named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Buffalo Bike Blast
Event celebrating Harley Davidson’s 100th Anniversary, produced for three years
Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor
Waterfront music festival held annually from 1998 to 2013 to promote Buffalo's waterfront
Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Annual winter event marking the holiday season with tree lighting and festivities
Downtown Country Market
Weekly market offering local goods and produce in Downtown Buffalo
Queen City Social
Community gathering event in Downtown Buffalo aimed at fostering social engagement
Rotary Rink
Free ice skating venue in Downtown Buffalo during winter months
Thursday & Main
Free weekly outdoor summer concert series held at Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo, continuing the legacy of Thursday at the Square
Thursday at the Square
Historic free outdoor concert and happy hour series that ran from 1987 to 2013, held weekly in summer months
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Business Improvement District Management 2 activities
- Downtown revitalization and economic developmentEngages in comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts in Buffalo, NY, focused on improving economic health, quality of life, and workforce activity within a defined geographic area. Activities include supporting residential development, enhancing access to educational and job training institutions, and promoting vibrancy through cleanliness, safety, and community engagement initiatives.
- Management and promotion of entertainment and cultural districtsSupports and promotes a diverse downtown entertainment district including Broadway shows, regional and local theater, bars, restaurants, live music venues, dance clubs, and professional sports facilities to enhance downtown visitation and economic activity.
-
-
Student and Camp Transportation Services 1 activity
- Operation of public transportation servicesOperates a light rail rapid transit system along Main Street from the Buffalo waterfront to University Station in Kenmore, with free travel on the aboveground portion, and provides non-stop Metro Bus service between Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Downtown Buffalo.
-
-
Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Organization of special events and public gatheringsPlans and operates recurring special events such as the Downtown Country Market, Queen City Social, Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, free winter ice skating at Rotary Rink, and the summer music series Thursday & Main at Fountain Plaza featuring regional and nationally recognized performers. Previously produced long-running events including Thursday at the Square (1987–2013), Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor (1998–2013), and Buffalo Bike Blast (three years), with some events drawing up to 15,000 attendees.
-
-
Perinatal Support Services 1 activity
- Provision of community health servicesOperates the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network to support prenatal and perinatal health in the downtown Buffalo community.
-
-
Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
- Provision of visitor and community information servicesProvides information and assistance to individuals inquiring about Buffalo Place and Downtown Buffalo, supporting public engagement and accessibility.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducting research to inform urban planningConducted the 2015 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study to analyze foot traffic generated by downtown employees, contributing data-driven insights to downtown planning and development efforts.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.23M
Contributions & grants$574K47%
Program service revenue$647K53%
Investment income$9K1%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$1.02M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$433K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$774K
Cash$572K
Investments$0
Liabilities$73K
Net assets$702K
Liquid reserves6.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +40.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL T SCHMAND | EXEC. DIR/V.P.(NON-VOTING) | 40 | $167K |
board members · 14
- ANTHONY J BAYNES — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY J COLUCCI III — PRESIDENT & VICE CHAIRMAN
- BARBARA A DANNER — TREASURER
- BRIAN GOULD — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL CASTLE — DIRECTOR
- HON BRIAN M HIGGINS — DIRECTOR
- HON CHRISTOPHER L JACOBS — SECRETARY
- HON LAWRENCE DUPRE — DIRECTOR
- KEITH M BELANGER — CHAIRPERSON
- PAUL F CIMINELLI — VICE PRESIDENT
- ROCCO TERMINI — DIRECTOR
- STAN MAKOWSKI JR — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN J CARMINA — VICE PRESIDENT
- WILLIAM PALADINO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Bennett Park Montessori School Partner — Includes Bennett Park Montessori School as an educational institution near the Ellicott District.
- Big Ditch Brewing Company Partner — Supporting Act Sponsor of the Thursday & Main summer music series
- Big Easy in Buffalo Partner — Partner organization co-presenting a New Orleans-themed night during the Thursday & Main series
- Buffalo Common Council Government — Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope represents Buffalo Common Council - Ellicott District on the board
- Buffalo Elementary School of Technology Partner — Identifies Buffalo Elementary School of Technology as a school serving the Ellicott District.
- Buffalo General Hospital Partner — Includes Buffalo General Hospital as a core institution on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.
- Buffalo Photo Blog Partner — Collaborates with Buffalo Photo Blog for photography content.
- Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network Partner — Collaborates to provide prenatal and perinatal health services in Buffalo.
- Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Partner — Collaborates with the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library to promote educational resources and public programming in downtown Buffalo.
- Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus Partner — Recognizes the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus as a key developing neighborhood with major medical and academic institutions.
- Canalside Partner — Highlights Canalside as a key recreational and cultural destination adjacent to the Waterfront Village.
- City of Buffalo Government — Deputy Mayor Thomas E. Baines represents the City of Buffalo on the board
- Downtown property owners Partner — Collaborates with Downtown property owners who fund a majority of operations through special charges and are invested in the success of Downtown Buffalo.
- D’Youville College Partner — Identifies D’Youville College as an institution located within the Lower West Side neighborhood.
- Empire State Development Government — Requested the development of the Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor music festival, which Buffalo Place produced annually.
- Erie County Department of Environment & Planning Government — Commissioner Dan Castle represents Erie County Department of Environment & Planning on the board
- Erie County Legislature Government — Legislator Lawrence J. Dupre represents Erie County Legislature - 1st District on the board
- Gates Vascular Institute Partner — Notes Gates Vascular Institute as a major facility located on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.
- JFK Recreation Center Partner — Identifies the JFK Recreation Center as a community asset near the Ellicott District.
- Kevin Guest House Partner — Highlights the Kevin Guest House as a healthcare hospitality provider serving patients and families on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.
- Kleinhans Music Hall Partner — Highlights Kleinhans Music Hall as a cultural asset within the Lower West Side neighborhood.
- M&T Bank Partner — Presenting sponsor of the Thursday & Main summer music series
- National Grid Partner — Supporting Act Sponsor of the Thursday & Main summer music series
- Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Government — Collaborates on public transportation options for accessing downtown Buffalo
- Oishei Children’s Hospital Partner — Lists Oishei Children’s Hospital as a major institution located on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.
- Shea’s Performing Arts Center Partner — The Honorable Brian Higgins serves as President & CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center and is affiliated with Buffalo Place
- The Buffalo News Partner — Supporting Act Sponsor of the Thursday & Main summer music series
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Partner — Identifies UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine as a key institution on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus.
- William-Emslie YMCA Partner — Notes the William-Emslie YMCA as a recreational facility serving the Ellicott District.
- community partners Partner — Collaborates with community partners to support Downtown Buffalo initiatives
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Event-Driven Economic Activationmethodology: event-driven economic activationBy hosting public events and programming, we increase downtown visitation and stimulate private investment because accessible, community-oriented gatherings create vibrancy and demonstrate the economic potential of the urban core.
- Historic Preservation as Community Enhancementmethodology: historic-preservation-developmentBy integrating historical preservation into residential and commercial development, we enhance community character and desirability because maintaining architectural heritage strengthens place identity and attracts investment.
- Place-Based Urban Revitalizationmethodology: place_managementBy implementing place management and business improvement district governance in downtown Buffalo, we drive economic vitality and community development because coordinated investment and services in a defined urban area create conditions for sustained growth and quality of life improvements.
- Urban Revitalization Through Residential and Walkable Developmentmethodology: walkable urbanismBy enhancing the downtown apartment scene with walkable access to amenities and cultural destinations, we attract diverse residents and promote active lifestyles because livable, connected urban environments increase residential demand and community engagement.