Transformation of 500 Seneca Street Creates 98 Units of Workforce Housing, New Commercial Space and New Economic Opportunity
Redevelopment of Former Brownfield Site Helping to Spur Revitalization in Emerging Hydraulics District
Buffalo, NY, February 18, 2016 – Owner/partners Frontier Development Initiatives and Savarino Companies as well as President and CEO of the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), Rafael E. Cestero, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, and New York State Senator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-63) joined development partners, tenants and community members to celebrate the completion of 500 Seneca Street, a new $44 million mixed-use development in Buffalo, New York. Formerly a vacant manufacturing facility and brownfield site, the now renovated building provides 98 new apartments affordable to the local workforce, commercial space, complimentary retail space and new economic opportunities that will act as a catalyst in the revitalization of Buffalo’s growing Hydraulics District.
“Through their hard work and vision, Frontier Development Initiatives and the Savarino Companies have returned 500 Seneca to its former glory, creating a resource that will serve both the economic and housing needs of this community for generations,” said the Community Preservation Corporation’s President and CEO, Rafael E. Cestero. “At CPC we’re proud to join our partners like Comptroller DiNapoli, SONYMA, and Citi who help make it possible for us to invest in transformative projects that create opportunities for neighborhoods to grow and thrive. I also want to recognize the Governor whose bold economic development efforts are making a real difference in the revitalization of cities like Buffalo, and many others throughout upstate New York.”
The building was originally constructed in 1901 as the headquarters of the F.N. Burt Company. F.N. Burt had a proud history in Buffalo, growing to become the largest paper box manufacturer in the world and employing over 1,500 people. The company was notable for being operated by Mary Cass. In an era when women could not even vote she rose through the ranks from floor worker to CEO. She was one of the founding members of Zonta International, an organization for professional women that began in Buffalo and now has chapters throughout the world. 500 Seneca is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a classic example of a “modern” factory, built for efficiency, but also specifically to introduce natural light throughout the interior.
“In its heyday, this woman-run factory – one of the largest employers in the region – was a progressive symbol for Buffalo’s future,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Today, more than 100 years later, it’s a symbol for progressive economic development led by Governor Cuomo. This once-vacant warehouse has been transformed into a community asset, providing affordable housing and new economic opportunity.”
“The 500 Seneca Street project is a great example of the how the state pension fund is making a difference in communities across New York,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “As trustee of the state pension fund, securing sound investments for the more than one million members, retirees and beneficiaries is my first priority. Our partnership with the Community Preservation Corporation once again has delivered a win for the state pension fund and for New York families.”
“500 Seneca Street is a visionary effort to create a modern, mixed-use building while incorporating its unique historical significance. The building’s innovative elements of design pay homage to its storied past as a modern factory,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “With the help of federal Historic Tax Credits, this project transformed the former F.N. Burt Company and brownfield site into a dynamic space with exciting residential and commercial opportunities that will inject economic vitality into the Seneca Street corridor and connect the hugely successful Larkinville neighborhood with downtown Buffalo.”
“As a city we continue to promote efforts to attract even more investment and create jobs, and the transformation of 500 Seneca Street into a dynamic mixed-use development adds to the momentum,” said City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, noting his role in establishing the Seneca Street PILOT Increment Financing that will fund over $2.3 million in streetscape improvements. “Mixed-use developments that include residential units and retail are essential to the continued growth of our city and my administration appreciates the dedication of Frontier Development Initiatives and Savarino Companies to improving the quality of life in Buffalo’s Hydraulics District, marking a new beginning for this historic building and revitalized neighborhood.”
“500 Seneca St. joins the growing list of affordable housing and community development investments that is increasing quality of life in Buffalo and throughout Western New York,” said James S. Rubin, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). “HCR is pleased to be carrying out Governor Cuomo’s vision of creating opportunity for quality homes in vibrant neighborhoods across the state. Congratulations to the City of Buffalo and all the partners on a job well done.”
The large scale of the project and its designation as both a brownfield and an historic landmark required adherence to mandated guidelines and called for a development team with the financial strength, experience and capacity to bring it to successful completion. It also required a community-focused lender like CPC who understood the history of the building and the district, and the importance of investing in its growth. Today, the former 325,000 square foot plant has been transformed into a mixed-use property featuring 98 apartments affordable to the local workforce, as well as 130,000 square feet of new office and retail space that will serve as an asset to the community for generations to come.
Through a unique Pilot Increment Financing vehicle, sponsored by the City of Buffalo and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, the property taxes generated by the project will be utilized to fund infrastructure improvements along the Seneca Street corridor including the immediate neighborhood surrounding the project. These improvements will create a bike/pedestrian friendly green “complete street” link between downtown Buffalo and the developing Larkinville neighborhood to the east of 500 Seneca.
