St. John Baptist Church has announced its intentions to redevelop Jefferson Ave, estimating that with proper support significant changes can be made in the area in less than one decade.
Following the 2022 Buffalo Shooting at the Tops located on Jefferson Ave., the church has set its sights on the Jefferson strip as its next redevelopment project. The church’s plan to reinvigorate the Fruit Belt, known as Buffalo’s Black Billion, is in the process of building a open-air farmer’s market on High St., between Mulberry and Locust.
In the past St. John has established a Community Benefit Agreement with the residents of the area it’s developing. As part of the agreement, resident input and ideas are sought and adopted into the redevelopment efforts.
The redevelopment of Jefferson Ave would do much to create job opportunities in the community. It would be a massive step towards decreasing crime rates and restoring Jefferson Ave as a thriving center of commerce.
WIVB’s Tara Lynch, spoke to Reverend Michael Chapman regarding Buffalo’s Black Billion’s current projects and its future endeavors in the Jefferson area. Please click here to read the full article.
