BUFFALO, NY- 7/22/2022- Community Services for Every1 is grateful to Empire State Development (ESD) for an award from the Better Buffalo Fund Transit Orientated Development Program. The grant of $500,000 will directly impact the agencies project, ‘Apartments at the Lyceum’. This funding will carry out the adaptive reuse and historic preservation of the former St. John Kanty Lyceum at 97 Swinburne Street, Buffalo by converting it into a 42-unit affordable housing community, of which 12 units are set aside for survivors of domestic violenceand includes 7,600 square feet of commercial space. The commercial space will primarily be utilized by Community Services to provide vocational, afterschool, and healthy cooking/food literacy education services to more than 200 people with developmental disabilities and their families each year. Additionally, The St. John Kanty Parish will sublease the space to prepare baked goods/meals related to cultural/religious events and fundraisers.
Community Services for Every1 partnered with consulting developer Edgemere Development, Inc. on this project. Edgemere Development is a real estate firm focused on affordable and mixed-income housing development. Community Services for Every1 is the owner, developer, property manager and support service agency for Apartments at the Lyceum.
Community Services for Every1, CEO, Mindy Cervoni said, “Empire State Development’s support of ‘Apartments at the Lyceum’ helps address significant unmet needs for affordable and accessible housing in the City of Buffalo. ‘Apartments at the Lyceum’ will create Erie County’s first permanent supportive housing program explicitly developed for survivors of domestic violence. Community Services is appreciative of the funding provided by Empire State Development.”
Community Services for Every1, Vice President of Program Support and Development, Kelly Kinderman said, “We are grateful for the Empire State Development Better Buffalo Fund Transit Orientated Development Program Funding. The funding is a crucial piece to our project development. The award supports our expansion and enhances the services we’ll be able to offer at ‘Apartments at the Lyceum’, ultimately benefiting the Buffalo community.”
Edgemere Development, Project Leader, Brad Mack said, “Empire State Development’s support of the ‘Apartments at the Lyceum’ is a critical step towards seeing this project come to life. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and look forward to bringing this vital project to the Buffalo community.”
More information about the Better Buffalo Fund and its other awardees can be read at buffalobillion.ny.gov/better-buffalo-fund.
Our Mission at Community Services is to partner with individuals of all abilities to reach their fullest potential, protecting their rights and promoting their independence and inclusion in our community.
The Better Buffalo Fund aims to create vibrant, mixed-use, high-density neighborhoods. It is focused on supporting projects that encourage density and growth along transportation corridors and revitalize neighborhood commercial districts. It offers grants and loan funds through two initiatives – Transit Oriented Development and the Buffalo Main Streets Initiative, administered by NYS Homes and Community Renewal.