MAYOR MASIELLO BREAKS GROUND FOR EARL PLACE NEW HOMES PROJECT
April 25, 1999
Contact: Peter K. Cutler (716) 851-5841
 

BUFFALO (4/25/99) - Mayor Anthony M. Masiello today broke ground for seven new single-family homes on Earl Place in the city's Ellicott District. The event commemorated the first New Single Family Housing Partnership achieved with an inner city church.

The project is the result of a unique collaboration between the city and the New Mount Ararat Temple of Prayer, who co-sponsored the development of the project with the Buffalo Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation. Following the acquisition of the former Hoffman Printing Plant and three additional lots on Earl Place, Burke Brothers Construction was contracted to build and market the seven new single-family homes. All seven homes have been purchased.

"Providing market-rate homes in the inner city is an important component of my administration's neighborhood revitalization initiatives," stated Mayor Masiello. "Building single family homes, coupled with viable retail activity and decent recreational open space, is vitally important to the revival and maintenance of our city's diverse neighborhoods. This is just another important step in our commitment to sustaining our city. I am especially appreciative of the effort of Elder Dwight Brown and the congregation of the new Mount Ararat Temple of Prayer; their desire for this project and their commitment helped make this dream come true."

The Partnership, through the cooperation of Ellicott District Council Member Barbara A. Miller Williams and the city's Community Development Department, was successful in securing funding subsidies in the amount of $20,000 per unit. The subsidies were provided by NYS Affordable Housing, Federal Home Loan Bank and Community Development Block Grant funding. The homes are constructed in two styles: Heartland and Angela; the pre-subsidy cost per home is $84,500 and $84,900 respectively.