Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Standing Committee announces awards

The Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee has announced eight new awards totaling approximately $2 million for beautification and improvement projects along the Buffalo and Erie County portion of the Greenway Trail.

The following projects received funding:

√ Buffalo Heritage Carousel Inc.: inclusive access project – $21,000

√ Buffalo Lighthouse Association: South Buffalo Lighthouse restoration and reuse project – $137,800

√ Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: grand staircase restoration at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park – $220,000

√ Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: Delaware Park Point of the Meadow Shelter Enhancement Project – $425,500

√ Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy: S. arboretum center AND clubhouse enhancement Project – $92,000

√ Buffalo Museum of Science-Tifft Nature Preserve: Tifft Nature Preserve accessible trail – $400,000

√ City of Buffalo: Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park greenway construction – $1,500,000 (Includes 2022 and 2023 awards)

√ Western New York Land Conservancy: Planting trees in the Riverline communities and in Red Jacket Habitat Park – $75,000

The Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee has awarded approximately $27.6 million since its first awards in 2008. More information on the committee can be found at: http://bit.ly/1XA6mTo.

These applicants had to meet a Jan. 18 deadline and present their project to the committee on Feb. 23.

The committee receives funds from the New York Power Authority as part of the settlement agreement related to the 50-year federal license received by NYPA for the Niagara Power Project in 2007. During the term of the license, the Buffalo and Erie County Standing Committee will receive $2 million a year. The committee is composed of one representative each from Erie County, the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and NYPA.

“This Greenway funding is intended to preserve, enhance and develop the natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources in the Niagara River Greenway, which will benefit residents and visitors throughout Western New York,” said Chair Daniel Castle, appointed Erie County representative and commissioner for Erie County Department of Environment and Planning. “Enhancing parkland and improving trail network and access is a key element of each of these projects.”

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. For more information, visit www.nypa.gov or follow on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.