By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Healthcare officials and dignitaries celebrated the groundbreaking for the new global vascular institute Monday. But residents of the nearby Fruitbelt community also have something to celebrate.
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Officials say that once the $291 million facility is completed in two years it will generate jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic activity. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said he doesn't believe in "silver bullets," but this project is transformational.
But people living in Buffalo's neighboring Fruitbelt community have such heard promises before. Still, seeing is believing. And even before the first shovel hit the ground there was something to see. Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples said residents are beginning to believe it's happening, from the increase in foot and pedestrian traffic spreading into their neighborhood.
The activity is coming from doctors and patients already tapped into other facilities linked within the growing bio-medical campus. And the way has literally been paved for their arrival. New roads, sidewalks and street scraping are altering the physical surroundings for residents as well as for patients and campus employees. And Peoples said that's already improving healthcare, because people can now safely walk, ride bikes and rollerskate to get more exercise.
Improved primary care access and emergency room care are also integrated into the vascular center facility to help better serve area residents.