The White House is coming to Buffalo, millions are coming for redevelopment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Queen City got the attention of the White House Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President Tom Perez visited Buffalo.

The senior advisor reviewed several ongoing infrastructure projects in the Queen City, including transportation projects in the Theater District, the controversial Kensington Expressway project and spent more time discussing redevelopment in East Buffalo .

7News’ Pheben Kassahun followed the tour and learned more from diverse voices about the different ways the city hopes to re-imagine Jefferson Avenue and the federal funding that will hopefully make that possible.

The panel that closed Perez’s tour took place at the entrepreneur services organization, the Exchange at Beverly Gray, which included some of Buffalo’s most influential people.

The panel was led by Mayor Byron Brown and discussed one main goal: returning Jefferson Avenue to its glory days.

The first step in the minds of many is to start by reconnecting communities.

“There needs to be a focus on the black community. The black community has been the most disenfranchised and suffered the most harm, both socio-economically and spiritually,” said Sydney Brown, director of the Citizens Alliance economic development.

Developing critical mass also involves adding bricks and mortars to East Buffalo.

The Buffalo Urban League plans to move to Jefferson Avenue as part of this renaissance.

Thomas Beauford, CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, said, “Bring our more than 100 employees directly into this community to contribute to economic revitalization, utilizing the services of local vendors and local businesses.

“The Black Achievers Museum continues to focus on positive African Americans doing great things in Buffalo. We are celebrating our 52nd anniversary,” said Herb Bellamy, CEO of Bellamy Enterprises. “We continue to do business on Jefferson. With this money increasing, we want to do more outreach so people can see what we’re doing.”

They all look forward to a stronger and better Buffalo and the same goes for the Ellicot and Masten districts, which are now occupied by two pioneer women.

Buffalo Common Council for the Ellicott District and Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope said, “It’s a very diverse community with different backgrounds, different needs, but they all want the same things. We want our neighborhoods to be stabilized and this is part of it.

Resources right after 5/14 were crucial for East Buffalo.

The armed violence prevention office was designed as part of the response to the 5/14 attacks. It’s now a playbook for communities facing gun violence.

“Where were the resources for this community. It was really difficult to bring it all together. There was no framework, there was no guide. Nobody knew what to do and so this office was created to be a FEMA response to gun violence to combat gun violence “Mass shootings because of what happened, so I live in gratitude for that,” explained Zeneta Everhart, City Council. Buffalo for the Masten district.

We hope the White House’s investment will also benefit therapy for recurring trauma related to this tragic event.

Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association – Buffalo President Esterphine Green said, “We need good clinicians; of people with master’s degrees, experienced and paid what they are worth so that they can come to this city and deal with special circumstances.

“5/14 was kind of a push to unite, to come together, so we could make Jefferson Avenue what it was,” added Larry Stitts, president of Golden Cup Coffee Company.

According to the Mayor’s administration, this visit to the White House will bring:

• $25 million for Jefferson Avenue
• $15 million for Bailey Avenue for street development
• $100 million to total NFTA for streetscapes and equipment

PREVIOUS COVERAGE RELATED TO THE BUFFALO EAST REDEVELOPMENT: