Empire State Development meetings

Public is invited to respond to online survey now and participate in future community meetings once the COVID-19 crisis is resolved Public input will provide roadmap to create a vibrant and sustainable market Empire State Development (ESD) today announced it is seeking input via a public survey as part of public engagement outreach associated with the initiative to revitalize the iconic Broadway Market, a historic anchor institution in Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. As one of the oldest and largest City-owned public markets in the United States, the Market is seeking to solidify and expand its customer base of faithful community patrons and annual holiday shoppers into a steady clientele that will help support and sustain the 90,000-square-foot site—and fuel neighborhood development. The project’s lead consultant, CJS Architects, is asking for the public’s feedback via the survey on a variety of issues including the mix of market vendors, market appearance and operations, and non-food businesses and services. The feedback will help create a roadmap for implementation and capital improvements that can contribute to the market’s renewed vibrancy and sustainability. Once the current coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis is resolved, CJS Architects and its team will be scheduling community meetings to discuss the project goals and to collect additional feedback on that Market’s future. “The Broadway Market is a transformational project for the city’s East Side,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and CEO & Commissioner-designate Eric Gertler. “This is the public’s chance to provide input on the next phase of renovations and on ways the market can be better integrated into the fabric of the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has committed $4 million in state capital funds to ensure the Market is a sustainable and vibrant shopping hub and regional destination year-round. As one of the oldest and largest City-owned public markets in the United States, it is a focal point for Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood residents as well as a seasonal holiday destination. In addition to the Market’s historic importance, the site is also a food shopping destination for residents seeking a diverse selection of affordable ingredients, prepared foods and neighborhood services. Buffalo-area residents are encouraged to provide feedback through a survey that is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BroadwayMarket2020, as well as on the Broadway Market website and Facebook page. Once the current COVID-19 crisis is resolved, CJS Architects and its team will be scheduling community meetings to discuss the project goals and to collect feedback on the Market’s future. Revitalizing the East Side has been a continued focus of the Buffalo Billion.  As part of the 2017 State budget, the Governor and the State Legislature funded a second round of Buffalo Billion funding, totaling $500 million. Working in partnership with Mayor Byron W. Brown and City of Buffalo staff, state officials have targeted a portion of this funding for strategic investments along Buffalo’s four East Side commercial corridors. As part of this strategy, $65M in state funding is dedicated to the revitalization of Buffalo’s East Side through transformational capital investments in nine investment areas along four East Side Commercial Corridors (Michigan Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Fillmore Avenue, and Bailey Avenue).  The $4 million in capital funds for the Market will seek to ensure it  is a sustainable and vibrant shopping hub and regional destination year-round.  The lead consultant team for this project, CJS Architects, is a Buffalo-based firm that brings 40 years of experience in the design of public and private developments and urban planning projects. Working with CJS Architects is Public Market Development (PMD), a wholly owned entity, founded by its principal Aaron Zaretsky. PMD has provided conceptual, development, fundraising, feasibility, siting, business planning, marketing planning, management and design services to more than 50 cities, counties, economic and community development entities, private nonprofits and private developers for over 40 years, focusing solely on public markets. Notably, Zaretsky was the Director of Seattle’s Pike Place Public Market during its $65 million renovation.  Also part of the team is Developments by JEM, which has over 25 years of community outreach experience, primarily engaging with communities on Buffalo’s East Side by creating road maps for viable and sustainable projects that produce economic development and enhance quality of life. “The future success of the iconic Broadway Market requires it to be an anchor for the continued revitalization of the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. That means is needs to attract a diverse mix of shoppers, including the neighborhood’s long-time residents and new immigrant population, while also drawing foodies and culture seekers from across our City and region,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “I strongly encourage participation in the survey that will drive New York State’s $4 million investment, and build on the more than $2.6 million my Administration has spent on the market since 2009, with another $1.6 million committed to physical improvements.” “We are very excited to participate in the revitalization of Buffalo’s East Side,” said Robert E. Stark, AIA, CJS Architects’ partner–in-charge of the project.  “We believe the resurgence of the Broadway Market can serve as a catalyst to neighborhood redevelopment, but can also become an important destination that will draw visitors from around the city and the region.” The unfolding COVID-19 crisis has significantly affected how events and gatherings are held.  A planned public meeting and additional community engagement hosted by CJS Architects to further guide the team’s design and business planning developments is postponed until further notice.   Contact: Pamm Lent | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309 Laura Magee | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239

