A ribbon cutting was held Monday for a large housing project in one of Buffalo's oldest neighborhoods.

The formerly vacant Eckhardts building in East Buffalo was converted into a mixed-use facility, with 28 affordable housing units and a free Head Start child education program.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says it aligns with her administration's efforts to address the housing crisis in New York.

“We are embarking on a new beginning for this long-vacant, prominent structure in East Buffalo,” Hochul said. “Once a blight on the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the historic building will now be an anchor and catalyst for economic development. Homes will be made here, and we look forward to welcoming new neighbors to this Buffalo community.”

“I am pleased to see all the new developments coming to the Broadway area of East Buffalo between Fillmore and Broadway," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. "The Eckhardts affordable housing complex will add an additional 28 affordable units to this area. My administration is proud to have contributed over $400,000 to this project. Less than a month ago we opened the Apartments at Lyceum in this area featuring 42 affordable housing units. The Eckhardts affordable housing complex will add to that. I thank Governor Hochul for working closely with My Administration to significantly improve this area.”

This is just one of 11 projects that are part of Buffalo’s $10 million Broadway-Fillmore Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.