The Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC) has finalized the purchase of a key East Delevan Avenue property, the first of a dozen planned for the area. Last fall, Governor Cuomo announced $6.7 million in funding from the Buffalo Billion to acquire 50 acres of industrial properties in the Northland-Beltline Industrial Corridor to create a business park focused on the manufacturing and energy sectors.

On December 30, BUDC purchased 537 East Delevan Avenue from Salvage Properties Trust for $250,000. The 10.5 acre parcel has over 300,000 sq.ft. of space that was constructed between 1927 and 1944. The BUDC will be working with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate and remediate the property. The site was utilized by Houdaille Industries/Vibratech Inc. for the manufacture of vibration dampeners and rotary shock absorbers for the truck and railroad industry. Specific operations at the plant included chip turning, assembly of components, heat treating and plating. The plant operated from 1927 through the mid 1990s.

The acquisition is seen as a critical component for the larger Northland-Beltline Industrial Corridor project. Parcels targeted for acquisition include 700,000 sq.ft. of industrial space. One of the first steps will be to form a redevelopment plan for the properties. BUDC is currently seeking to retain a consultant team to prepare the plan that will look at reuse options, infrastructure improvements, and a real estate strategy.

BUDC is actively negotiating with the owners of several additional property owners in the area. The Corridor project seeks to return the properties to productive use, re-establish the neighborhood as a manufacturing hub, attract new businesses, anchor neighborhood revitalization, and provide employment for nearby residents.

Building interior and exterior images by BUDC