We recently wrote here about our newly elected VN board president, Chris Platt. You are invited to meet with him during our office hours:
2nd Wednesday of the month, 9:00 am, Golden Lion Coffee House.
4th Wednesday of the month, 12:30 pm, West Side Bazaar.
Bring your ideas or concerns, we’d love to hear from you and have a chat.
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. More information about the festival and Jane Jacobs can be found here. It’s amazing to see the variety of walks and topics that happen around the world.
There are six of these walks happening in Buffalo. We’re super excited about ours on Niagara Street. Niagara Street: Past, Present and Future: Sunday, May 3 at 11:00 AM – Join Vision Niagara and historic preservation experts Chris Hawley and Kerry Traynor for a 1.3-mile walking tour of the Upper Black Rock Historic District. The tour will trace how successive waves of transportation — from canal to rail to highway to cycle track — shaped the Niagara Street corridor, with stops highlighting current projects, developments, and what’s ahead for the street. Continue the conversation at Britesmith afterwards. Meet in front of 1250 Niagara Street.
Reserve your spot here.
We asked what you want to see on Niagara Street. We had 33 responses with lots of interesting comments. Thank you to all who participated.
An announcement from outgoing VN board president, Barbara Rowe
Viewing Mason Street (a hidden historic nugget) as part of the 2023 tour.
Chris Hawley giving 2023 participants insight into the Niagara St corridor history
I first met Chris Platt on the VN hosted Niagara Street History Bike Tour led by Chris Hawley and Kerry Traynor in September 2023. We got to talking that day, and before long he joined the Vision Niagara board. Soon after, he teamed up with fellow new board member Tina Nuñez to help launch the Historic Preservation Subcommittee – a natural fit for people who care deeply about the neighborhood’s past and where it’s headed.
Chris was raised on a hay farm in Florence, NY, and moved to Buffalo six and a half years ago for graduate school. Unlike many who come for school and move on, Chris stayed. He’s spent most of that time living on the West Side, and for the past 2 years on Niagara Street itself, in a historic mansion he helped restore. That hands-on experience only strengthened his connection to the corridor and its future.
With degrees in architecture, urban planning, and public health – and a career in real estate and development – Chris brings a smart, well-rounded perspective to neighborhood advocacy. He’s involved with Vision Niagara because he wants to roll up his sleeves, do the work, and think carefully about how Niagara Street can be an even better place to live, work and visit.
Over the past year, Chris and I have been preparing for this transition, and I’m confident he’s ready to step into the role of President of Vision Niagara. I’m not going anywhere – I’ll continue serving on the board and as a neighbor on Niagara Street. I’m excited to support Chris as he brings fresh energy and thoughtful leadership to the next chapter of Vision Niagara
Barbara Rowe
For nearly two decades, the vacant lot at 1318 Niagara Street has reflected the challenges of Buffalo’s industrial past—and the persistence of its neighbors.
After demolition of the former Curtis Malting building in 2006, the site was left contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP). Fenced off and unused, it attracted dumping and graffiti, becoming a visible barrier to revitalization along Niagara Street. Neighbors, including Vision Niagara, pressed the City to address the problem.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) oversaw cleanup and issued a Record of Decision in 2020, determining the site could be safely used by the public. Because full removal of contaminants was not feasible, the property was capped and covered with two feet of clean soil—allowing public access while limiting future use to passive recreation.
With environmental clearance in place, Vision Niagara worked with Councilmember David Rivera to secure a zoning change permitting park use. Funding for design followed, and community stakeholders collaborated throughout the pandemic to imagine a pocket park for the site.
Additional environmental reviews, lost samples, required easements, and interagency approvals slowed progress. As of early 2026, final environmental documents are nearing completion. Once City staffing transitions are finalized, community engagement around the pocket park will resume.
The goal has remained constant: transform a long-neglected site into a safe, welcoming public space for the neighborhood.
2007 – demolition of Curtis Malting nearing completion
1318 Niagara Street: From Industrial Site to Future Pocket Park
2006
Demolition of the former Curtis Malting building begins after City acquisition through tax foreclosure.
2006–2019
Site remains vacant and contaminated; neighbors raise concerns about safety and blight.
2019
Zoning changed to D-0G to allow passive recreation, following advocacy by Vision Niagara and Councilmember David Rivera.
2020
NYS DEC issues a Record of Decision confirming the site is safe for public use with a capped remedy.
Assembly Member Sean Ryan secures $250,000 for park design.
2020–2021
Community stakeholders collaborate on park concepts during pandemic-era Zoom meetings.
City commits $70,000+ toward design.
2022–2024
Additional environmental sampling, retesting, and EPA review required.
2025
Environmental easement approved by Common Council; federal shutdown delays final review.
2026
Final easement and Site Management Plan nearing completion; community engagement to resume.
Concept for pocket park looking south and east
The recent cutoff of SNAP was a big blow to our friends and neighbors. West Side Community Services maintains a food pantry in our neighborhood. During the shutdown, the number of people using the pantry doubled. Although SNAP is coming back on-line, support for the pantry is critically needed and appreciated.
From the director, Crystal Selk:
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Shop Small Business Saturday is a nice opportunity to show your support for local businesses. This year, the official date is November 29th but we can show our love all year long for these special shops and organizations. Every time we have an event in our neighborhood, folks express surprise at how many delightful businesses are here. Take a stroll and check them out for yourself.
Here’s just a sampling:
It’s been a long time but the Niagara Street re-construction is nearing completion. Phase 5, from Porter Ave to Hampshire Street has fresh asphalt and new curb bump outs. What’s left?
Kudos to the City of Buffalo’s Office of Strategic Planning, Buffalo Sewer Authority, NFTA and all the other partners that made this transformation of our neighborhood happen.
Saturday, April 19th, 10:00 am till noon. You are invited to help us with step 1 of a major effort to make Freedom Park fabulous!
Vision Niagara has helped coordinate and organize clean-ups and weeding of Freedom Park for many years. We’ve worked side by side with Friends of Freedom Park. We’re delighted to announce a schedule for prep, planting and weeding at the park because we have more partners to help out! Niagara River Greenway has been instrumental in bringing expertise and coordination to our efforts. Urban Roots is dedicated to garden improvements in our park with help from the Buffalo Botanical Gardens. Rich Products is always ready to donate mulch and other necessities. McKinley High School students are stepping up, once again. How cool is that?
Check the schedule below and come on out. We’d love to have you join us.
