Salvation Army set to begin construction on Buffalo campus

After years of planning, neighborhood discussions and city review — and surpassing its fundraising goal for the first year of a three-year capital campaign — The Salvation Army is ready to break ground this summer on the redevelopment of its main campus in Allentown.

But first he must obtain three new zoning variances after some changes to his plan conflicted with the Green Code, and he must extend his city approvals for another year as he continues to work with state environmental officials to be included in the brownfield cleanup program.

Salvation Army officials said last week they have already raised more than $3 million toward a $12 million capital campaign. That’s a small portion of the funding for the $100 million redevelopment project, but more than they expected in the first year. It means the nonprofit has all the money it needs for the first phase of the project, building a new 80-bed emergency family shelter to replace the current aging facility.

Work is expected to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony in late summer and be completed in 2025. Officials will now begin fundraising for the next two phases, with a goal of completing the entire redevelopment by 2027.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support we have received thus far,” said Maj. Annette Lock, director of operations for The Salvation Army Buffalo Area Services. “These initiatives will allow us greater flexibility to meet growing needs, expand assistance to a broader population, and provide new and enhanced ministries that will support families.”

The Salvation Army is planning a renovation of its Main Street campus, between Allen and North streets, where it has been located since 1954. Called Hope on Main, the project calls for the demolition of all existing buildings except one: a historic structure at 960 Main that is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

In their place, the agency would build:

• A three-story emergency shelter with 80 private beds.
• A seven-story apartment building along Main with 147 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
• 17 two-story, three-bedroom townhouses for large families, arranged in five groups in the rear along North Pearl Street.

There is also 11,000 square feet of office and support services, as well as a courtyard and 60 parking spaces.

The project also includes construction of the new East Buffalo Salvation Army Church and Community Center, which will house a chapel, offices, an after-school program, summer camps, a youth mentoring program, a gym, a fitness center, a food pantry, a kitchen, dining areas and a music program.

It’s a feature that was added to the original development plan in early 2023. It will replace a 93-year-old beige brick building on Westminster Avenue that was built in 1932 for the agency and now houses its Kensington Corps, as well as religious and social services and a food pantry.

Finally, Hope on Main includes the creation of a new $1 million endowment to fund operations and ensure the sustainability of the campus for the future.

The project was initially approved by the city in July 2022, with four zoning variances, and received one-year extensions last summer. But the nonprofit is still working with the Department of Environmental Conservation on the brownfield process, so it can’t get a building permit yet. And as architects and engineers worked to finalize their construction design documents, city officials realized the nonprofit would need three new or amended variances.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider variances regarding setback, ground floor height and width of blank walls later this month, after which the Planning Commission will approve the revised development plan. In the meantime, the Salvation Army requested and was granted Monday another one-year extension of the original approval.

The project is being phased to minimize disruption. Phase one involves the $15 million emergency shelter, followed by demolition of the old one, a former motel. Phase two involves affordable housing, totaling $75 million, while phase three includes the $10 million community center. Arc Building Partners is overseeing construction.

The $12 million fundraising campaign includes $2 million for the first phase, $5 million for the second and $4 million for the third, plus future endowment. The remaining funding for the project comes from the state, Erie County and the city of Buffalo, including 4 percent low-income housing tax credits, state brownfield tax credits and a $10 million grant from the state’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program.