“Citi has a long relationship with CPC, investing in projects such as 500 Seneca that serve as catalysts for community revitalization. Buffalo’s beautiful architecture is representative of its rich history and this project preserves that, while stimulating additional economic development. For all these reasons, Citi is proud to be playing a part in this initiative,” said Matt Bissonette, Northeast Regional Director representing Citi Community Capital.
“The combination of affordable housing, office space and redevelopment of former manufacturing space is going to be a key driver to redevelop the Hydraulics District and bring economic vitality to this important neighborhood in Buffalo. We’re proud to be part of this exciting new development,” said Jennifer Westerbeck, vice president of U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation.
To create a sustainable, environmentally friendly project and respect the site’s historic significance, the developers restored the building’s essential design and structural elements. The historic windows were either painstakingly restored or replaced in kind. Many of the commercial offices feature furniture constructed of wood, iron and other materials salvaged from the building; large reproductions of original photographs of the building and its occupants adorn the corridor walls.
Modern enhancements include an interior atrium with operable sky-lights, enclosed outdoor courtyard and a state-of-the-art energy efficient climate control system.
Community-centered amenities at 500 Seneca Street include a communal outdoor deck area, a tenant activity center, a two-level, fully equipped fitness center, an art gallery, meeting and training space, a breakfast and lunch café, a first-floor therapy and wellness center, a bicycle storage and repair facility, climate-controlled indoor storage and canine day care. Coming soon are a curated wine cellar and a full service restaurant featuring a wood fired oven and outdoor dining patio. Some of the commercial space is being utilized by community organizations at below market rent.
The 98 residential apartments offer a choice of 32 unique and different apartment unit layouts ranging in size from 600 square foot studio units to 1,900 square foot three bedroom units. Apartment finishes include exposed brick walls and wood plank flooring – a nod to the building’s past. The residential portion of the project recently came on line and is already 75% leased.
The commercial space at 500 Seneca Street spans all six floors of the building. Features of the office environments include energy efficient and comfortable climate control systems, interior green atrium with coffee bar and food service and adjacent secure parking. The commercial space is currently 80% leased with tenants including KPMG, Oracle, Liberty Mutual, ABC Amega, Nervve Technologies, BeneCare, Elderwood Affiliates, Provident Funding, Hoffman-Hanafin, Bradford Energy Capital, Tommyrotters Distillery, Impulse Guide, Leadership Buffalo, OCG Interiors and BCOME Buffalo. Partners Frontier Development Initiatives and Savarino Companies also have offices in the building. Tenants such as Animal Outfitters, W&S Wine Purveyors, Phoenix Rising Spa, The Lunch Box Café, Casa Soldano Restaurant, B. Layne Creations, Hydraulics Fitness Center and CEPA Gallery provide complimentary services for residents, tenants and neighbors.
To finance the transformation of 500 Seneca Street, CPC, along with lender partner Citi, provided a $24 million construction loan. CPC also provided a SONYMA-insured $18.68 million permanent loan through the New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF) which is administered by the office of the New York State Comptroller. US Bank invested $12 million in the project’s federal and New York State Historic Tax Credits.
The firm of Chaintreuil Jensen Stark served as Project Architect. EBS Engineers, Tredo Engineers, Benchmark Environmental Consultants and Watts Engineering all provided consulting and/or engineering services on the project. Savarino Construction served as General Contractor. The facility is managed by Savarino Properties.
Cannon Heyman Weiss served as Historic Tax Credit Counsel. The Slater Law Firm served as environmental counsel. Plante-Moran of Detroit, Michigan provided the third party financial and accounting services required by the Historic Tax Credit transaction.
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About Frontier Development Group
Founded in 2001, the Frontier Group of Companies brings together strategically aligned businesses with expertise and capabilities in the area of large-scale industrial and commercial facility reuse, repurposing and redevelopment. The companies of the Frontier Group include industry leading operations for industrial demolition, industrial dismantling, asset recovery, equipment repurposing, industrial clean-up, site remediation, brownfield redevelopment, facility acquisition, real estate development, energy exploration, energy production, and materials recycling. More information about the Frontier Group of Companies is available at www.frontier-companies.com.
About Savarino Companies
Founded in 2000, Savarino Companies is a full service general contracting, construction management and project development firm. Savarino has completed many noteworthy projects throughout Western New York. Through its affiliate Savarino Properties the firm handles many commercial and multi-unit residential facilities. More information about Savarino is available at www.savarinocompanies.com.
About the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC)
Established in 1974, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) is a nonprofit affordable housing and community revitalization finance company that believes housing is central to transforming underserved neighborhoods into thriving and vibrant communities. We provide innovative capital solutions, fresh thinking and a collaborative approach to the often complex challenges that owners and developers of multifamily housing face. To date, CPC has leveraged approximately $9.1 billion in private and public investment to finance more than 164,600 units of affordable housing. Our work with our partners has helped revitalize countless neighborhoods throughout New York, and provided quality housing for families, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities. Follow us at communityp.com, and on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.