A vacant lot sits patiently on the corner of Niagara and Hudson streets where the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute has been awaiting its development.
The $10 million project was initially announced in 2019 and was intended to be up and running in 2022.
The unprecedented challenges, due to COVID-19, have set the project back to be completed in 2024 and the cost value has increased by $2 million.
This facility will be Green Energy efficient and will include a theater, art gallery, museum, learning labs, media centers and spaces for lease. The center is designed for the appreciation of arts, culture and learning.
The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York is a non-profit organization that was established in 2010 when the founder, Casimiro Rodriguez , felt a void in the community around Hispanic culture.
“History is very important. Hispanic, Black, Irish or whatever history it is that’s American history because that is what America is made up of. A bunch of different countries and ethnic groups and Western New York is no different,” Rodriguez said.
The campaign has raised nearly $6.3 million towards the project through donations and various grants. In 2021, the project was awarded over $4 million from the City of Buffalo and Empire State Development.
“Help us so we can provide a real good future for our next generation,” Rodriguez said. By Peyton Fletcher and Valerie Ryan
