Peoples-Stokes, Buffalo Urban League Announce $1 Million for New Jefferson Ave. Headquarters
DASNY Funds will be used to reimburse incurred acquisition, design and construction costs
Buffalo Urban League Building Rendering
On November 20th , Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Buffalo Urban League President & CEO Thomas Beauford alongside members from the Board of Directors, celebrated the announcement of $1 million in DASNY (Dormitory Authority State of New York) funds being committed towards the Buffalo Urban League’s recently announced new headquarters planned for Jefferson Avenue.
The announcement took place at the Urban League’s Buffalo United Resiliency Center, located at 1359 Jefferson Avenue, which serves as a mental health and trauma informed care neighborhood epicenter after the senseless and tragic Tops shooting on May 14,2022.
Beauford expressed that the organization had outgrown its home located at 15 E. Genesee St. in downtown Buffalo and was looking to consolidate many of its operations from multiple sites around the city of Buffalo. Negotiations continue as the Urban League zeroes-in on parcels along Jefferson to purchase and start construction.
Pictured from left: BUL President & CEO Thomas Beauford, Assembly Majority Leader Cyrstal Peoples-Stokes, and Ellicott Councilmember-elect Leah H. Pope.
This is the first local commitment of funds towards the project. Peoples-Stokes hopes that this announcement will serve as a catalyst as the Urban League kicks off its capital fundraising campaign. DASNY funds will be used to reimburse eligible incurred project acquisition, design and construction costs.
Thomas Beauford said, “The Urban League’s decision to relocate to the Jefferson Avenue corridors was very intentional. This funding support is essential in transitioning this project from a concept to a concrete reality. This investment will aid in our ability to better serve the community, by allowing us to consolidate many of our satellite locations and centralize our programs.”
“I’m thrilled to commit $1 million to the Buffalo Urban League towards their new Jefferson Avenue headquarters. I was unable to attend last weekend’s gala for the unveiling, so I wanted to be one of the first to show my support for the project,” commented Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “This continues the activation, energy and momentum that Jefferson has underway. The Urban League staff will add to the critical mass being created on Jefferson through Say Yes Buffalo, residential units, and hopefully restaurants and other services soon. I look forward to welcoming Tom and the Buffalo Urban League to the Jefferson Corridor in the very near future.”