BUFFALO, N.Y. — C & R Housing project manager Ellen Shareef participated in an East Side Avenue program where commercial property owners on Buffalo’s East Side can gain knowledge and receive experience about how to redevelop their own commercial properties.

In the wake of so many Western New York buildings being demolished, Shareef is taking the knowledge that she garnered and making sure that doesn’t happen with the historic building at 230 Pratt Street.

What You Need To Know

  • C & R Housing project manager Ellen Shareef participated in an East Side Avenue program where commercial property owners on Buffalo’s East Side can gain knowledge and receive experience about how to redevelop their own commercial properties

  • In the wake of so many Western New York buildings being demolished, Shareef is taking the knowledge that she garnered

  • She is making sure that doesn’t happen with the historic building at 230 Pratt Street

“When we moved into the building in the 80s, it was nothing but nothing but cement block walls with pigeons flying around,” Shareef said. “We didn’t use it for office space or anything. About five years ago, we decided to build out one level to show the potential of the building.”

She adds that it will take about two years to get the project off the ground. The first preliminary drawings of the building are already complete. The finished product will be mixed-use space. 

Shareef says that this kind of development is a win-win for residents.

“People will have more housing and more opportunities for jobs," Shareef said.