East Side Building Fund

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Objective

The East Side Building Fund is a $10 million joint, consolidated fund that aims to assist in the community-driven revitalization of mixed-use commercial districts on Buffalo’s East Side by providing ESD capital grant funds for targeted building and associated site improvements, such as stabilization measures, facade renovations and interior building upgrades to commercial and mixed-use buildings. 

The East Side Building Fund takes a more streamlined and holistic approach to capital funding. By consolidating the three former ESD/East Side Avenues programs (East Side Commercials Districts Program, East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Fund and Community-Based Real Estate Development Training Program Fund), considers the overall needs of a particular building and funds those needs through one source—cutting down on confusion and eligibility for multiple funding sources so that resources can move into the community more quickly.

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Overview

The fund offers grants through two initiatives—Small Projects and Anchors.

1. Small Projects: East Side Small Projects funding is intended to cover the costs of renovations per building, for stabilization-related activities, exterior facade and storefront renovations, interior renovations, and/or selected site improvements for commercial or mixed-use buildings.  Building owners are eligible to receive grants from a Local Program Administrator of a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $400,000. Applicants must contribute 10% of the total project cost. 

2. Anchors: East Side Anchor funding is intended for projects that are larger in size and scope. Building owners can receive $400,000 to $2,000,000 in funding from ESD to support a stand-alone, single-site, “shovel ready” renovation/rehabilitation project. Grants for eligible activities through this fund should not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total project cost and the applicant must invest a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the total project cost in the form of their own “equity” (e.g., funds that are not borrowed/must be paid back as part of a loan).

Program Purpose & Goals:

The East Side Building Fund is intended to assist projects that contribute to the overall revitalization of mixed-use neighborhood commercial districts by:

  • Building on existing planning processes to ensure that capital investments of public funds will enhance the aesthetics and economics of East Side commercial districts;
  • Stimulating the economic revitalization of East Side commercial districts by providing financial incentives for the rehabilitation of traditional commercial building stock;
  • Fostering small business development, thereby providing economic opportunities and promoting economic activity in neighborhood business locations;
  • Fostering the next generation of developers on the East Side to emerge from the community itself;
  • Supporting owner-occupied, not-for-profit and underrepresented neighborhood-based businesses to improve the overall community’s benefit of revitalization;
  • Preserving significant and historic buildings and providing an environment that attracts new investment to enable the adaptive reuse of these buildings for new enterprises;
  • Preventing further cases of “demolition by neglect” and preserving the existing urban fabric along commercial corridors;
  • Addressing existing accessibility, code compliance, environmental, energy efficiency and health and safety issues to return vacant commercial spaces to active use; and
  • Creating an incentive for comprehensive and enhanced rehabilitation projects rather than deferred maintenance and repair assistance.

 

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Eligibility

Full eligibility requirements will be posted soon. Please check back for updates.

  • The building must be a commercial or mixed-use property (commercial space and residential space) located on Buffalo’s East Side.
  • Applicants must demonstrate ownership of all buildings/real estate considered part of the proposed project. Buildings must be privately owned.

In addition, strong preference will be given to projects that fall within one or more of the following categories:

  • Projects located within identified Commercial District target areas.
  • Projects that involve at-risk historic buildings to preserve the community’s historic fabric.
  • Projects initiated by graduates of the 2000, 2021, 2022 or 2023 Community-Based Real Estate Development Training program.
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Compare Initiatives

Which East Side Building Fund Program is Right for Me?

Applicants should review the guidelines for Small Projects and Anchors to decide which makes the most sense for their project’s size, scale and ability to finance and implement the project. The following – and linked here  – chart assists in comparing the two initiatives:

  Small Projects Anchors
Minimum and Maximum Award Minimum: $100,000
Maximum: $400,000		 Minimum: $400,000
Maximum: $2,000,000
Equity and Owner Contribution Owner Contribution: 10% of Total Project Cost in the form of equity or loan Owner Contribution: 50% of Total Project Cost. 10% of this must be equity.
Total Project Cost Range (with minimum owner contribution allowed) Minimum: $111,111
Maximum: $444,444*

*Total project cost can be higher. Owner is responsible for balance.		 Minimum: $800,000
Maximum: $4,000,000*

