The Community-Based Real Estate Development Training (CBREDT) program was developed to provide Buffalo, New York’s East Side community members with the skills and know-how needed to redevelop their own commercial and mixed-use properties. CBREDT is an East Side Avenues program which was originally developed to ensure that land, commercial buildings and mixed-use (residential and commercial use) properties along East Side commercial corridors are improved for productive use in a manner driven by the community. The intent was to build a community of citizen developers equipped to take an active role in revitalizing their neighborhoods. A collaborative group of funders supports this program.

The CBREDT program began in 2020 and ran for four years. It started as a virtual class due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifted to an in-person class in 2023. ​After gathering feedback from participants and key stakeholders, we’ve worked to expand and enhance the program so that it is available to more people and will hopefully result in more completed East Side commercial development projects.

• CBREDT 101: Our free online course features interactive learning modules and three optional in-person experiential sessions. This course is available to anyone who registers, but will focus on reaching East Side residents and stakeholders. The online modules are recorded video sessions that feature seasoned commercial/real estate professionals from Western New York. They provide an overview of the commercial real estate development process, including pre-development, construction management, property management, and financing. Is this course right for you?