Governor Hochul Announces Ribbon Cutting for Eckhardts in East Buffalo

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ribbon cutting for the Eckhardts building in East Buffalo. The $13.5 million project, by Cedarland Development LLC, renovated and converted a 50,000-square-foot, vacant and underutilized building at 950 Broadway into a mixed-use development, featuring 28 affordable housing units and a free Head Start child education program. The building has been unused for 18 years, with portions of the building being vacant for decades. The renovated structure brings new life to the former retail store-turned-office building near one of the most visible intersections in East Buffalo. Governor Hochul previously announced 950 Broadway LLC was chosen with 10 other transformational projects in Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood as part of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

“We are embarking on a new beginning for this long-vacant, prominent structure in East Buffalo,” Governor Hochul said. “Once a blight on the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the historic building will now be an anchor and catalyst for economic development. Homes will be made here, and we look forward to welcoming new neighbors to this Buffalo community.”

In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved more than 11,000 affordable homes in Erie County, including over 7,500 in the city of Buffalo. 950 Broadway continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Located at the corner of Broadway and Fillmore, the former Eckhardt’s department store is now home to the Eckhardt Lofts, which consist of 28 affordable apartments. These range from studios to 1- and 2-bedroom units on the second and third floor of the building. The fully renovated units feature new stainless-steel appliances, gated parking, modern kitchen designs with islands, ample storage, and efficient layouts. These units accommodate a diverse population and aim to bring new life and excitement to the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. The Community Action Organization of WNY will occupy the entire first floor of the building. This 12,000-square-foot commercial space was transformed into the Eckhardts Academy, a no-cost child Head Start education program, which aims to cater to more than 55 families in the community.

Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, with a relatively dense stock of largely historic commercial buildings, was a DRI winner in Round 5. Located in East Buffalo and one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, the neighborhood is the focus of Buffalo’s plan for a downtown investment, with a vision of creating special urban places, key park spaces, retail-oriented streets, improved neighborhood connections, bike and pedestrian connections, streetscape improvements, and public realm improvements. Building on this momentum, Buffalo aims to encourage more redevelopment of vacant structures, provide better connections between anchors and amenities through greenspace, increase affordable housing opportunities, and enhance the streetscape.

To assist Cedarland, New York State provided a loan valued at $900,000 and grant valued at $1.1 million from Empire State Development’s Better Buffalo Fund to support the commercial renovations and building’s stabilization. Additionally, the project was awarded a $427,150 grant for the buildout of the daycare facilities through the Department of State’s Round 5 Downtown Revitalization Initiative for the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) provided $2.1 million in construction and permanent financing toward the affordable housing portion of the project through its Small Building Participation Loan Program. The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) provided a $7.8 million construction loan, as well as a $3.2 million State Of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)-insured permanent loan financed through its partnership with the New York State Common Retirement Fund. In addition to the developer’s contributions, over $2.9 million in Historic Tax Credit Equity and additional incentives from National Grid round out the project’s sources. SONYMA’s Mortgage Insurance Fund provided mortgage insurance on CPC’s permanent financing.

The project is a key element of Governor Hochul’s revitalization of the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, alongside projects such as the Playter Gardens (Cedarland was co-developer on this housing project), revitalization of the Broadway Market, Apartments at the Lyceum, improvements at the Torn Space Theater complex, a number of properties taking advantage of small business assistance through ESD’s Commercial District Program and Building Stabilization Program, and the evolving restoration and repurposing of the Buffalo Central Terminal.

The Art Moderne building — with its rounded facade of granite, terra cotta and stainless steel — was designed by architects Bley and Lyman and built in 1940 as a department store, first by Eckhardt’s and later several other retail establishments, from 1940 until 1957. Later, it served as office space for the New York State Department of Labor.

Cedarland Development Group is a local real estate development company founded by Dr. Fadi Dagher and his son Kevin Dagher. Dr. Dagher’s love for the community led to initial real estate investments, which soon evolved into a mission to positively influence Buffalo’s ongoing renaissance. The company is dedicated to honoring the rich historic history of the area while embracing the future, as exemplified by the Eckhardts project. Throughout this project, Cedarland Development feels fortunate to collaborate with many partners who share their vision. Project financing was completed by the Community Preservation Corporation and construction is managed by Buffalo Construction Consultants.

Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the state more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain State-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide, and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide. More than 40,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

Last August, Governor Hochul announced the Pro-Housing Communities Program. Pro-Housing Community certification is a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in state discretionary funding. Buffalo is one of 162 communities currently certified through that program.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “This adaptive reuse of the former Eckhardt’s department store brings economic development and neighborhood revitalization to a prominent corner in East Buffalo. It complements Governor Hochul’s long-standing commitments and investments in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, including the East Side Commercial Districts program, Broadway Market, Central Terminal, and other projects.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “By breathing new life into the long-vacant Eckhardts Building, Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood is being enhanced with 28 critically needed new, modern homes, and educational opportunities that will benefit the community for generations to come. HCR’s $2 million investment in 950 Broadway is an example of our Small Building Participation Loan Program at work—revitalizing neighborhoods and preserving and repairing rental properties with fewer than 50 units. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to revitalizing East Buffalo through investments that improve lives and create lasting opportunities.”

