Humboldt Parkway Restoration

Vision

Humboldt Parkway will be restored as a vibrant, historic, and community-centered corridor that reconnects Buffalo’s neighborhoods, fosters equitable development, and celebrates its cultural heritage. By demolishing the Kensington Expressway, reconstructing the historic at-grade parkway, building two-unit residential structures on vacant lots, and offering zero-interest historic restoration loans, this strategy will revitalize the corridor, enhance residential vitality, and create a model for equitable urban renewal.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Demolish the Kensington Expressway and Reconstruct the Historic Parkway: Remove the sunken expressway and restore Humboldt Parkway as a tree-lined, at-grade boulevard to reconnect communities and restore its historic character.
  2. Construct Two-Unit Residential Structures on Vacant Lots: Develop 2,000 vacant lots closest to the parkway with two-unit residential buildings to repopulate the area and promote affordable housing.
  3. Launch a Zero-Interest Historic Restoration Loan Program: Provide one-time, zero-interest loans to homeowners along the parkway to support historic preservation and enhance neighborhood aesthetics.

Key Strategies

1. Demolish the Kensington Expressway and Reconstruct the Historic Parkway

  • Expressway Demolition: Demolish the Kensington Expressway (NY-33) between downtown Buffalo and the Scajaquada Expressway, filling in the sunken corridor to restore the original grade of Humboldt Parkway by 2032.
  • Historic Parkway Restoration: Reconstruct Humboldt Parkway as a low-speed, at-grade boulevard with wide sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, and a double row of mature trees, inspired by its original Olmsted design.
  • Traffic Mitigation: Redirect traffic to alternative routes, such as enhanced arterial roads and expanded public transit, including bus rapid transit lines, to maintain regional connectivity.
  • Environmental Remediation: Remediate contaminated soils from the expressway corridor and incorporate green infrastructure, such as bioswales and permeable pavements, to manage stormwater and improve ecological health.

2. Construct Two-Unit Residential Structures on Vacant Lots

  • Residential Development: Build 2,000 two-unit residential structures (duplexes or townhomes) on vacant lots within a quarter-mile of Humboldt Parkway, prioritizing affordability with 30% of units designated for low- and middle-income households.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): Partner with private developers and nonprofits to fund and construct housing, offering tax incentives and land grants to reduce costs and expedite development.
  • Sustainable Design: Ensure new residences meet energy-efficient standards, incorporating solar panels, green roofs, and modern insulation to align with Buffalo Niagara’s sustainability goals.
  • Community Integration: Design developments with community input to ensure they reflect the cultural and aesthetic character of the surrounding neighborhoods, particularly the historically African-American East Side.

3. Launch a Zero-Interest Historic Restoration Loan Program

  • Loan Program Structure: Offer one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 to homeowners along Humboldt Parkway for exterior and structural restoration projects that preserve historic architectural features.
  • Eligibility and Scope: Limit eligibility to owner-occupied properties within a half-mile of the parkway, prioritizing repairs to facades, windows, and roofs that align with historic preservation guidelines.
  • Preservation Standards: Partner with the Buffalo Preservation Board to ensure restorations adhere to historic design standards, maintaining the corridor’s Olmsted-inspired aesthetic.
  • Financial Accessibility: Provide application support and financial counseling to ensure equitable access to loans, particularly for low-income homeowners, with a repayment term of up to 15 years.

Implementation Plan

  • Short-Term (1-2 Years):
    • Complete a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment for Kensington Expressway demolition and parkway restoration.
    • Identify and prioritize 500 vacant lots for two-unit residential construction, launching a pilot project for 100 units.
    • Establish the zero-interest loan program, targeting 50 homeowners for initial restoration projects.
    • Develop a traffic mitigation plan, including enhanced bus routes and bike infrastructure, to support demolition.
  • Medium-Term (3-5 Years):
    • Complete 50% of expressway demolition and begin reconstruction of Humboldt Parkway, restoring 2 miles of the boulevard.
    • Construct 1,000 two-unit residential structures, with 30% affordable units, on vacant lots.
    • Distribute $2 million in zero-interest loans to 200 homeowners for historic restoration projects.
    • Host community workshops to gather input on parkway design and housing development.
  • Long-Term (5-10 Years):
    • Complete expressway demolition and fully restore Humboldt Parkway as a 4-mile at-grade boulevard by 2032.
    • Finish construction of 2,000 two-unit residential structures, housing 5,000 new residents by 2035.
    • Distribute $10 million in zero-interest loans to 400 homeowners, achieving 75% historic restoration compliance along the parkway.
    • Position Humboldt Parkway as a national model for equitable urban corridor revitalization by 2035.

Metrics for Success

  • Infrastructure Transformation: Complete Kensington Expressway demolition and parkway restoration by 2032, with zero net increase in regional traffic congestion.
  • Residential Growth: Achieve a resident population increase of 5,000 in the Humboldt Parkway corridor through new housing by 2035.
  • Historic Preservation: Restore 75% of eligible properties along the parkway to historic standards via the loan program by 2035.
  • Community and Economic Impact: Attract $150 million in private investment for housing and generate 500,000 annual visitors to the restored parkway by 2035.

Conclusion

The Humboldt Parkway Restoration Strategy will heal a historic scar in Buffalo Niagara, reconnecting communities divided by the Kensington Expressway and revitalizing the corridor with a restored parkway, new housing, and preserved historic homes. By prioritizing equitable development and cultural heritage, this plan will create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban corridor that serves as a global model for restorative urbanism.