Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The 5/14 Memorial Foundation is moving forward with a permanent memorial after securing 18 parcels of land in East Buffalo, 14 of which came from the City of Buffalo.
The Buffalo Common Council approved the sale of 14 city-owned parcels at the memorial site to the 5/14 Memorial Foundation. The agreement outlines the terms for the sale, land use conditions, and the foundation's long-term responsibility to develop and maintain the space as a public memorial.
5/14 Memorial Foundation Chairman Rev. Mark Blue says the land transfer represents a significant milestone in the community's continuing journey to push forward.
"We are deeply grateful to Gov. [Kathy] Hochul, Mayor [Chris] Scanlon, the Common Council, and the members of this community who have worked in partnership with us to achieve site control," said Rev. Blue during Tuesday's announcement. "This brings us one step closer to creating a permanent space for healing, reflection, and education."
Common Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope says the land transfer marks a powerful step toward healing and remembrance for the East Side community.
"This moment represents more than a transfer of land — it is a transfer of purpose, of collective will, and of deep resolve to remember those we lost on May 14th and the community that continues to rise in their honor. The establishment of a permanent and living memorial affirms that Black lives matter, that the East Side of Buffalo matters, and that the legacy of those 10 beautiful souls will forever be etched not only in stone, but in our city’s conscience," said Halton-Pope. "I’m proud to stand with my colleagues, Gov. Hochul, Mayor Scanlon, and the 5/14 Memorial Commission as we take this next step forward — grounded in remembrance and committed to healing."
The 5/14 Memorial project is a planned permanent tribute to honor the 10 Black lives lost in the racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue three years ago on May 14, 2022. The memorial, titled "Seeing Us", will feature 10 interconnected stone pillars inscribed with the victims' names.
The memorial is expected to cost around $15 million. So far, New York State has committed $5 million, and the City of Buffalo has pledged $1 million.