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Humboldt Parkway Restoration

Why It Matters

Humboldt Parkway was part of the Olmsted and Vaux park and parkway system that made Buffalo famous: a broad, tree-lined boulevard through the East Side. The Kensington Expressway replaced it and divided the neighborhoods around it. In 2025, after a court required a full environmental impact statement, the state scrapped its $1.5 billion cap-and-tunnel plan and restarted the process with public listening sessions. That reset is an opportunity to get this right. See our Restore Humboldt Parkway campaign.

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

Restoring Humboldt Parkway would reconnect communities divided by the Kensington Expressway, bring new homes and residents to the corridor, and honor its Olmsted heritage. This plan is part of the PAC’s Turnaround Agenda and our Restore Humboldt Parkway campaign.