Mayor Brown, Congressman Higgins Announce the Start of the Niagara Street Gateway Construction Project

Press Release

Today, Mayor Byron W. Brown and Congressman Brian Higgins, joined by City of Buffalo Council President Darius Pridgen, Council Member David Rivera, the NFTA, The Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, D'Youville College, and members of other neighborhood groups, businesses and residents, announced the start of construction on a $16.3 million infrastructure improvement project along Niagara Street that will improve this important gateway to the downtown business district. Phase one of this multi-phased project costs $2.8 million.

"Strong infrastructure is critical to Buffalo's economy and quality of life," said Mayor Brown. "Today important roadwork begins on Niagara Street -- construction that will help us position Niagara Street as an attractive anchor for city residents, business leaders and visitors to get in and out of downtown Buffalo. I look forward to working with our many other partners in government on this important project. A better Gateway makes Buffalo an even better place to live, work and invest."

"Niagara Street serves as a critical gateway for those entering our city from Southern Ontario and Western New York's northern communities," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "This project lays out a new and improved welcome mat into the City of Buffalo as well as creating a stronger foundation to support the Niagara Street business district."

The Niagara Street Gateway serves as a prime corridor connecting Porter Avenue and Downtown Buffalo, and once the infrastructure improvements are complete, the entire West Side will benefit greatly.

"Traveling on Niagara Street gives you a perfect glimpse of the diversity of Buffalo. From the epicenter of our city in bustling Niagara Square, you head up Avenida San Juan through the Hispanic Heritage District, you pass through Olmsted's Front Park, before coming upon historic Broderick Park and our reviving Industrial district, and ending in beautiful Riverside. I applaud the Mayor and his Administration for prioritizing Niagara Street as the place for infrastructural investment and improvements. As our city progresses, it is important that we provide safe places for people to bike and walk and I'm pleased to see the new Niagara Street will be that place."

The $16.3 million Niagara Street Gateway project is a multi-phased rehabilitation of Niagara Street, between S. Elmwood and Porter.

Phase I: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street Gateway (Virginia Street to S. Elmwood Ave.) - $2.8 million project to develop a gateway entrance from Carolina Street to the Buffalo downtown urban core. Completion by mid-summer of 2015.

Phase II: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street (Virginia Street to Porter Avenue) -- $2.5 million for mill and overlay, a new striping pattern; new LED street lighting, sidewalks, green infrastructure, traffic signals and new ADA ramps…complete streets design and implementation. Bid by December; start construction early Spring 2015; complete construction late 2015.

Phase III: specific intersection improvements at the Niagara/Ferry Street Intersection at Rich Products -- design 2014; construction 2015.

Phase IV: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street (Porter Avenue to Ontario Street) - $7 million Federal/NYSDOT funding for mill and overlay, a new striping pattern, new LED street lighting, sidewalks, green infrastructure, traffic signals and new ADA ramps…complete streets design and implementation. Design to begin by December 2014 and construction funds will be requested to be available by Spring 2016; construction (dependent on funding) in 2016 and completed by late 2017.

NFTA Bus Livability Project -- (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority) -- $3.56 million project that's to be implemented in phases to coincide with city work projects. First traffic signal re-timing plans are being implemented this summer/fall; NFTA bus priority to be implemented next year (2015) per the NFTA grant.
Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA Executive Director said, "The NFTA is pleased to be working with Mayor Brown and Congressman Higgins to create a comprehensive high quality transit corridor along Niagara Street. This is an exciting opportunity to provide numerous transit enhancements on one of the busiest bus routes that Metro operates."

With completion of the $18.5 million renovation project that converted the Rich Renaissance Niagara Atrium into the Rich's new Innovation Center, Rich's has reinvested more than $88 million in its Buffalo headquarters since 2007, adding to the great progress in Buffalo.

Source