist tenants in completing forms, and other services to promote their economic and healthy wellbeing. Regular life-skills workshops will also be held, including presentations on financial fitness, budgeting, and how to establish and properly use credit.
True Bethel Townhomes will also feature ample green space augmented by landscaping features to increase aesthetic appeal. Features will complement existing land uses adjacent to the development site. Exterior patios with furniture and a children’s play area will be provided near the community building for resident outdoor recreation.
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, applicant, developer, and management agent, will acquire the site, obtain financing, coordinate all members of the development team, and supervise construction. The selected General Contractor for the development is Creative Structures Services, Inc.-aka CSS Construction; who is a local Buffalo owned general contractor/Construction Manager firm with significant multifamily experience. Belmont Housing Resources for WNY will also market, rent-up, and manage through the project’s extended use period. True Community Development Corp will be a co-developer in the project and obtain financing for the project.
The Buffalo Common Council signed-off on designating the group as preferred developer of the property last month. The Department of Housing and Community Renewal will announce grant awards in August. If successful, work on the project will start next spring.
