Construction and renovation funding for community facilities can help preserve existing buildings while expanding access to resources that support residential maintenance and neighborhood improvement. Empire State Development has announced the start of major renovations at The Tool Library’s newly purchased permanent headquarters at 2626 Main St. in Buffalo, New York.
The nonprofit acquired the historic Main Street property to establish a permanent base for its tool-lending and educational programs. The renovation is supported by a $100,000 capital grant from Empire State Development through the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.
Initial work at the facility will address structural and exterior conditions, including restoration and repair of historic masonry, wood windows and storefront windows.
The full renovation is expected to be completed next year. The project will allow The Tool Library to expand its operations within a permanent facility rather than relying on space limitations that previously restricted some programs.
The organization maintains an inventory of more than 5,000 specialized tools that residents can borrow through a membership program. According to the organization, members have borrowed 11,844 tools during 2026 and generated more than $1 million in reported savings.
The renovated building will provide additional space for The Tool Library’s tool-borrowing operations, Dare to Repair Cafes and DIY educational workshops.
The repair program connects residents with volunteer repair specialists to extend the useful life of household items and reduce disposal. The organization also coordinates community service projects and lends tools to nonprofit and community-based organizations.
The facility’s expansion is expected to increase the organization’s ability to support home repairs and neighborhood improvement activities across Western New York.
The project demonstrates how targeted public investment can support renovation of an existing community facility while expanding its capacity to serve homeowners and neighborhood organizations.
For construction and development stakeholders, the renovation also highlights the role of adaptive reuse and targeted capital improvements in extending the useful life of older buildings. The work at 2626 Main St. combines preservation of existing building elements with upgrades intended to accommodate expanded community services.
Source: ESD.
