Lawrence Stitt said he doesn't mind the orange construction cones parked in front of his business, Golden Cup Coffee on Jefferson Avenue.
Stitt called it a minor inconvenience that has the potential to translate into a larger payoff.
Stitt is referring to the $32.5 million Jefferson Avenue streetscape project that recently got underway - a two-phase, multi-year initiative aimed at making Jefferson Avenue more welcoming for new, private sector investment and also helping to raise the urban psyche along that key East Side corridor.
"It tells me that this area hasn't been forgotten," Stitt said.
The project was first announced last June by then-Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon - who has returned as South District councilman. Scanlon had hoped the work would have started last summer but delays pushed the work back until earlier this spring.
The intent is to see urban history repeat itself like when Buffalo undertook similar streetscape projects along Niagara Street and Ohio Street and, in each instance, private sector-backed developments followed.
"The hope is you put in public infrastructure dollars and the private sector follows," said Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan. "We have to have streets that work."
The first phase of the work runs between Main Street and Best Street. The bulk of that work should be completed by late fall, with other portions to be finished by next spring.
Following that, the second phase between Best Street and Swan Street will begin and take about one year to complete.
Work includes new street lighting, pedestrian bump-outs, benches, planters, bicycle lanes and other upgrades.
"We want to deliver meaningful improvements that support local businesses, offer safer streets and help with neighborhood pride," said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre.
Dupre and fellow county lawmaker Taisha St. Jean Tard were able to secure $500,000 from the county's Urban Initiative funding program and those dollars will help with repaving Jefferson Avenue.
"What happens on Jefferson Avenue does matter," Dupre said.
Streetscape project will run from Main Street to Swan Street.
Streetscape project will run from Main Street to Swan Street.
