The emergence of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Center over the last nine years has resulted in several new public projects at the northern end of the campus such as Gates Vascular Institute and the recently announced relocation of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to Main and High Street. With such a large public investment in the campus already occurring, private investment must support and augment overall development. This proposed development will be called Conventus (Latin for "a coming together" or union) named because of its planned physical connection to both the John R. Oishei Foundation Children's Hospital and the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The two major tenants, with Letters of Intent to locate are both 501 © 3 organizations: Kaleida Health (85,000 sq. ft.) and UBMD Physician's Groups (60,000 sq. ft.). Both provide services for an underserved patient base and for the indigent population in the region.
If either organization had opted to construct a building on its own, neither would be obligated to pay taxes.
The physical structure will be a 287,000 sq. ft., 6-story medical office building, with levels of below grade parking (an additional 120,000 sq. ft.) with 332 parking spaces planned. The first floor (ground level) is planned to have retail space available to support the campus; i.e. banking, limited food service, a pharmacy, etc. The remainder of the floors will be devoted to clinical, practical and research office space. Support services for Children's with physical connections to at least two adjacent facilities (John R. Oishei Children's Hospital and the UB Medical School) are planned. These connectors will be available to facilitate public pedestrian travel among the buildings and for restricted tenant/medical personnel use only. This connectivity is critical among research, teaching and clinical facilities because it creates synergy, efficiencies and positive economic impact. In addition, the company will strive to construct a LEED certified building.
Based on the "coming together" of Kaleida, UBMD, the University, John R. Oishei Children's Hospital , Gates Vascular Institute, Buffalo General Hospital as well as other concentrations of medical professionals, these facilities will provide research, teaching and practice in what is emerging as a unique and concentrated mass of prestigious institutions.
