More than $803,000 in improvements coming to Village of Kenmore
Congressman Brian Higgins, Erie County Legislator Peter Savage and Village of Kenmore Mayor Patrick Mang marked the start of construction on an $800,000-plus project improving pedestrian and recreational bicycle access along Elmwood Avenue in the Village of Kenmore.
"Kenmore is a great community, and this project builds on the character that brings together the people, neighborhoods and business that make the village a special place," Higgins said. "I commend Legislator Savage and Mayor Mang for their leadership and partnership that made these enhancements possible."
"I am very proud to have helped support this very exciting project, which will enhance the Elmwood business district, in the Village of Kenmore, by promoting increased walkability and accessibility for neighborhood residents," Savage said.
Mang said, "We're thrilled to see these much-needed improvements commence. This project will improve the safety and appearance of Elmwood, which sees so much pedestrian traffic, both for our businesses and for those coming to enjoy the park, pool and Kenmore community center."
The project includes the creation of 6-foot-wide sidewalks along a one-mile stretch of Elmwood Avenue, which serves as a primary thoroughfare connecting local neighborhoods and Mang Park. Project components also include new driveway aprons, ADA-compliant street crossings, replacement of some asphalt with grass, and bus stop enhancements.
The improvements, which will stretch along the east side of Elmwood Avenue from Kenmore Avenue to North End Avenue, further facilitate recreational bicycle and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere along the village business corridor. Erie County owns the right-of-way, and the village sought the grant with the county's permission.
The project is 80 percent federally funded, with a 20 percent local match. Under an intermunicipal agreement, Erie County advanced the local share and will oversee construction as lead sponsor of the project. The Village of Kenmore will pick up the $227,000 local match.
CATCO, a local company based in Alden, was the lowest bidder at $705,825, and will perform the construction work. DiDonato Associates of Buffalo was awarded approximately $97,000 for engineering and design.
Preliminary construction work began last week and is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer, weather permitting.
