BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A $3 million expansion is expected to come to the Roswell Community Outreach & Engagement Center in Buffalo, State Senator April Baskin and Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes announced Thursday.

The community center is located at 907 Michigan Ave. in the Fruit Belt neighborhood. The $2 million from the New York State Senate will join a $1 million allocation from the Majority Leader.

A new addition of about 5,200 square feet will be added to the current building.

Roswell CEO Candace Johnson said the center was too small when it was first built in 2023 and that more space is needed for future programs.

“What [Baskin] did was heroic to be able to get the additional $2 million,” Johnson said. “The million was wonderful from the Majority Leader but we needed more and we got it and now we’re gonna realize these dreams.”

Baskin stressed the importance of the community center in a historically Black neighborhood.

“According to the American Cancer Society, African-Americans have higher cancer burdens and they face greater obstacles for cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survival,” Baskin said. “This establishment is trying to turn that statistic around.”

Another $1 million will be necessary to realize Roswell’s vision but Johnson said that she is confident that “philanthropic efforts” will lead them to their goal.