Mayor Byron Brown and a group of local and state officials met Monday to announce the beginning of a new paving project. The city will pave Richmond Avenue, from West Ferry Street to Symphony Circle, and install new sidewalks and new street lights.Steven Stepniak, Buffalo's Commissioner of Public Works, says the goal is to make the street more accessible.
“We added 88 handicapped accessibility ramps. Part of developing these areas and working with strategic planning is to make these roadways accessible to everybody,” Stepniak said.
Most of the project is financed by the state Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), as well as city funds. The city expects to spend about $262,500 on the infrastructure project.
Assemblyman Sean Ryan says he made a goal to bring state money to Buffalo.
“For the last several budgets in Albany, Senator (Tim) Kennedy and myself have prioritized trying to get more road money, they call it CHIPS funding, directly to the municipalities and this is an indicator of our success,” Ryan said.
Niagara District Council Member David Rivera says the project is already paying off.
“The neighborhood is certainly energized, enthused,” Rivera said. “They’re reinvesting money. I’ve never seen so much investment and property values go up in this area as a result of all the investments that we have leveraged on behalf of the city and the state.”
The project should be completed by the fall, just in time for the Kleinhans Music Hall’s 75th anniversary celebration.