Mayor Byron W. Brown and People Inc. broke ground for the new Jefferson Avenue Apartments today. Located at 1140 and 1166 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, the apartments will be a vibrant community with individuals of mixed incomes and those with developmental disabilities who live independently and part of the strategic transformation that’s underway in this historic neighborhood. 

The highly anticipated site development is located on two lots running between Dodge Street and Northampton on Jefferson Avenue. It will consist of 84 mixed-income apartments, with approximately 16 to be reserved for individuals with developmental disabilities who live independently. 

The $24 million site development anticipates funding sources coming from the City of Buffalo, Empire State Development, NYS Housing Finance Agency, NYS Housing and Community Renewal and the NYS Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits and State Low-income Housing Tax Credit. 

Mayor Byron W. Brown stated, “From the day I took office over a decade ago, we’ve aggressively supported affordable housing in Buffalo and this project is a great fit for the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood, complementing my Administration’s $50 million investment plan for this community. Since 2006, we’ve invested over $34 million in affordable housing, an investment that has leveraged over $333 million in residential development and the creation of over 1,400 units of affordable housing citywide. I applaud People Inc. for these mixed-income apartments that include units designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, a wonderful new contribution to the historic Jefferson Avenue neighborhood.”

“I’m proud to help move the new Jefferson Apartments site development forward during this exciting time, as well as to be part of the historic corridor and the community’s vibrant history,” said Rhonda Frederick, president and CEO, People Inc. “We are so pleased to have the support of many community leaders and groups as we work together to provide an affordable housing opportunity for seniors, people with disabilities and others in need.” 

The apartment buildings will feature both one and two-bedroom units available and will also contain a community room with a small kitchen, on-site laundry facilities, ample green space, courtyards and off-street parking. The apartments will also be near a major bus route and easily accessible to a number of services and retail shops. The total square footage of the residential part of the buildings equals approximately 95,000 sq. ft. with 21,000 sq. ft. of commercial space between, which will house a small People Inc. recruitment and program services office.

Well known for its development of group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities and affordable housing for very low-income senior citizens, People Inc. continues to serve our community by bringing various audiences together for a unique housing model.

People Inc., along with its development team partners, Sinatra and Company Real Estate, Creative Structures Services, Bellamy Enterprises LLC and Long Associates Architects, have all come together to add this new contribution to the historic Jefferson neighborhood. 

People Inc. is proud to have support from many agency leaders and elected officials: 

Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said: “Congratulations to the entire development team for a project that complements the surrounding community. People Inc. understands that new, mixed-income, safe quality housing for the disabled and others are not mutually exclusive concepts; people not only deserve it all but they will get it all. This is a great project for Jefferson Avenue to increase its vibrancy and hopefully will serve as a catalyst for additional development in the commercial corridor.”

Senator Tim Kennedy said: “Once again, People Inc. is working to provide affordable housing in Buffalo to those who need it most. This multi-million dollar project will be a place to call home for many, and will strengthen the walkability and accessibility of this historic neighborhood. Congratulations to those that are working tirelessly to move this project forward, and a big thank you to People Inc. for its continued commitment to our city."

People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,500 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. To learn more, visit people-inc.org. Like us on Facebook at People Inc. and follow us on Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

ABOUT SINATRA & COMPANY REAL ESTATE
Sinatra & Company Real Estate (www.SinatraAndCompany.com) is a developer and investor in value-add real estate opportunities including market rate and affordable housing, mixed-use and commercial properties.  The company has invested in over $330 million in real estate assets in Western New York and greater Chicagoland which includes funding from the Pritzker/Vlock Family Office amongst other investors, as well as local, regional and national banks.  Today, in addition to its investment and development groups, Sinatra manages all of its properties through its world-class property management arm.