BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Each week, we showcase the work of a Buffalo City Shaper - someone who is contributing to Buffalo's resurgence.
This week's City Shaper got her start at Xerox in college before deciding to branch out on her own. Christine Vargas is from the Rochester area, but moved to Buffalo to open a new office for a very personal reason.
"I came here for nine years while my mom was treated, and during that time, I just had to focus on her," says Vargas.
A bench on the Roswell Park campus honors Vargas' mom. Vargas already had a successful facilities project management and interior design company in Rochester, but the time she spent in Buffalo encouraged her to open a second office last year on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
To date, Vargas says working on Roswell's expansion is her most memorable project.
"For me being able to come in and help Roswell, because I have a history with them, helping my family, that was personally very touching," says Vargas.
Vargas also spearheaded the interior design of the new Oishei Children's Hospital.
"This is a small representation of a process that goes room by room by room by room, all the different parts and pieces to come up with the various quantities," explained Vargas as she showed us samples of her work.
Her team worked with the architect to figure out what the furniture needs were.
"It was help us figure out what it is that we truly need and then let's embark on the process of procuring it," says Vargas.
"So, it's more of a conversation," said Dudzik.
“More of a conversation, they involved their staff," said Vargas.
Vargas Associates also does relocation management. Christine moved the U.B. Medical School downtown.
Right now, she's working on the build out of ACV Auctions on the Medical Campus.
"Many times, you get inside a facility and it has a whole different life and a different feel. And, what we've seen done with some of these historical buildings is really amazing. The old bones when used right can create a very cool look and vibe that really is embraced by especially the Millennial generation. They just love it," explained Vargas.
As someone who worked for a big company, then started her own almost 15 years ago, Vargas says you have to be ready for anything.
"It takes patience. There's a lot of curve balls. People that you think would easily support you might not, and others that maybe you never had any idea they would be willing to step-up and support you, because my vision of what the journey looked like was very different than how it really came about, but definitely perseverance," says Vargas.
Vargas says she expects to see more growth in private sector development and jobs in Buffalo's future.
If you have someone you'd like to nominate to be a Buffalo City Shaper, just send Kelly Dudzik an email.