Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The $110 million transformation of Ralph Wilson Centennial Park, formerly LaSalle Park, is continuing to evolve near Buffalo's West Side neighborhood.
The focus right now is on one of the iconic features at the park: The
Birdair Amphitheater.
"The Birdair Amphitheater is the structure that people think about when they think about the park. It's where most people saw their first concert. The Freedom Festival and so many other things were there," said Katie Campos, Executive Director of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy.
When construction started at the park, the amphitheater was originally not included in the re-design because it needed a lot of work. But Campos said the community pushed back and insisted it'd be part of the transformation.
"The Ralph Wilson Conservancy is now working to restore it and is currently raising money for it," added Campos. "It's been a gathering place for years and it's really important to us that it is at the same standard as the world class park that we're delivering for our community."
Can't the Amphitheater be included in the $110 million provided by the Ralph Wilson Foundation?
"The park's construction is using all of that funding, because it's not just rebuilding the park. The seawall has been redesigned. There's also a signature bridge over the 190. The non-profit Ralph Wilson Conservancy will be maintaining the park once it is complete," Campos said.
"While many pieces of the park will be completely transformed, we couldn't do everything. A park is never complete."
The anticipated cost of the amphitheater is expected to be about $6 million.
"We've engaged a couple of national foundations that work with music venues to help transform the Birdair Amphitheater while keeping the same look that it currently has."
The Conservancy posts regular construction updates on the park at rwparkbuffalo.org.
They are hoping to open the park in phases beginning in the summer of 2026, with the full park opening in 2027.
