New York will add $10 million to Buffalo's East Side Building Fund for commercial property renovations, historic building stabilization and development on vacant sites. A new application round is expected to open in the coming months.
The governor's Oct. 8 announcement says the additional money follows $10 million already awarded to 35 commercial and mixed-use projects. Empire State Development has processed 300 applications and advanced 50 finalists since the fund began in May 2025. The new $10 million is an announced funding round, not a set of awards to named properties.
Which properties qualify
Eligible projects must be commercial or mixed-use buildings on Buffalo's East Side. A storefront with retail space on the ground floor and apartments above is one example given by the state. Preference goes to properties in or near the Jefferson Avenue, Fillmore Avenue, Michigan Avenue, Genesee Street and Bailey Avenue business districts.
The fund supports private building renovation, stabilization of historic structures and infill development. The governor's release does not provide grant amounts for the coming round, matching requirements, application forms or an exact opening date. Property owners will need those details when Empire State Development launches the round.
The program combined three earlier Empire State Development initiatives: the East Side Commercial Districts Program, Commercial Building Stabilization Fund and Community-Based Real Estate Development Training Program Fund. The state says those predecessor programs supported more than 60 capital and predevelopment projects and trained local developers.
State and local leaders back the expansion
Gov. Kathy Hochul credited Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes with helping secure the additional funding. Peoples-Stokes said the East Side's commercial corridors should have the opportunity to grow as corridors elsewhere in Buffalo have. Hochul also noted Peoples-Stokes is preparing to retire from the Assembly.
Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight said the new round would provide capital and technical support for the corridors. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the money could help restore storefronts and preserve historic buildings. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also emphasized support for businesses and older infrastructure.
The East Side program is a partnership among Empire State Development, philanthropic organizations and local community leaders. The announced round will follow the first year's application and award process; the state has not named projects that will receive the additional $10 million.
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