Seneca One

Several groups, from police to the Peacemakers, came together to distribute 500 turkeys in downtown Buffalo Monday. But it also showcased the economic consequences and struggles the community continues to face as the pandemic rages on.

Washington, DC developer Douglas Jemal said he is about 90 days away from adding the closed Hyatt Regency to his downtown Buffalo trophy collection.

There are two major building projects visibly underway in downtown Buffalo. One is the Douglas Jemal rehab and rebuilding of the area's tallest building. Seneca One is starting to fill with M&T Bank's tech workers and the outside of downtown's tallest building is a new reddish-brown color. The other project is the much more visible 201 Ellicott St., which is 201 units of affordable housing.

Cities and their downtowns will be 10 years older in 2030, but also very different, as technology changes so many things, including mobility. That is being discussed during the five day conference of the Congress for the New Urbanism in Buffalo this week.

Downtown Buffalo's growing tech hub has landed a new tenant. M&T Bank recently announced plans to create 1,000 new technology jobs at Seneca One, the region's tallest building. Now, 43North is following the bank's lead.

Two major Buffalo development projects received significant approvals Monday before the city Planning Board.