UCI begins work to rehab first house

By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor

Renovation work has begun on a house at 31 W. Northrup Place in the University Heights neighborhood of Buffalo, the first structure being rehabilitated as part of the housing acquisition, rehabilitation and resale program begun by the University Community Initiative.

Moreover, UCI is negotiating with a private property owner for purchase of a second house in the neighborhood, and is actively looking for a third. UB and the Fannie Mae Corp. are funding the three-house pilot program. UCI officials are optimistic that other private financing will be forthcoming to purchase and renovate more homes.

As envisioned, the program would stabilize housing-and thus renew the "University Community" around UB's South Campus-by attracting young households, including renters, and baby boomers to University Heights, the most visible and influential neighborhood in the area surrounding the South Campus.

A marketing study commissioned last year by UCI determined that such a housing-rehabilitation project is feasible and would have a positive impact that would be "unparalleled in the region."

Danis Gehl, UCI project director, said exterior work already has begun on the W. Northrup Place house, a 1 1/2-story, four-bedroom, single-family home purchased earlier this month from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Gehl estimated exterior and interior renovations should be completed in about eight weeks.

She noted that the renovation of the house is based on the concept of the block as the "unit of development." Based on this concept, UCI will meet with members of the neighborhood block club to assess other needs on the street. Gehl said that UCI plans to coordinate the efforts of other community partners, including financial-services agencies, community-based organizations, residents and the City of Buffalo, to try to put together a package of resources that would be available to property owners, as well as other activities that could enhance the value and aesthetics of the block.

"We are excited at the prospect of being able to show how efforts of community stakeholders focusing on the whole block can increase the impact of housing-renovation efforts," she said.

Mary Gresham, vice president for public service and urban affairs, noted that the project has attracted national attention and will be featured in Fannie Mae's annual report, as well as in an upcoming issue of National League of Cities Magazine.

The housing project is one of several projects of UCI, a collaborative partnership led by UB, the City of Buffalo and the towns of Amherst, Tonawanda and Cheektowaga to stabilize, rebuild and revitalize the neighborhoods surrounding the South Campus.