Moments ago, drivers behind the Cars Sharing Main Street project cut a ribbon on the 500 Block of Main Street. The ribbon cutting was followed by a ceremonial vehicle taking to the street, owned and driven by Jim Sandoro of the Pierce Arrow Transportation Museum. The sight is a familiar one, as more Main Street blocks are opened to car sharing, and additional blocks are scheduled to undergo the transition. Ultimately a vehicle will be able to make it the full length of Main Street, all the way to Canalside.
It was the mid 80’s when cars were vanquished from Main Street, extinguishing the bulk of the retail along with it. Today Mayor Brown talked about the return of retail and restaurants to the heart of Downtown. Already, a number of businesses have popped up in anticipation of traffic returning to the street, including Furnishings, D’Avolio Kitchen, Casa di Pizza, and Raclette’s (coming soon). In the process, Roosevelt Plaza has been visually transformed into a people-friendly park. The park setting sits in front of a stunning backdrop of historic buildings that are all coming back to life.
Federal TIGER grants have been an essential part in restoring traffic to the street. Buffalo is one of a few cities to receive multiple grants of this nature. That has led to the restoration of the 700 Block, the 600 Block, and now the 500 Block. Additional grant funds in the amount of $18 million have been secured for Lower Main, the next phase of the project. Lower Main was decided upon as the next recipient due to its proximity to Canalside. From there, additional funds will be sought to tackle the 400 Block, which will connect the entire street together. The remainder of the funds needed to bridge the 500 Block and Lower Main, and complete the project is $67 Million, according to Mayor Brown.
The combined effort to bring the project to fruition is thanks to Federal, State and local funding, along with significant infrastructure work by the NFTA, and coordination help from Buffalo Place. Main Street is designed as a destination that incorporates short term parking, for people who want to pop in and out of businesses.
*Singers from South Park High School added joyous sounds to the milestone event