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Planning Board OKs project on artist lofts
By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
2/6/2005

Efforts to convert a former printing plant on Main Street in Buffalo to artist lofts have cleared the first hurdle.

The Buffalo Planning Board has approved a preliminary blueprint to turn the Breitweiser Printing building at 1219 Main St. into the Sarabeth Artist Lofts.

Initially, 60 living/working units for local artists will be constructed by overhauling the industrial building and constructing a cluster of new residential buildings behind it.

Will Law of Artspace Projects of Minnesota, which is overseeing the $16 million project, said the goal is to bring the circa 1915 building back to its "original glory" with the clean-lined, modern units juxtaposed behind it.

"We plan to re-establish the main entrance, fronting Main Street, with a first-floor storefront that leads into a gallery. There'll be a lot of glass at the front and back that will let you look straight through the building to the courtyard formed by the new units," Law said.

"We think it will provide a view that reflects the past but speaks to the future."

The existing structure will house 36 units, with the remaining 24 in six new four-unit structures. The lofts will range in size from 900-square-foot efficiencies to 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom apartments. The courtyard area between the structures will provide common space where the artists-in-residence can work, perform and garden. The first floor will offer space for a gallery, local arts organizations and arts-related businesses.

Law, whose group has overseen nearly two dozen similar projects around the country, said interest in the combination studio/residential units has been better than expected.

"We knew Buffalo has a strong, emerging arts community, but the response to this project is even stronger than we expected. So we are planning for 60 units instead of the original 50," Law said.

The expansion also bumps the expected price tag from $12 million to $16 million.

"What started off as an arts building is becoming an arts village," said Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, who invited Artspace to consider Buffalo for one of its developments. "We have so many talented and creative people in this city, and this development will give them a place to grow their art and flourish."

As the project starts to gel, work is continuing on critical funding applications. The project team has until the end of the month to submit a New York State Unified Application, which will put it into consideration for several million dollars in tax credits, grants and low interest loans.

The city has already pledged $450,000, while $250,000 in federal funds has been earmarked for the project. If the necessary funding comes through, construction will start late this year, with the first residents taking occupancy in early 2007.

Artspace has retained two Buffalo firms, Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects and Savarino Construction Services, to act as architect and construction manager for the project.

A community information session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in Belmont Shelter Corp., 1195 Main St., to provide information about Artspace and the Buffalo project.