*Total project cost can be higher. Owner is responsible for balance.
Administrator Local Program Administrator (LPA) Empire State Development (ESD)
Type of Grant LPA pays all invoices upon receipt. Grant is disbursed upon project completion. Funds are disbursed as reimbursement for eligible project expenditures. 
Soft Costs Included in Total Project Budget No; however, the LPA’s Technical Consultant will provide required architectural, engineering, and/or environmental services for each project. These additional services will be covered by the program at no cost to the property owner. Eligible; up to 15% of total project cost. Applicant may include soft costs such as architectural, engineering, and/or environmental services attributed directly to the delivery of the construction/renovation activities in their project budget.
Additional Application Requirements
  • Copy of Deed
  • Proof of Owner’s 10% Contribution
  • Copy of Current Property Insurance or Letter of Insurance Denial
  • Photos
  • Copy of Deed
  • Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
  • Third Party Cost Estimates
  • Development Team
  • Organizational Chart
  • Corporate Financial Information/Personal Financial Disclosure
  • Sources & Uses/Operating Proforma
  • Commitment Letters/Term Sheets
  • Property Appraisal
  • Project Map, Photos & Drawings
  • Copy of Current Property Insurance or Letter of Insurance Denial 
Application Process Apply to Small Projects here. Apply to Anchors here.
Technical Review Yes; must allow access to the property. Yes; must allow access to the property.
Other Considerations Development experience and project readiness are not part of the review criteria. Prior development experience and project readiness are included as review criteria.
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How to Apply

The Application is a three-step process consisting of a (1) Application Form (2) Application Review and Determination of Finalists and (3) Technical Review—further due diligence and a walk through of the applicant’s building with program staff and Technical Consultants. The Technical Review is limited to a group of selected applicants.

View flow chart

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Small Projects Application Process

Step 1: Application Form for Small Projects

Visit eastsidebuildingfund.org and fill out the online application form and submit by June 27, 2025 at 4 p.m. 
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Step 2: Application review and determination of Program Finalists

Selection Committee will review the applications based on the selection criteria, and determine the slate of Finalists that are eligible for Technical Review.

Step 3: Finalist projects receive Technical Review

Based on the information provided in the application, a select group of building owners will be recommended for an eligibility Technical Review of their buildings by the LPA and Technical Consultants. Buildings selected for Technical Review will be considered Program Finalists. At time of application, the applicant must give reviewers permission and access to their building in order to be considered for funding. 

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Anchors Application Process

Step 1: Application Form for Anchors

Visit https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/ (Program Name: East Side Anchor Building Fund) and fill out the online application form and submit by June 27, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Step 2: Application review and determination of Program Finalists

Selection Committee will review the applications based on the selection criteria, and determine the slate of Finalists that are eligible for Technical Review.

Step 3: Finalist projects receive Technical Review

Based on the information provided in the application, a select group of building owners will be recommended for an eligibility Technical Review of their buildings/proposed projects by program staff and Technical Consultants. Buildings selected for Technical Review will be considered Program Finalists. At time of application, the applicant must give reviewers permission and access to their building in order to be considered for funding.

Click here for more information on using the CFA portal for applying for ESD funds.

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Questions

Questions about the East Side Building Fund Application and should be submitted in writing via email to [email protected] with the subject line: East Side Building Fund.

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Program Timeline

Date Milestone
May 9, 2025 Program Launch
May 21, 2025 Public Information Meeting at Northland Workforce Training Center
June 27, 2025 Application Deadline
July 2025 Selected Projects Chosen as Finalists for Technical Review
July 2025 Building Walk-Throughs
August 2025 Notice to Applicants of Acceptance into the East Side Building Fund Program
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Public Information Meetings & Office Hours

RSVP here for the following public information meeting to learn more about the East Side Building Fund.

May 21, 2025, Northland Workforce Training Center, 5:30 – 7 PM 

 

Office Hours

If you have questions about the application process or want to discuss your project in more detail, program staff will be available for in person office hours at 136 Broadway, Suite 101, Buffalo NY 14203 in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor at the following dates and times: 

  • Thursday, May 29, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday, June 2, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 5, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday, June 23, 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM