Preservation Buffalo Niagara recently presented at the New York Statewide Preservation Conference, highlighting the organization’s East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Program—an initiative that has worked over the past five years to prevent the loss of historic buildings in some of Buffalo’s most disinvested neighborhoods.
The program was designed to address a critical gap: the need to stabilize vacant historic structures before they reach the point of demolition.
Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the program were funded through a combination of public and philanthropic support, including Empire State Development, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and additional philanthropic partners.
Program Outcomes
To date, nine out of ten of the “Phase 2” targeted properties have been successfully stabilized. These efforts have included securing roofs, addressing structural issues, and preventing further water infiltration—interventions that extend the life of a building and create the opportunity for future rehabilitation. In many cases, these properties were at immediate risk of demolition. Stabilization has allowed them to remain viable assets within their neighborhoods.
Lessons from the Field
During the conference presentation, Bernice Radle and Constance Strother shared both the successes and challenges of implementing the program.
Key challenges discussed included the complexity of working with long-vacant structures and fluctuating construction costs. These realities underscore the importance of flexibility and strong coordination among project partners.
At the same time, several factors contributed to the program’s success:
- A targeted approach focused on high-priority, at-risk buildings
- Strategic investment in historically disinvested neighborhoods
- A preservation-driven framework guiding all project decisions
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Collaboration between public agencies, philanthropic partners, and local stakeholders
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Having an experienced team with an architecture and engineering team that understands historic buildings and how to repair them.
A Replicable Approach
The East Side Stabilization Program offers a model for other communities across New York State facing similar challenges.
Too often, buildings are lost because intervention comes too late. This program demonstrates that early, strategic stabilization can prevent demolition, preserve historic fabric, and create pathways for future investment.
Looking Ahead
While stabilization is a critical first step, it is not the final outcome. The long-term success of these projects will depend on continued investment and thoughtful redevelopment that supports neighborhood stability and growth. Preservation Buffalo Niagara remains committed to advancing this work in Buffalo and sharing lessons learned with communities across the state.
A Note of Thanks
We would love to say thank you to all our partners in this program – contractors, ESD, CRS, The Community Foundation, all the property owners,… everyone plays a role here. It takes a village! We are also grateful to the leadership team at the Preservation Conference for asking us to come and speak on this.