Evergreen Health Comprehensive Healthcare Center
Leading Buffalo healthcare providers dedicated to fostering “unconditional care”.
Location: 3070 Bailey Avenue (Kensington & Bailey Intersection), Buffalo, NY
Project Scope: 36,000 SF New Construction / Urban Infill
ABOUT THE CLIENT
Evergreen Health & Community Access Services (CAS)
Evergreen Health, alongside its affiliate Community Access Services, serves as a vital resource for Western New Yorkers facing barriers to medical and supportive services. For the Ken-Bailey Project, they sought to create a landmark 36,000-square-foot facility that would bring primary care, pharmacy services, and specialized wrap-around programs focused on housing, nutrition, and financial coordination to a neighborhood that historically lacked access to healthcare infrastructure.
THE CHALLENGE
Transforming a “Medical Desert” into a Healthcare Beacon on Buffalo’s East Side
At the high-traffic intersection of Kensington and Bailey Avenues, Buffalo’s East Side faced a double vacancy: a physical void left by recently demolished buildings, and a critical service void where nearly 70% of neighborhood residents were forced to travel outside their community for basic medical needs. For Uniland, transforming this long-standing “medical desert” was far more than a standard construction build, it was a mission-critical urban infill development that required correcting a structural and social gap at a vital neighborhood crossroads.
Uniland spearheaded the strategic consolidation of four separate, underutilized parcels into a singular, high-density commercial footprint. Navigating this $20 million project required a sophisticated balance: meeting the rigorous urban design standards of the Buffalo Green Code while ensuring the strict clinical privacy essential for healthcare with the client’s vision for an open, welcoming “Healthcare Beacon.” The inclusion of an on-site pharmacy became a critical priority to fill the gap left by the sudden closure of a national pharmacy chain which had historically served the neighborhood. The resulting facility was designed as a transparent, multi-faceted community hub housing everything from a food pantry and community kitchen to state-of-the-art primary and specialty care suites.
Key Development Challenges Faced
Multi-Organizational Coordination
Managing the unique spatial, operational, and brand needs of multiple distinct tenants under one roof, including Evergreen Health, CAS, and the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC).
Complex Capital Structuring & Cost Controls
Leveraging New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) added a layer of financial and regulatory complexity that required careful coordination among funding partners, rigorous compliance oversight, and disciplined cost management. Uniland helped navigate these requirements while maintaining project momentum and long-term financial viability.
OUR APPROACH
How Uniland Solved It
Uniland took a partnership-first approach, acting as the bridge between Evergreen’s mission and the complex realities of commercial real estate development. Recognizing that trust is foundational to urban development, Uniland played an active role in community engagement, collaborating with local stakeholders to ensure the project responded to local community and workforce needs.
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Phase 1: Site Visioning and Municipal Alignment
Uniland working closely with the City of Buffalo to ensure the project aligned with Green Code standards for pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development. Early-stage planning focused on maximizing the building’s presence to anchor the corner effectively and revitalize the streetscape.
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Phase 2: Integrated Development and Preconstruction Services
By providing seamless development services during pre-construction through to active construction management, Uniland established a single source of accountability. This integrated approach streamlined communication, minimized design-build discrepancies, and mitigated potential delays.
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Phase 3: High-Visibility Site Management
Executing construction in the heart of the active Kensington-Bailey commercial district required meticulous logistical planning. Uniland managed the construction of the three-story steel frame with a strict focus on safety and minimal disruption to local businesses and public transit, all while coordinating the advanced mechanical and electrical staging required for clinical environments without compromising the project’s strict 2026 delivery timeline.
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Phase 4: Specialized Systems and Operational Readiness
As the project progresses toward final completion and delivery, Uniland’s focus is on the seamless integration of diverse service zones. This includes the technical build-out of the specialized pharmacy and medical offices alongside community-facing spaces like the food pantry and multi-purpose rooms, ensuring the facility is fully operational from day one.
The Result
The Ken-Bailey Project is set to stand as a testament to what is possible when community-focused vision aligns with expert real estate development to drive local economic growth. Through Uniland’s integrated development and construction capabilities, Evergreen Health and CAS will gain a permanent, high-visibility headquarters. By addressing a medical and pharmacy desert, this landmark property serves as a vibrant, long-term asset and a catalyst for the ongoing revitalization of the Bailey Avenue business corridor.
For more information on Development opportunities, contact:
Phone: 716.834.5000
Email: [email protected]
Get in touch with the Uniland Development team
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