Following is the breakdown of Mayor Byron W. Brown’s $20 million Fiscal Year 2017 proposed Capital Funding plan for the City of Buffalo. The plan was submitted to Buffalo Common Council yesterday. It details “targeted investments in major infrastructure for economic development, public safety, parks improvements citywide, and arts and cultural organizations.”

Mayor Brown stated, “I am proud to introduce another Capital budget that is fiscally responsible and in alignment with my administration’s goal of growing Buffalo into a City of Opportunity for all people. In recommending individual expenditures, my administration has thoroughly reviewed the recommendations of the Citizens Planning Council (CPC), which evaluated more than $100 million in requests for capital spending. As evidenced by the attached budget, I have adhered closely to the recommendations of the Citizens Planning Council. I’m confident, if the Common Council accepts these recommendations, that these capital investments will enhance and strengthen our city neighborhoods, and the quality of life for our residents for years to come.”

Mandated by the City Charter to be submitted by the Mayor on or before November 1st, the Common Council has until December 15th to adopt the recommended capital budget.

Investing in Infrastructure to spur economic growth, job creation

The $20 million spending plan supports nearly $6 million in city-wide infrastructure improvements, including street resurfacing, sidewalk repair and new ADA ramps.

Investing in Public Safety

Mayor Brown continues his public safety commitment by including $1.9 million in funding for the first phase of a multi-phased infrastructure upgrade program for a Police and Fire Headquarters. It also includes an additional $2.45 million for the purchase of additional state-of-the-art Fire Apparatus.

Investing in city-owned assets

This plan includes significant funding for facility improvements, including $1.2 million for upgrades to Shoshone Pool, $904,958 for major City Hall improvements, and $470,000 to the East Delavan Library, as well as support and improvements for citywide parks improvements, tree removal and planting, and Olmsted Park Pathway and Lighting improvements.

Investing in arts and cultural organizations

$1.6 million in funding was set aside for arts and cultural organizations in Buffalo, including $525,395 for the renovation of the Buffalo Museum of Science Observation Tower, $374,500 to replace the Buffalo Zoo Building roof, $314,431 in improvements to the Allendale Theater and $200,000 for the Buffalo History Museum Portico Restoration.

Highlights of Mayor Brown’s 2017 Recommended Capital Budget include:

City-wide Infrastructure Reconstruction $5,937,591

Demolitions of Buildings/Structures $2,000,000

Police and Fire Headquarters $1,936,625

Arts & Cultural Organizations, including: $1,622,326

Buffalo Arts Commission

Buffalo History Museum

Buffalo Museum of Science

Allendale Theater (Theatre of Youth)

Buffalo Zoo

Purchase of new state-of-the-art Fire Apparatus $2,450,000

Purchase of new state-of-the-art Fire Apparatus $2,450,000 Shoshone Pool $1,200,000

Parks Improvements $1,070,000 East Side Playing Fields: Schiller Park, JFK,



Emerson Football Fields, Riverside Park; and related improvements

City Hall Improvements $904,958

Division of Street Vehicles $856,000

Citywide Tree Removal and Planting $642,000

Citywide Street Lighting Improvements $535,000

BNMC Phase III (20% Local Match Funds) $500,000

BNMC Phase III (20% Local Match Funds) $500,000 Downtown Ball Park (Coca Cola Field) $500,000

East Delavan Library $470,000

East Delavan Library $470,000 Shoreline Trail (20% Local Match Funds) $428,000

Bailey Avenue Bridges Reconstruction (FHWA Match Funds) $300,000

Bailey Avenue Bridges Reconstruction (FHWA Match Funds) $300,000 Broderick Park Seawall (ACOE 50% Match Funds) $252,000

Broderick Park Seawall (ACOE 50% Match Funds) $252,000 Olmsted Park Pathway and Lighting Improvements $145,000

“I thank the members of the Citizens Planning Council for their dedication and commitment to analyzing this critically important information, which will have a lasting and beneficial impact on the City,” said Mayor Brown. “I look forward to working with the Common Council and the City Comptroller in enacting this Capital Budget.”

$5.9 million for citywide infrastructure reconstruction, $1.6 million to Arts and Cultural organizations and $1 million in parks improvements.

A copy of the 2017 Capital Budget can be found at www.city-buffalo.com.