"There is no stronger grit or strength than East Siders. They have lived there, they take great pride there, and they have wonderful communities," says Mitch Nowakowski of the Common Council Fillmore District said.

A new residential complex at Fillmore and Pederewski is now said to be about 70% complete. 

"There’s a reason why we wanted to make sure we were investing in that corner, so that’s a really important project. Pederewski is not only important in Polish history, but also in Buffalo history. That is the gateway, Pederewski and Fillmore, to the Central Terminal," explains Stephen Karnath of Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services.

The project is the Cigar Factory Apartments, which features eleven residential units and one commercial storefront.

"It’s a combination of gut rehab and new construction," says Karnath.

He adds that the goal is to add a coffee shop in the front of the building and the eleven apartments will all be affordable.

"What we’re hoping to do is to build on what we’re doing on Fillmore Avenue with the Commercial District Program and with our home repairs on Fillmore," explains Karnath.

"The Cigar Factory is a signal that Broadway Fillmore is on the move. This is the first project that is bringing people back into the neighborhood to live in a new structure that is lead-free, is sustainable, and fits perfectly into the neighborhood," says Nowakowski.

The estimated completion date for this project is now in the spring of 2021.