Peter Burakowski Takes the Helm at Buffalo Place
The former 43North executive has been named the new leader of the nonprofit that manages and promotes Buffalo's downtown business improvement district.
Buffalo Place has a new executive director, and it's a name that people in the city's business and innovation circles will recognize. Peter Burakowski, who spent time leading the startup incubator 43North and currently works at the University at Buffalo, is stepping into the role at a moment when downtown Buffalo has real momentum โ and real challenges โ to manage.
His background is squarely in entrepreneurship and economic development, which is exactly the lens downtown needs right now. Vacant storefronts, foot traffic that still hasn't fully recovered, and a Main Street corridor with a lot of potential โ those are the issues landing on his desk.
Downtown business owners are ready for some fresh thinking, and city officials are hopeful that someone with Burakowski's background can bring new energy to a district that deserves it.