This meeting has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

Announced on 2019 Trade Mission, Program to Select up to Five Smart City Testbeds with Funding Support of up to $2 Million New York Municipalities to Partner with Technology Companies to Improve Public Service Delivery and Quality-of-Life Israel Innovation Authority to Provide $1 Million to Support Israeli Companies in New York State Empire State Development today announced the launch of the Smart Cities Innovation Partnership program in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority. The program, first announced during the Governor’s July 2019 solidarity and trade mission to Israel, will designate up to five Smart Cities to connect with technology companies and academic experts throughout the state, using emerging technologies to improve government services and resident quality of life. The program will officially launch this month with educational outreach and formal solicitations of interest from New York localities. Once cities are selected, interested companies will be able to submit technological concepts and solutions to help them tackle their specific challenges, with a strong focus on startups in New York State and Israel. This partnership furthers the Governor’s commitment to helping the state’s cities and towns leverage technology for the public good and drive mutually beneficial trade partnerships between the New York and Israeli technology industries.  Deputy Secretary for Technology & Innovation Jeremy M. Goldberg said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York has made tremendous investments to grow its technology industry and innovation economy. The concept of a smarter city is about using technology to better deliver on government’s responsibility to residents: health, safety, and opportunity. We’re excited about the innovative ideas that will come to life through this partnership between cities, community members, and technologists.” Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Smart Cities provide the opportunity to help municipalities deliver better programs and services to residents while expanding innovative industries that use technology for social impact. I look forward to selecting New York’s Smart Cities and helping them solve their pressing local challenges while creating investment and jobs in the New York economy.” Israel Innovation Authority CEO Aharon Aharon said, “The Israel Innovation Authority is honored to support the Israeli companies that will play an important role in improving government services and quality of life for New York residents. We appreciate the Governor’s commitment to Israel and look forward to strengthening our technological ties with New York.” Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $1 million in funding and the Israel Innovation Authority, which fosters the nation’s industrial research and development, will contribute up to $1 million in additional funding for Israeli companies delivering projects in New York. The application period for municipalities will open the week of March 16th, and ESD will conduct webinars to answer questions about the partnership and build awareness. Chosen municipalities will designate physical or virtual sites to pilot new technologies aimed at improving public services. Beginning in the summer, companies will be able to submit proposals that solve the locally-identified problems and opportunities within each chosen city, with IIA driving interest and submissions from industry-leading Israeli companies. By the end of 2020, projects will be chosen for funding and will be implemented in the municipalities in 2021. To stay up to date on program information sessions, announcements, and key dates, interested New York municipalities, technology companies, and others can learn more here. Three main parties will benefit from this pilot program: NY Municipalities. Under this pilot, local governments may apply to be a designated testbed site for the program and develop smart cities project lists to be funded through the program. Technology Companies. Under this pilot, companies developing smart cities solutions are invited to submit a proposal that resolves a project offered by testbed sites. Innovation assets. Under this pilot, different innovation programs across the state will be selected to fund and assist accepted project proposals. Through this Partnership, New York and Israeli companies will be supported in testing, piloting, and scaling qualified technologies in New York, with facilitated access to top technology incubators, accelerators, and industry leaders operating in New York’s diverse regions. A smart city is any incorporated municipality that leverages technological solutions to promote public health, safety, and welfare, and improves quality-of-life for the residents of the municipality, especially traditionally underserved and under resourced populations and communities. For example, cities that incorporate mobile applications to make public transportation more accessible for residents are leveraging smart cities technology.   Contact: Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212)803-3744 Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 292-5107 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313