Marine Drive

  • Rehabilitation
  • Rental
  • Mixed Use
  • Public Housing/RAD
  • Buffalo, NY
  • 616 units
  • Phase 1, 254 units – in construction

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BWHA) is partnering with the Habitat Company and D+B for the redevelopment of Marine Drive Apartments, a New York State public housing project built in 1950. The project contains 616 apartments in seven 12-story towers located on Buffalo’s waterfront, and over the past decade the adjacent downtown and waterfront areas have seen a wave of development catalyzed by significant State and City funding.

More than 70-years old, Marine Drive’s buildings systems are functionally and economically obsolete, and the site plan has led to the physical and social isolation of the site from the surrounding community. The all-new Marine Drive will increase the number of affordable housing units on the waterfront in a mixed income community, substantially improving the quality of life for current residents and contributing to the ongoing redevelopment of Buffalo’s waterfront. The development is planned as 700 new construction apartments to be built over three phases.

Phase I (under construction) – 254 units. The project underwent a lengthy design review process, and the design incorporates features to reflect the area’s industrial and seaport past.

  • Three buildings with a mix of mid-rise, high-rise and townhouse construction to provide a diversity of building types and help create a pedestrian friendly link between downtown Buffalo and the adjacent waterfront park. The first phase also features a three-story parking garage
  • Extensive resident amenities, including terraces, lounges, laundry on each floor, and parking in the new garage
  • Ground floor space for neighborhood retail/café
  • No off-site relocation is required, and most residents will make a single move to their new homes.
  • Resident incomes range from below 30% AMI up to 120% AMI. Phase 1 incorporates a RAD transfer of assistance for 105 units, which will receive HUD-funded PBVs, as well as an additional 36 PBVs from HCR
  • The buildings are designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities 2020, Energy Star MFNC and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes standards, with full electrification of heating, cooling and domestic hot water and a highly efficient building envelope

Financing came from HFA tax-exempt bonds and subordinate financing, City of Buffalo infrastructure funds, and Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency HOME funds, and BMHA Capital Funds. The project also received a City and County PILOT agreement. Financing includes 4% LIHTC, SLIHC and NYS Brownfield Tax Credits (the project is a Track 1 brownfields remediation). M&T Bank is the bond credit enhancer and equity investor. Project completion is scheduled for 2028.