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “The State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is all about building on existing community assets to create a walkable, amenity-rich experience for residents to live, work and recreate. Eckhardts is a great example of this program at work – what was once a vacant and dilapidated property will now provide much-needed affordable housing, childcare and other quality-of-life amenities.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Congratulations to Cedarland Development and the Community Action Organization of WNY for reactivating the Eckhardt Building, a prominently located landmark within the Broadway-Fillmore community that has been vacant for decades. The name Fillmore Forward could not be more appropriate for where this community has come from and where it is heading, thanks to continued support from Governor Hochul and New York State’s Div. of Housing and Community Renewal and the Department of State.”

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “The Eckhardts building in Buffalo’s historic Broadway/Fillmore neighborhood is experiencing new life after decades of disuse, returning to its role as a centerpiece for the area in its new role as a home to 28 affordable housing units and a free Head Start child education program. This is a terrific reuse of the building and a smart way to help families and individuals access affordable housing that is near to other amenities and close to downtown. I thank Cederland Development for investing in the Broadway/Fillmore neighborhood, Governor Hochul for her focus on expanding affordable housing in our community, as well as my fellow board members at the Erie County Industrial Development Agency for approving a significant adaptive reuse tax incentive package to spur this important development forward.”

The Erie County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors approved $511,175 in sales tax savings on purchases related to the project, and an additional $80,856 in savings on the County’s Mortgage Recording Tax.

ECIDA President and CEO John Cappellino said, “The ECIDA is pleased to partner with Cedarland Development on the Eckhardts Building, a transformational project that is a great example of our successful Adaptive Reuse program. The adaptive reuse of vacant, underutilized buildings is vital to the redevelopment of areas of our community that have experienced generational disinvestment. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I congratulate Cedarland on the beautiful revitalization of this historic building, bringing affordable housing and fee day care services to the community.

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “I am pleased to see all the new developments coming to the Broadway area of East Buffalo between Fillmore and Broadway. The Eckhardts affordable housing complex will add an additional 28 affordable units to this area. My administration is proud to have contributed over $400,000 to this project. Less than a month ago we opened the Apartments at Lyceum in this area featuring 42 affordable housing units. The Eckhardts affordable housing complex will add to that. I thank Governor Hochul for working closely with My Administration to significantly improve this area.”

Cedarland Development Group Founder Dr. Fadi Dagher said, “We believe that this development, along with others in the Broadway-Fillmore community, will be a catalyst for revitalizing Buffalo’s long-neglected East Side. We are grateful for the support of our partners and elected officials who make developments like this possible. This project is central to our mission for the positive change it can bring, and this ribbon-cutting ceremony signifies a new beginning for the East Buffalo community.”

Community Action Organization of WNY President & CEO Dr. Marie Cannon said, “The CAO of WNY is proud to be part of this major revitalization project in The City’s Broadway Fillmore district. This $13.5 million revitalization of the historic Eckhardt Building will allow the CAO of WNY to expand its Head Start Program in one of our city’s most underserved communities. The 12,000 square foot Eckhardt Academy located on the ground floor will feature three Learning Environments and three classrooms, allowing us to serve 24 infants and toddlers and up to 50 preschoolers. We thank Governor Hochul for her steadfast commitment to the children, the families, and the entire East Buffalo Community.”

Western New York Community Preservation SVP and Regional Director Andrew D’Agostino said, “As a mission driven lender and investor, CPC is proud to see Cedarland Development Group breathe new life into a long-vacant structure in East Buffalo. The new Eckhardt Lofts project will help meet the neighborhood’s vital need for affordable housing and community-based services and be a catalyst for continued revitalization. My thanks to Governor Hochul and her teams at HCR and ESD, to Cedarland Development Group, and to Comptroller DiNapoli and our partners at the CRF for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission of meeting the unique housing needs of the Buffalo community.”

Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski said, “The transformation and adaptive reuse of the Eckhardts building at 950 Broadway is a testament to the power of thoughtful renovation and the value of mixed-use structures in revitalizing our communities. By breathing new life into this historic space, we are not only preserving East Buffalo’s rich architectural heritage but also creating vital opportunities for affordable housing and early childhood education. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and New York State for their unwavering support and investment, which made this transformative project possible. This collaboration exemplifies how strategic investments in renovation and mixed-use development can drive lasting, positive change in our neighborhoods.”