BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority presented its revitalization plan for the First Ward on Thursday. Officials say the goal is to encourage commercial development and listen to community input.

Local residents only asked that their basic needs to be met: a grocery store, a pharmacy, and better public transportation.

The BMHA suggested taking advantage of the First Ward's prime location and affordable real estate to attract developers.

Urban planner Dan Leonard outlined the next steps.

"Now we need to develop our urban design plan. We're really laying out what is the ideal way in which the neighborhood could develop," Leonard said. "So, should the market strengthen or should we identify these opportunities, how should it physically change? How should it physically improve?"

The BMHA will hold another meeting in early March.