BUFFALO, NY — New York State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera today announced that he has facilitated the release of $2.9 million in previously awarded state funding for critical infrastructure and streetscape improvements along Buffalo’s Niagara Street corridor and Niagara Square.

The funding, originally awarded through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York's (DASNY) Capital Assistance Program (CAP), was activated in May 2012 for streetscape and infrastructure improvements along Niagara Street.

Working closely with Mayor Sean Ryan, City officials and DASNY, Assemblymember Rivera helped advance a revised project scope that will allow Buffalo to fully utilize the remaining grant funds and complete long-needed improvements to one of the city's most important transportation corridors.

“Over the past decade, Niagara Street has undergone one of the most ambitious and transformative infrastructure projects in Buffalo's modern history,” said Assemblymember Rivera. “This funding ensures that we can finally complete unfinished work, protect prior investments, and continue building on the success of a corridor that has become a model for complete streets design and multimodal transportation. Just as importantly, we are making sure taxpayers receive the full benefit of dollars that were awarded more than a decade ago.”

The revised scope will support infrastructure and streetscape improvements along the earliest segment of the Niagara Street Complete Streets Project between Niagara Square and Porter Avenue. Completed more than 10 years ago, this section is nearing the end of its useful life and requires infrastructure repairs, including milling, repaving, restriping, updated safety markings, and signage improvements. These upgrades will extend the lifespan of the corridor while ensuring consistency with the newer sections of Niagara Street that have since been reconstructed.

The project will also fund infrastructure and beautification improvements within Niagara Square, the downtown terminus of the Niagara Street corridor. Planned improvements include milling and repaving, traffic safety enhancements, updated signage, pedestrian improvements, and streetscape beautification measures.

Prior to the approved amendment, the remaining grant funding was designated for improvements on Niagara Street between Tonawanda Street and Hertel Avenue. However, construction on that section was substantially completed using other funding sources before the grant could be activated, leaving a funding gap that would not have fully utilized the available state funds.

The revised project scope ensures that the balance of the grant award can be invested in needed infrastructure improvements while maintaining the continuity and high-quality standards established throughout the Niagara Street corridor.

Over the past decade, Niagara Street has been transformed from a deteriorating four-lane industrial thoroughfare into a vibrant multimodal corridor connecting downtown Buffalo with the waterfront communities of Black Rock and Riverside. The comprehensive effort has unfolded across five phases spanning approximately 3.3 miles from Niagara Square to Ontario Street and has leveraged more than $28.7 million in federal, state, and local investment.

Funding sources for the corridor have included federal transportation grants, New York State's Better Buffalo Fund, the Buffalo Billion initiative, Environmental Protection Agency green infrastructure grants, and the New York State Green Innovation Grant Program.

The most significant reconstruction occurred during Phases 3 through 5 between Porter Avenue and Ontario Street, representing a $17.7 million investment that began in 2017. Those improvements transformed portions of the corridor from four travel lanes to two, creating space for protected two-way cycle tracks, widened sidewalks, pedestrian-scale LED lighting, ADA-compliant infrastructure, curb extensions, and enhanced streetscape features designed to improve safety and accessibility for all users.

The approved amendment will allow the City to fully utilize the grant award while supporting the long-term functionality, safety, and attractiveness of the Niagara Street corridor and Niagara Square.

“Niagara Street is a gateway to our waterfront, our neighborhoods, and our economic future,” Rivera said. “By unlocking this long-stalled funding, we're ensuring that every section of the corridor meets the same high standard of quality, safety, and accessibility. This investment will help preserve the progress that residents, businesses, and community stakeholders have worked so hard to achieve.”

WEDI Interim Executive Director Courtney Yonce-Swain said, “The Bazaar team appreciates the incredible support we've received from Assemblyman Jon Rivera and Mayor Sean Ryan throughout this project. Their partnership, along with the work of Vision Niagara and GoBike, has helped create meaningful momentum along the Niagara Street corridor. We're grateful to work alongside organizations and leaders who believe in investing in small businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for our entrepreneurs and the broader community.”

Executive Director of GOBike Buffalo Kevin Heffernan said, “Every investment into infrastructure that takes into account all road users - children and adults who walk, roll in wheelchairs, bike, ride transit, and drive - is proven to yield positive economic returns, improved physical and mental health, and a more connected community. We are thrilled to see these dollars do all of that on Niagara Street and in Niagara Square.”

Chris Platt, President of Vision Niagara said, “Vision Niagara is grateful to Assemblymember Rivera and Mayor Ryan for finding a creative way to direct this funding to where it's needed, rather than letting a decade-old grant go to waste. The result will keep the Niagara Street corridor safe and beautiful for the people who live, work, and play along it for years to come. With Phase 5 between Porter Avenue and Hampshire Street recently completed, this funding ensures the corridor remains a complete street from end to end, promoting quality of life for residents and businesses along the way.”