Three business districts get new look from state grants. (New York state)

Three downtown business districts, including two in Buffalo, will get a facelift, thanks to New York state.

The state Urban Development Corp. has awarded $528,644 in grants to the 500 block of Buffalo Place, a portion of West Chippewa Street and the Main Street area in Tonawanda.

* In the case of the Buffalo districts, the awards culminate two years of work by city and Buffalo Place Inc. officials.

"The 500 block has been a sore spot with a number of people for a number of years," said Richard Reinhard, Buffalo Place Inc. executive director.

The block is located across the street from the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and the L.L. Berger building. It is the …