ULI Panel Drives Action on Buffalo’s Jefferson Avenue Corridor — Featuring BAE’s Sherry Okun-Rudnak

In November 2024, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) convened an Advisory Services Panel to support revitalization of Buffalo’s historic Jefferson Avenue Corridor.  Sherry Okun-Rudnak, Principal at BAE Urban Economics, served as a panelist, contributing strategic economic insight and implementation guidance to help align investment with community priorities.

Following an intensive week of engagement with more than 90 residents, business owners, and civic leaders, the panel concluded that the corridor’s core challenge was not a lack of funding, but a lack of coordination and shared leadership.  The panel recommended a framework centered on strategic connectivity, governance, and communications.

One year later, ULI reports tangible progress is underway.  Local leaders have launched the Jefferson Renaissance Initiative to coordinate corridor-wide revitalization efforts and pursue nonprofit status, startup capital, and a development-ready property database.  In parallel, private stakeholders and business owners have advanced the Buffalo Black Business District Initiative, building momentum toward a more vibrant, community-led commercial corridor.