Commodore Perry Homes Redevelopment

From Vacant to Vibrant: Creating Affordable, Sustainable Living in Buffalo’s First Ward

The Perry Homes redevelopment project, led by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA) in partnership with Pennrose and Bridges Development, is transforming the long-vacant Commodore Perry Homes site in Buffalo’s First Ward neighborhood. Spanning nearly 19 acres, this ambitious project will revitalize an area long dominated by boarded-up, deteriorating buildings.

The first phase of this multi-year redevelopment, Perry Homes I, began with the demolition of 24 unoccupied buildings. These will be replaced with 27 new structures—three mid-rise, mixed-use buildings and 24 two- and three-story townhouse-style apartment buildings.

Once complete, the redevelopment will provide 405 high-quality, affordable housing units, ranging from one to five bedrooms, accessible to households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income. Of these, 284 units will be supported through a Section 8 Project-Based Housing Assistance Payment contract. Beyond providing affordable housing, the Perry Homes redevelopment will serve as a vital connection between Buffalo’s Canalside and Larkinville districts, strengthening the local community and sparking economic growth in a key part of the city.

LaBella is providing a range of civil and geotechnical engineering services for this project, from concept through construction. Our scope includes conceptual design, construction documents and specifications, and construction administration. We are managing City Board approvals and coordinating permits with the Buffalo Sewer Authority, City Engineer, City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Erie County Health Department, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Additionally, our team is responsible for site design, which encompasses demolition, land planning, utility design, grading, and stormwater management.

Financing for the $254 million project comes from a mix of public and private sources, including $115.7 million in State and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $83.1 million in subsidies from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Designed for Community and Sustainability

Perry Homes I will feature 9,000 square feet of commercial space and an extensive range of on-site amenities. Residents will enjoy fitness centers, community rooms with kitchenettes, playgrounds, multiple green spaces, and outdoor plazas with picnic tables, card tables, benches, and room for gathering and programming.

The all-electric buildings will meet Enterprise Green Communities 2020 Plus certification requirements and U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home standards. Each structure will include high-performance windows, enhanced insulation, and high-efficiency LED lighting to promote safety. Solar panels will be installed on the mid-rise buildings, and all apartments will be equipped with ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, inverter-driven air source heat pumps for air conditioning and heating, and electric hot water heaters. Additionally, on-site surface parking will include multiple electric vehicle charging stations for residents, commercial visitors, and management staff.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

In June 2024, LaBella had the privilege of joining Governor Kathy Hochul and other city officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the Commodore Perry Homes site in Buffalo, New York.

Located in the First Ward neighborhood of south Buffalo, the site will provide residents easy access to the New York Thruway via I-190 at Louisiana Street and Perry Street. Public transportation along South Park Avenue and Perry Street offers quick access to downtown and local employment opportunities. Numerous shopping destinations, healthcare facilities, childcare services, a public library, and a community center are also nearby.

For additional photos, video, and audio of the groundbreaking ceremony, please click the button below:

From the Governor’s Office