Senator Sean Ryan, Assemblymember Jon Rivera, Councilmember David Rivera Join GObike, Preservation Buffalo Niagara To Announce Next Phase In ‘Reimagining Grant Street’ Project

SENATOR SEAN RYAN, ASSEMBLYMEMBER JON RIVERA, COUNCILMEMBER DAVID RIVERA JOIN GOBIKE, PRESERVATION BUFFALO NIAGARA TO ANNOUNCE NEXT PHASE IN ‘REIMAGINING GRANT STREET’ PROJECT

Local Leaders And Organizations Unveil Design Concepts For Improving Buffalo’s Grant Street Corridor – Public Meetings To Be Held To Discuss New Designs

BUFFALO – Today, May 21, 2021, New York State Senator Sean Ryan, Assemblymember Jon Rivera, and Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera joined representatives from GObike Buffalo and Preservation Buffalo Niagara to unveil design concepts and announce the next steps for the “Reimagining Grant Street” project. The project’s goal is to design and execute a vision for Grant Street in Buffalo that reflects the current and future needs of its neighborhood’s residents, visitors, and local businesses.

Located on Buffalo’s vibrant West Side, Grant Street serves as a critical economic and social anchor for its neighboring communities. The “Reimaging Grant Street” project, which was initiated by Senator Ryan, Councilmember Rivera, GObike Buffalo, and Preservation Buffalo Niagara in 2019, was established to assess the use and condition of Grant Street in order to develop a plan to improve its functionality. It has been funded by The John R. Oishei Foundation and Councilmember Rivera.

GObike Buffalo has created three concepts for a reimagined Grant Street based on feedback from previous public outreach efforts. The concepts will be discussed at public workshops at Campus Walk at 643 Grant St. on Tuesday, May 25, Wednesday, May 26, and Saturday, June 5. Community members are encouraged to attend the workshops to provide feedback about each concept. Final concept plans, including cost estimates, will be unveiled later in June.

In 2020, Preservation Buffalo Niagara conducted a study to assess the Grant Street corridor’s existing demographics and completed a survey of the corridor’s stakeholders and community members. These projects were undertaken to ensure that any new plans for Grant Street would maintain the community’s identity, and support existing residents and businesses. A final report with policy recommendations based on these studies will be published in the coming weeks.

Senator Sean Ryan said, “The Grant Street corridor is already a social and commercial cornerstone of Buffalo’s West Side. When this project is completed, we envision a corridor that is more accessible for both neighborhood residents and visitors, and one whose design supports the businesses on and around Grant Street. As this process moves forward, we will continue to gather community feedback to determine what an ideal, inclusive concept for the future of the Grant Street Corridor would look like.”

Assemblymember Jon Rivera said, “The Grant Street corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods within the greater West Side community have developed into a thriving, vivacious hub of activity — one that is powered by the unique diversity of its residents. The energy inherent in the Grant Street community pulsates from the melding of the many cultures that make up its distinctive composite. This project, utilizing input from the residents themselves, will improve the neighborhood’s accessibility, facilitate the growth of its identity, and accelerate new spaces for business and recreation.”

Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera said, “I’m proud to see this project move into its next phase. The feedback gathered will be vital to making sure that the final vision meets the needs of the people of the community.”

Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo, said, “The community's pride, dedication, and hope for this corridor are evident, and our goal is to uplift and support the community vision and investment already in motion on Grant Street. We encourage everyone to get involved in the project and thank local leadership for funding and supporting this initiative.”

Jessie Fisher, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, said, “Since it was first laid out in 1860, Grant Street has served a vibrant and diverse community. We are excited to be part of efforts to ensure it continues its vital role in serving this dynamic community for the next 160 years.”

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