BUFFALO, N.Y. — Demolition continues for the Perry apartments in Buffalo.
As buildings are torn down on one side of the field, new ones are underway in the adjacent area. As that continues, BMHA has placed flyers with QR codes, encouraging others to apply to work on the project because now BMHA is focusing on hiring more minority contractors.
Just over a month ago, BMHA started demolishing the 24-unit vacant Perry Apartment Buildings, turning the area of long-standing buildings from an eyesore to a sight into the future.
"The demolition is proceeding without incidents. They're working very quickly and very fast," said Executive Director of BMHA, Gillian Brown. "On one side of the site, you can see the demolition. On the other side of the site, you can watch the construction."
Brown tells 2 On Your Side crews have already knocked down seven buildings. He says they average a building a week. However, before demolition started developers, Penrose signed and agreed to three "Master Development Agreements" with BMHA to bring diversity into the project.
"20% of minimum workforce hours must be performed by MWBE employees. 40% of the workforce hours have to be performed by section 3 employees. 10% of all contracts have to be awarded to section 3 entities. 20% have to be awarded to MWBE entities," Brown said.
To recruit more diversity, Penrose hired Renaissance. They are a consultant group that helps companies get employees. Wednesday, they had a hiring event. Two more are in the future.
"We did a huge community outreach," says Sandy Paben, Owner of Renaissance. "How can we connect jobs that are available at Commodore Perry with folks who are looking for work?"
Paben says 73 minority-owned businesses or individuals have signed up. She keeps it organized in a spreadsheet.
"Folks come to us, and they fill out paperwork. They go into a database and tell us what their skills are. If a company is looking for a painter, they can then search. "
However, some jobs require special skills, but don't you worry about that.
"We can offer a class to get them OSHA-10 certified because that will then increase their chances for getting an interview to get a job."
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