Erie County officials announced that, beginning November 1, the former Buffalo Creek Academy at 514‑528 South Park Avenue will be repurposed as a 200‑bed winter shelter under the state’s Code Blue program. The county has signed a multi‑year lease with developer Ellicott Development to provide a safe, heated location for people experiencing homelessness when temperatures dip below 32 °F.
County leadership frames the shelter as essential
County Executive Mark Poloncarz emphasized the urgency of the project, stating, “We need it, it’s as simple as that.” He added, “I wish we didn’t. I wish we had people who were not homeless or needing temporary assistance, but when people are homeless you gotta help them.” Poloncarz noted that the shelter will operate alongside the existing facility run by Buffalo City Mission, expanding the county’s capacity to meet the legal requirement to provide emergency shelter during inclement weather.
Local councilmember raises safety concerns
Buffalo Common Councilmember Leah Halton‑Pope, who represents the adjacent Ellicott District, sent a letter to Poloncarz and County Legislator Lawrence Dupre requesting a pause on the project. Halton‑Pope said she learned of the plans through constituents at nearby Perry Homes and stressed that location matters. “Do we need a Code Blue shelter? 100 % we do,” she said, “but where we put these things really matters.” She cited recent criminal activity in the area and expressed worries about the safety of both shelter residents and neighborhood families.
Halton‑Pope also criticized the county for not informing her office earlier, asking that development be halted until city and county officials can meet to discuss site selection and security measures.
County says city involvement is not required
When asked about coordination with city officials, Poloncarz replied that the county has already briefed the area’s council representative, Mitch Nowakowski, and that the lease can proceed without additional city approval. “The interesting thing is the city doesn’t matter. The county has the ability to do this without going through the city,” he explained. “Some of our folks reached out, but to tell you the truth, they [the city] don’t matter. They’re not part of our decision making.”
Poloncarz dismissed accusations of “NIMBYism,” arguing that opposition should not prevent the county from delivering a necessary service when winter weather threatens vulnerable residents.
Community response and next steps
While the county frames the shelter as a life‑saving measure, local residents and advocacy groups are watching closely. Safety concerns, traffic impact, and the potential for increased crime are among the issues raised. County officials have pledged to work with community stakeholders to address these worries, including enhanced security staffing and coordination with local law‑enforcement.
The shelter is slated to open in early November, aligning with the start of the cold season. Erie County will continue to monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed to ensure the facility meets both humanitarian and public‑safety standards.
Original reporting: WKBW 7 Buffalo (Buffalo section) — read the source article.
