The Genesee Gateway is a 60,398 square foot, four-story commercial property that is located at the entranceway to the central business district right off the Kensington Expressway in downtown Buffalo. It is another example of how improvements are being made in the 141st District that will hopefully encourage Buffalo to come alive with tourism and revitalize the downtown district. As a 165-year-old landmark that is being restored by the Genesee Gateway, LLC. it is a partnership between Doug Swift, Joe Petrella and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. Cityview Construction Management is the design and development manager for the project. As early as 1842 this block was home to watchmakers, bookbinders and other craftsmen. This reconstructed area is walking distance to the entertainment district, the ECC city campus, the medical corridor and the ballpark and waterfront area. For more information please call Heidi Nuessle at 716-880-1917.

A new development, called St. Martin’s Village will be replacing the former German Roman Catholic Orphan Home at 564 Dodge Street. The space previously vacant for nearly three decades is a beacon of hope for others who are looking forward to a revitalized area along the Parkway and Dodge Street. It is a $15 million project that will be used to construct 60 affordable housing units: 36 townhouses, and 24 apartments. The units will be for households at or below 50% of the area’s median income. Three of the currently standing structures, two of the three story towers, and the chapel will be incorporated into the final housing development.

The City of Buffalo has committed $2.42 million in HOME funds; the State matched $2.4 million from the Housing Trust Fund Loan Program. The prime investor though is Key Community Development Corporation. The Federal Home Loan Bank of NY has committed $570,000 through its Affordable Housing Program, and the permanent lender will be the Community Preservation Corporation.

Demolition started in June and the construction is predicted to take approximately twelve months. The development plans are pictured. To find out more information about applying for residency you may contact Belmont Management at 716-854-1251.

On November 23, 2010, Erie County Medical Center announced a striking expansion of its Health Campus. The $150 million secured for these projects comes from several sources including $130 million in issued bonds, and $7.5 million from a NYS grant, and the remaining provided by the hospital. Grider Street will be enhanced by the construction of a new nursing home, a 333-vehicle parking ramp, an orthopedic wing expansion, a refurbishing of the adolescent psychiatric clinic, a Transplant and Kidney Center of Excellence, as well as other major projects that will enhance patient care and the reputation of the medical center.

In April, the state approved a merger of Kaleida Health’s Buffalo General Hospital and ECMC’s Kidney-Pancreas Transplant programs. Each of these programs, individually, were too small to attract research funding or expand to handle a growing number of kidney transplant patients. Residents in the 141st District as well as across the city are in desperate need of these services and are elated at the attention and increased level of care this merger can provide. There will also now be a 390-bed long-term care facility. Construction on that facility begins this spring. These new developments will produce construction jobs and are expected to produce hundreds of new jobs once completed. For more information on the project’s progress, you can visit the Erie County Medical Center website at www.ecmc.edu.

The University at Buffalo broke ground on September 14th for its new $46 million Educational Opportunity Center. It houses several initiatives aimed to train urban community members for jobs and preparing them for higher education. The new building will extend and expand UB’s resources available to the downtown community.

The first nursing home built in Buffalo in decades broke ground on August 19, 2010. The $64 million long-term health care facility by Kaleida Health will be constructed in a neighborhood which is considered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a “medically underserved area” along Michigan Avenue and Maple, East North and High streets. The new facility will help to close a gap left by the recently closed Manor, Nazareth, and St. Francis facilities.

The 300-bed project is aimed to replace the 242-bed Deaconess Center on Humboldt Parkway and the 75-bed skilled nursing unit in Milliard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. The facility is 200,000 square feet and is slated to provide long-term, sub-acute and pediatric care, as well as ventilator beds. “The state-of-the-art facility will utilize a household-style design with exceptional living and outdoor space for adult and pediatric residents. This means a better quality of life for residents in our care,” stated Maureen Caruana, Kaleida Health’s Vice-President of Long Term Care. The project is expected to be completed in 2012.

As the tax season starts and many are tempted to reap the benefits of their anticipated tax refunds, Peoples-Stokes cautions you against borrowing rapid refund loans, also known as refund anticipation loans. Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes reminds tax filers that they can receive a fast and free refund by using electronic filing and have their refunds directed into their own bank accounts without taking out a loan. These rapid refund loans are charged from 40%-700% annually in interest. Additionally, the preparation fees from commercial tax preparers to process these loans range from $30-$120, often leaving tax filers with only half of their initial refund after all the deductions. In anticipation of your refund, don’t be fooled that you’ll come out better in the end.

The VITA program helps taxpayers locate nearby volunteer sites that help low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.