Scajaquada Expressway

Vision

Buffalo Niagara will transform the Scajaquada Expressway corridor into a vibrant, world-class public parkspace, seamlessly extending Delaware Park westward to Black Rock Harbor. By demolishing the expressway, repurposing its land for recreational use, and investing in Delaware Park to create an extraordinary recreational luxury, we will enhance community access, elevate quality of life, and establish the region as a global model for urban green space revitalization.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Demolish the Scajaquada Expressway: Remove the Scajaquada Expressway (NY-198) to eliminate a barrier between communities and reclaim land for public use.
  2. Repurpose Land for Public Park Space: Convert the former expressway corridor into a continuous parkspace, integrating recreational and ecological features.
  3. Expand Delaware Park Westward: Extend Delaware Park west of Elmwood Avenue to Black Rock Harbor, creating a cohesive greenway that connects neighborhoods and the waterfront.
  4. Invest in Extraordinary Recreational Luxury: Enhance Delaware Park with high-quality amenities, innovative design, and year-round programming to create a premier recreational destination.

Key Strategies

1. Demolish the Scajaquada Expressway

  • Expressway Removal: Demolish the Scajaquada Expressway from Delaware Park to Niagara Street, replacing it with a low-speed boulevard to maintain local connectivity while prioritizing pedestrian and bike access.
  • Environmental Remediation: Remediate contaminated soils and restore natural landscapes in the former expressway corridor, ensuring safe and sustainable redevelopment.
  • Traffic Mitigation: Develop alternative traffic routes, such as enhanced arterial roads and public transit options, to minimize disruption during and after demolition.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with New York State Department of Transportation, local municipalities, and community groups to ensure the demolition aligns with regional mobility and equity goals.

2. Repurpose Land for Public Park Space

  • Park Corridor Development: Transform the 30-acre former expressway corridor into a linear park featuring walking trails, bike paths, native plantings, and public gathering spaces.
  • Ecological Restoration: Restore wetlands and native habitats to enhance biodiversity, support migratory species, and improve stormwater management along the Scajaquada Creek.
  • Public Access Points: Create multiple entry points with accessible pathways, ensuring all residents, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the parkspace.
  • Community Programming: Host events like outdoor concerts, fitness classes, and environmental education workshops to activate the park and foster community engagement.

3. Expand Delaware Park Westward

  • Park Expansion: Extend Delaware Park westward across Elmwood Avenue to Black Rock Harbor, creating a 50-acre greenway that links the park to the Niagara River waterfront.
  • Seamless Connectivity: Develop pedestrian bridges, bike lanes, and multi-use trails to connect the expanded park to existing trails like the Niagara River Greenway and Black Rock Canal Park.
  • Waterfront Integration: Incorporate riverfront features, such as boardwalks, fishing piers, and kayak launches, to enhance access to Black Rock Harbor.
  • Cultural and Historical Elements: Install interpretive signage and public art celebrating the region’s indigenous, industrial, and ecological history, enriching the park’s narrative.

4. Invest in Extraordinary Recreational Luxury

  • Premier Amenities: Upgrade Delaware Park with world-class facilities, including a state-of-the-art amphitheater, botanical gardens, adventure playgrounds, and sports complexes for tennis, soccer, and disc golf.
  • Innovative Design: Commission landscape architects to create iconic features, such as a signature pavilion, water features, and interactive art installations, to elevate the park’s aesthetic appeal.
  • Year-Round Programming: Develop seasonal attractions, such as ice skating rinks, cross-country ski trails, and summer festivals, to ensure continuous engagement.
  • Sustainability Features: Incorporate solar-powered lighting, green roofs on park structures, and permeable surfaces to align with Buffalo Niagara’s sustainability goals.

Implementation Plan

  • Short-Term (1-2 Years):
    • Complete a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment for Scajaquada Expressway demolition and park development.
    • Begin design for the linear park and Delaware Park expansion, incorporating community feedback.
    • Launch a pilot project to upgrade one Delaware Park amenity, such as a playground or trail segment.
    • Develop a traffic mitigation plan, including enhanced bus routes and bike infrastructure.
  • Medium-Term (3-5 Years):
    • Complete 50% of expressway demolition and remediate 15 acres of the corridor for park development.
    • Develop 25 acres of the linear park, including trails, public spaces, and two access points to Black Rock Harbor.
    • Implement 50% of Delaware Park upgrades, including a new amphitheater and botanical garden.
    • Host 20 community events in the new parkspace to test programming and build engagement.
  • Long-Term (5-10 Years):
    • Complete expressway demolition and fully develop the 30-acre linear park by 2033.
    • Finish Delaware Park expansion to Black Rock Harbor, achieving a 50-acre greenway by 2035.
    • Complete all recreational luxury upgrades, attracting 1 million annual visitors to Delaware Park.
    • Position the revitalized park system as a top 10 North American urban park destination by 2035.

Metrics for Success

  • Infrastructure Transformation: Complete Scajaquada Expressway demolition by 2033, with zero net increase in regional traffic congestion.
  • Park Access: Ensure 90% of Buffalo residents live within a 15-minute walk or transit ride of the expanded park system by 2035.
  • Recreational Engagement: Achieve 1.5 million annual visitors to Delaware Park and the linear park by 2035, with 50% participating in programmed events.
  • Environmental Health: Restore 10 acres of wetlands and increase park canopy coverage by 20% by 2035 to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience.

Conclusion

By demolishing the Scajaquada Expressway, repurposing its land for a vibrant parkspace, extending Delaware Park to Black Rock Harbor, and investing in extraordinary recreational amenities, Buffalo Niagara will create a world-class urban green space. This strategy will reconnect communities, celebrate the region’s natural and cultural heritage, and establish Black Rock and Delaware Park as premier destinations for recreation and urban living.