A proposal is currently under review to designate a large portion of South Buffalo as the McKinley Parkway Historic District, a move that would establish the largest National Register Historic District in New York State.
A Vision for South Buffalo
Centered around the iconic McKinley Parkway, the proposed district encompasses approximately 6,000 properties. This initiative is not only a recognition of the area’s architectural and cultural significance but also a strategic investment in the community’s future. By securing National Register designation, property owners will gain access to valuable historic tax credits, encouraging thoughtful restoration and economic revitalization.
Why Historic Designation Matters
For a deeper understanding of the role and impact of historic districts in Buffalo, including key statistics and case studies, readers are encouraged to explore the digital publication Everyone’s Heritage: The Impact of Historic Preservation in Buffalo. This comprehensive report, available through Preservation Buffalo Niagara, offers valuable insights into how historic designation supports economic development, community identity, and sustainable urban planning. The full report can be accessed here.
Community Engagement: Public Meeting Details
To ensure transparency and community involvement, the City of Buffalo’s Office of Strategic Planning, in collaboration with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (NYSHPO), is hosting a public meeting to discuss the proposal:
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Location: Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road
Virtual Access: Join via Webex
Meeting Number: 2330 514 7707
Password: McKinley
This meeting offers residents a valuable opportunity to explore the nomination process, discover the many benefits of historic designation, including Historic Tax Credits, and learn how it can enhance and support the long-term value of their properties.
To learn more about Historic Tax Credits, please CLICK HERE.
McKinley Parkway Historic District - Public Meeting Flyer
Are the borders defined in the map the final rendering?
My property is on the east side of South Park and would be included in the proposed district but it looks like the majority of properties on South Park are excluded?
It’s a two family house with a storefront, built in 1891 & I’d like to preserve as much of the original architecture as possible.
It’s an expensive venture as the house was neglected for decades before I bought it
At the same time that the Olmsted firm provided the plans for South Park and Cazenovia Park, it also furnished plans for linking them with new 150-foot-wide parkways. In the minds of many of the area’s real estate developers in the 1880s and 1890s, the laying out of parkways was more important than the creation of parks. With the evidence of the success of the North Buffalo parkway system before their eyes, many investors thought that parkways would serve as similar trunk lines of progress in South Buffalo. The Olmsteds cautioned that the parkways should be planned in conjunction with other streets in the area, many of which were opened between 1891 and 1895.