Work has restarted on the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute at the northwest corner of Niagara and Hudson streets. Work on three-story, 37,000 sq.ft. building started in September 2023 but stopped after site work and a foundation was completed pending final funding. Earlier this month, Governor Kathy Hochul committed $7 million in state funding for the $30 million project.
Funding includes a $5 million grant through Empire State Development, alongside other critical funding, directly addressing the remaining financial needs to ensure the seamless progression to Phase 2 and the eventual grand opening.
The Institute, developed by the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, will include a museum and art gallery and a performing arts center, which is planned to be the new home of the Raiices Theatre Company. The theatre will host various productions, panels, and speaker series, and will be available to the community to rent. The theatre will serve the community as a multifunctional assembly space and will be open to local schools, churches, and the other clubs and organizations for community performances. The building will also include a café, gift shop, media center, learning labs and administrative spaces.
State Senator Sean Ryan said, “Buffalo’s Puerto Rican and Hispanic community is vibrant, diverse, and a significant part of what makes Buffalo the city we know and love. The Hispanic Heritage Council’s Cultural Institute, led by the vision of Cas Rodriguez and the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, will be a celebration of Hispanic culture that is unprecedented in New York, and I am thrilled that Buffalo is leading the way. I was proud to work with my colleagues and Governor Hochul to secure significant state funding for this transformational project.”
Work is expected to be wrapped up in summer 2026.
