BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Tool Library moved to their current location at 2626 Main Street last June, and are now planning to renovate their new space.
The Tool Library, which loans out tools to the community, is launching a campaign to raise $1 million to renovate the historic building on Main Street that they currently rent.
Their goal is to restore the building's history, install new outdoor signage, improve energy efficiency, reconfigure the interior layout and enhance the streetscape.
Organizers hope to complete the purchase of the building this year, so that they can begin renovations in 2025.
"After 13 years of renting, we're ready to plant our roots at 2626 Main Street and build a space that truly meets our needs and the needs of our community," said Darren Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of the Tool Library. "More than four times the size of our previous location, this is more than just a building-it is our home-and a springboard to making sharing, repairing and caring the norm and not the exception in Buffalo and across Western New York.”
They say the renovations will be coincide with their DIY workshops and serve as a learning opportunity.
Here is what The Tool Library will be renovating:
- The Second floor will become dedicated office space for Tool Library staff, additional office space for a nonprofit incubator, and a three-bedroom apartment which will provide high-quality affordable housing in the neighborhood.
- The First Floor will continue to serve as The Tool Library’s base of operations, but will also be redesigned, reorganized and reconstructed to allow for more inventory, as well as dedicated event and community meeting space for sought-after DIY workshops and educational programs.
- The basement will be transformed into a dedicated on-site workshop for larger stationary tools, as well as a dedicated repair and recycling space to continue to grow a commitment to a circular economy.
- The large 11,000sq/ft parking lot that will help the organization meet its current and future needs by providing flexible exterior storage and outdoor event space for workshops, fundraisers, tool sales and community events, as well as space for future expansion.
- Two unloved and long neglected pocket parks in front of the property provide an opportunity to create an outdoor educational space and community food forest.
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