Taking a look at the student housing project underway at 100 Forest Avenue, most people don’t grasp the enormity of the project. The student complex, on the border of the Buff State Campus, encompasses a footprint that extends from close to Niagara Street to Danforth Street. It’s a giant parcel of land that will soon be home to a ten building apartment complex, housing 592 residents (mostly students).

This is such a large project, that it has the ability to strengthen the neighborhood around it. Not only will it be a part of the resurgence of Niagara Street, it will also help to lift up the Forest Street corridor, which connects to Grant Street. Already, one of the city’s most prized bakeries, Luigi’s, is located directly across the street. Maybe the bakery might even spruce up the building facade (new signage and install windows up top) to create a more welcoming destination.

As Buffalo State continues to move west, it will close the gap between the campus and 100 on Forest, which is right around the corner. This development will also influence the direction of Black Rock Harbor and the Western Scajaquada (see here). Who knows, maybe 100 Forest will also help to get the ball rolling with the removal of the City’s car impound, which is located along Scajaquada Creek (near Grant Street).

Once complete, 100 on Forest will be a $25 million complex, sitting on a 22-acre parcel of land. The developer is DHD Ventures.