We are writing to share with you some important updates on our efforts to preserve the rich and diverse heritage of Buffalo’s East Side from the potential impacts of the New York State Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to “cap” the 33 Expressway.
Take a moment to imagine a better world… where the parkway is restored and the community is reconnected. Imagine living near Humboldt Parkway, where you can enjoy walking your dogs, exercising, visiting a farmer’s market, or attending a summer concert. Imagine the 75,000 cars that use the 33 every day are redirected to our historic radial streets, which used to be vibrant and lively before the highway was built. Imagine the commerce and activity that would follow, creating a demand for small businesses, apartments, and buildings. Imagine our walkable “pre-car” neighborhoods thriving again, supporting a strong local economy. Imagine the growth and prosperity that would result, generating multi-generational wealth. Imagine the taxes, jobs, services, and businesses that would benefit. Imagine the buildings that would be preserved and maintained. Imagine the justice and healing that would come from reversing 60+ years of redlining and urban renewal. This is not just a dream – this is a dream within reach.
The Kensington Expressway project is a historic opportunity to heal the wounds inflicted by urban renewal and restore the dignity and beauty of our neighborhoods. We are not alone in this endeavor. Across the state and the nation, communities are reclaiming their public spaces and reconnecting with their natural and cultural heritage. From Rochester to Niagara Falls, from Milwaukee to Syracuse, cities are transforming their highways into boulevards, parks, and trails. These projects have shown positive impacts on the environment, the economy, and the social fabric of the areas. We can learn from their successes and challenges, and apply them in our own context. Together, we can make Buffalo a more-connected, equitable city.
We have that opportunity in front of us, yet the NYS DOT plans to spend over one billion taxpayer dollars to reinforce the mistakes of the past. The DOT’s plan to “cap” the 33 will only benefit suburban commuters and visitors, while the structural integrity of hundreds of historic buildings will be jeopardized throughout the construction process. The creation of the 33 has negatively impacted the quality of life for East Side residents for over fifty years. Are we going to allow this trend to continue for another fifty years?
Our Stance: Restore the Olmsted Parks System
We are requesting the full restoration of the historic Humboldt Parkway. The full restoration of Humboldt Parkway aims to revive the original design by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, reconnecting Martin Luther King Jr. Park to Delaware Park. You can see what the parkway used to look like here.
This decision marks a significant step in preserving the legacy of the Olmsted Parks and Parkways system, a prime example of late 19th-century landscape architecture and city planning. The restoration will also contribute to one of PBN’s major initiatives, the rejuvenation and revitalization of the East Side Commercial Corridors.
We’re advocating for the Department of Transportation to evaluate all historic structures and sacred spaces within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) before and after construction and for the creation of a preservation repair fund to address any property damage that may happen during the invasive construction work. There are thousands of historic properties within the boundary of the APE including over a thousand properties within the Hamlin Park Historic District alone. We would love to assist the DOT with this effort, if possible.
Additionally, we stand alongside our Section 106 Committee allies in calling for an updated Cultural Landscape Study. The NYSDOT has refused to provide a full Environmental Impact Statement, therefore, we support ESP and our community members in demanding a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement that considers all feasible alternatives – including the full restoration of Olmsted’s Parkway.
We believe this stance aligns with our Strategic Plan, our mission, and with the community at large. Filling in the 33 and restoring the Olmsted Parkway will help us create a more-connected city…a better Buffalo, together. A dream within our collective reach.
Please join us in supporting our East Side neighbors to reclaim what was lost due to mid-20th-century highway construction and short-sighted urban renewal policies.
Thank you for your continued support!
-The PBN Team
We visited the Allied Mills Complex at 1 Buffalo River Place, a rare example of early 20th-century industrial architecture that served as a mill for animal feed. This complex is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and we are working to prevent its demolition by landmarking this structure and promoting its adaptive reuse.
We also stopped by the Vaux Barn at 1119 Genesee Street, the last remaining park structure designed by world-renowned landscape architect Calvert Vaux, who created Buffalo’s Park System with Frederick Law Olmsted. This barn is a unique example of Vaux’s “Stick-Style” architecture and we have nominated it as a local landmark to protect it from further deterioration and you can follow our progress 
