BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Plans have been in the works for the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute for a while now, but the $10 million project was put on hold because of COVID-19 delays. Now, the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY says they're back to work on their new addition to Buffalo's West Side.
“This is going to be huge. It’s new. there isn’t another building in this area like it," said Dinorah Santos, Public Information Officer for the Council.
After a successful virtual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, they're looking toward the future for this project. It'll be a 33,000 square foot building, with three floors and solar panels.
"It’ll have a garden a media center, an event space, a kitchen, a theater,” said Santos.
They plan to host music programs and hope to partner with schools here. They hope to break ground at the location on the corner of Niagara and Hudson streets in Fall of 2021. They hope this will become a centerpiece, uniting the entire community.
“You do not need to be Hispanic to enter our institute, you will always be welcome just like at home,” said Manny Lezama, Capital Campaign Manager for the project.
They’re still looking for donations and community support to help fund the project.
"We do need the community to help us make this happen. Once this is built, that community is going to have a place to call their own. [People will say] 'this is what we are apart of, we helped build this,” said Santos.
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