Wow!! I am shocked, excited and honored that Kaid Benfield wanted to write about what we are doing here in Buffalo. My heart exploded when I saw this article in the Atlantic Cities blog. Coming from an urban planner – this blog is the mecca of planning/urbanism & cities. I literally read it every morning.

If you want to know more about the “vacancy vortex” – check out my TED X Buffalo talk from Oct. 2013. 

You can read the article here: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/housing/2013/11/saving-neighborhoods-vacancy-vortex/7572/

“While I tend to agree with the adage that “the greenest building is the one already built,” as long as the context is or can be made supportive, I’m impressed that Radle and Wilson’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there. They also want to make sure their rehabs are constructed with green principles in mind. ” From BuffaLove’s website:

“BuffaLove Development aims to bring together elements of historic preservation and sustainability into each project through the use of good materials, design and community direction. We are taking a comprehensive approach to our neighborhood by investing in three areas – vacant lots, singles and doubles, and mixed use anchor buildings. We know that with a comprehensive approach, we will inspire growth, create jobs and strengthen our neighborhood … Our vision is to rehab each building in a fashion that mixes preservation and energy efficiency while maintaining affordability and comfort.”

“Green’s article for the Times suggests that what BuffaLove is doing is part of a trend of microdevelopment, at least in Buffalo, citing several additional individuals and companies doing preservation-and-rehab on a small scale, but reaching critical mass when aggregated.  “Just coming out of the woodwork,” was the way one seasoned developer put it to Green.  That sounds fantastic to me – this is an approach, and a philosophy, well worth rooting for.”

This post originally appeared on the NRDC’s Switchboard blog, an Atlantic partner site.