65 Grant Street is finally getting some love. It was back in December of 2015 that news of the building as a future player on the street came to light. The securing of a new ownership team and the procuring of a NY Main Street Grant*, boded well for the building, which at the time was in dire straights.
The building/owner had been problematic for years, as it was in and out of housing court. The facade towards the roofline was crumbling (actually falling), and there was a fire in 2015. It looked as if Grant Street was in jeopardy of losing a cornerstone building.
It was only when the previous owner learned that she might be facing a significant demolition fee, that the shake up of ownership began. Before that, it sounded as if we might all be looking at an empty lot in 2016.
Moving forward, the NY Main Street Grant is being administered by People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH).
*Empire State Development (ESD) – Buffalo Main Streets Initiative – Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Company