Wheels of Progress Turning Again for Hostel in Downtown Buffalo

It’s a welcome sign of progress: The city of Buffalo is making repairs to the roof of the Main Street property best known as Hostel Buffalo-Niagara. 

And, with any luck, it could and might be the first step toward the hostel moving back in. 

On Tuesday, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency introduced a proposed board action to enter into a contract for $1.25 million “for stabilization of the roof and required shoring associated with stabilization of the floors below” on the property listed as 667 Main Street and 664 Washington Street, opposite ends of the same building in which the hostel was located, until it was abruptly closed in April. 

“BURA leadership recognizes this project as a high priority due to the level of concern and time-sensitive nature of the needed repairs,” according to the motion. “BURA cannot take a chance on this building withstanding another winter. Therefore, the agency reached out to the acceptable low bidder (Lakeside Construction) with a request to hold their price of $1,250,000 for the repair of the roof. 

“We will continue to remain engaged with potential buyers in our efforts to sell the property and bring monthly board updates on the project until completion or sale of the property.” 

In the meantime, the hostel’s board has identified developer Sam Savarino as a partner for taking on additional work to restore the hostel, should it be allowed to resume residency in the space. 

As first reported by Investigative Post following the BURA meeting, the board “has been talking with potential buyers,” but the building “is not yet on the market,” something that wouldn’t happen until the property is structurally sound. 

The ideal outcome for the hostel, as it stands now, is for Savarino to acquire the building from the city. At that point, his development company would begin making any repairs needed to the hostel, including an overhaul of the electrical wiring that was noted by the city as part of the reason why the hostel was closed and forced to move out of the Main Street location in the spring. 

“We hope the city stays true to their word that everyone is interested in the hostel reopening,” says Katherine Pessecow, the hostel board’s president. 

Savarino and the hostel’s board have worked together in the past to come up with blueprints on improvements and repairs to the building, including the possibility of apartments on the Washington Street side of the property, while allowing the hostel to continue its work of providing affordable sleeping accommodations for people visiting Buffalo from out of town and taking advantage of its location in the heart of the Theatre District, she says. 

“We’re hopeful that these repairs will allow the hostel to reopen,” Pessecow says. “It’s great to see that BURA is working towards renovating the building. BURA’s been very communicative, and there’s been a sense of urgency” to get the roof repaired to prevent further damage from the elements. 

She’s also optimistic that the city will want to work with the hostel, even with the change in leadership under new acting Mayor Chris Scanlon, and to honor the commitment the city has previously shown to the hostel. 

“It was built in the ‘90s with taxpayer money, and it makes sense to continue at the location for the purpose it’s been built in,” Pessecow says. 

The hostel’s board has not been allowed into the space since it was evicted in the spring; she says she’s unsure whether any repairs will be needed before it can resume operation should Savarino be approved as the developer and assume control of the property. The hostel would also be able to begin welcoming guests again while the other side of the building is under reconstruction and improvement without any problems, Pessecow says. 

“We have schematic plans developed. We’re utilizing what used to be called Floyd Albert Associates, now Azar Designs, and we’ve done a lot of work on it,” Savarino adds. “We’ve done our homework, and there is a plan extended that would be complementary to the hostel (for the rear half of the property), and the hostel approves” of the design, he says. 

Savarino says that while it might still be a ways off, he’s optimistic for the future of the hostel—one that includes it staying on Main Street. As a developer, he’s involved and invested in other properties across the city and Western New York, but it seems he has a soft spot for the hostel. 

“It’s hard not to support them,” he says. “They’ve put a lot of effort into doing what they’re doing—to provide a hostel right where a hostel should be in Buffalo. It’s hard not to want this to succeed. When you see an opportunity that you can help, you want to help.” 

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