In a bustling Buffalo neighborhood, a quiet revolution is taking place. At its heart is an unassuming corner building at 2626 Main Street, home to The Tool Library. Once a bank and later a Subway restaurant—among many other things over the years—the 5,000-sf building has become a vital hub for home and community improvement, but most importantly, for empowerment. Here, members from all walks of life come together, borrowing tools and sharing knowledge to enhance their homes, neighborhoods and surroundings.

Earlier this year, The Tool Library launched an ambitious capital campaign to raise $1 million to purchase and renovate this building, expanding the organization’s role as a community resource. When our Facility Optimization Solutions (FOS) team heard the news, we were eager to step up and provide a pro-bono facility condition assessment to give the organization a comprehensive view of the building’s current state. This effort is part of our firm’s "Of Our Communities" program, which focuses on finding meaningful ways to engage and give back to the cities where we live and work.

The Tool Library is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable access to tools, workshops and other resources aimed at empowering the community. With nearly 1,800 members who have access to more than 5,000 tools, members can borrow equipment for home improvement, gardening, DIY projects and creative endeavors, fostering self-sufficiency and skill development.

Recognizing the importance of The Tool Library's mission, our facility condition assessment examined the entire building. This included a full basement, two second-story apartments, a parking lot and the shop space used by The Tool Library. The assessment looked at structural integrity, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, roofing, architecture and overall safety. Every system was photographed, scored based on its condition and documented in our proprietary capital planning software platform, FOScore®.

The Tool Library now has a free subscription to FOScore®, where they can access all of their building data. All systems are ranked and organized by priority, providing a detailed look at maintenance needs over the next 10 years, along with cost estimates. This strategic approach allows the organization to prioritize improvements and maintenance tasks, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, helping to avoid unexpected expenses and enabling better financial planning.

“The building is situated at a vital corner on Main Street, where four neighborhoods converge, making it easily accessible to communities in need,” said Rich Mrugala, who led the facility condition assessment. “Our assessment provided a comprehensive overview of the building’s current state, pinpointing immediate needs and future priorities. It was an honor to play a part in helping The Tool Library secure its future and continue its mission.”

Facility condition assessments are particularly valuable for nonprofit organizations looking to improve their buildings or launch capital campaigns, as they present a compelling case to potential donors, grant organizations and community partners. Including actual data about the current state and future costs is crucial. In cases where an organization is looking to purchase a building, these assessments can also be used to negotiate with building owners to either complete repairs done before purchase or lower the purchase cost.

Darren Cotton, Executive Director of The Tool Library, shared, "The facility condition assessment provided by FOS will be an invaluable long term planning tool for our organization – and we know a thing or two about tools! It’s not just about knowing what needs to be fixed; it’s about being strategic and prioritizing effectively, so our new home can play a pivotal role in expanding our services and programs while also serving as a major catalyst for the surrounding neighborhoods.