AUTHORITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senator Kennedy, NFTA Announce State Funding For Improvements at Buffalo’s Freedom Wall
NFTA Seeking Continued Public Input as Important First Steps in the Beautification of the Freedom Wall Take Shape
Senator Kennedy, NFTA Announce State Funding For Improvements at Buffalo’s Freedom Wall
Funding from Senator Tim Kennedy Will Help The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission, The East Side Garden Walk and the NFTA Improve the Area Around This Inspiring Landmark
NFTA Seeking Continued Public Input as Important First Steps in the Beautification of the Freedom Wall Take Shape
BUFFALO, N.Y., - The NFTA and Senator Tim Kennedy joined leadership from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC) and the East Side Garden Walk (ESGW) Thursday to announce $366,000 in state funding for the beautification of Buffalo’s Freedom Wall, an important and moving mural that celebrates our nation’s historic and ongoing struggles for political and social equality. With this state funding, the NFTA Board of Commissioners was able to award a design contract to Watts Architecture and Engineering, a progressive, minority owned local firm for $33,840 to design plans to improve the sidewalk area along the Freedom Wall.
The work includes:
- Reconstruction of the area between the concrete wall and street curbing.
- Installation of LED lighting to accent the wall portraits.
- Replacement of worn street curbing and improvement of sidewalk accessibility.
"The Freedom Wall is a celebration and a tribute to the African American civil rights leaders, past and present, who have transformed the fight for social justice and equality. I’m proud to have secured this funding for the enhancement and beautification of this powerful mural, so that its vision can truly be showcased and amplified in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor," said Senator Tim Kennedy.
“The Freedom Wall is the most significant public art display in Western New York," says Samantha White, East Side Garden Walk. "It beautifully illustrates both the strength and struggles here in our community, and in our nation, and because of that, it needs to be well cared for, beautifully obtained, and continuously improved. The input from the community meetings so far have shown a significant amount of enthusiastic interest among the community to work together to maintain and improve the area around the wall and thanks to a grant from Senator Tim Kennedy, resources will be available to make those needed improvements."
"We are so grateful to Senator Kennedy who continuously fights for important and meaningful funding for projects like the beloved Freedom Wall," said Kim Minkel, NFTA Executive Director. "Thanks to Senator Kennedy we will have the money needed to improve the curb appeal around the Freedom Wall. This moving public art project has become a major destination in Western New York, and we are proud to be part of the Freedom Wall and all it represents."
As with any successful public project, community input is essential. The NFTA has created a special survey to gather public opinion, so it can hear from as many people as possible on added elements and improvements at the Freedom Wall. Please click here to provide valued feedback. Your viewpoint is important and will help direct this important project.
As an advocate for the community, the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission endeavors to integrate the African American cultural significance and impact on Buffalo’s history through public engagement, community education that will encourage cultural appreciation, preservation, and community development.
The East Side Garden Walk is an annual self-guided garden tour that aims to create a more vibrant and beautiful community by sharing gardens, stories, and the spirit of perseverance with those from within and outside the east side community and neighborhoods. The ESGW is one way for East Side residents to take control of the narrative that proving community activism can also begin with a garden.
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