Waterfront Revitalization Program proposes removal of LaSalle Expressway
Falls officials have presented the first, of what are expected to be multiple, 'preferred concepts' for the city's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).
The concept unveiled at a public workshop at LaSalle Preparatory School on Monday evening, calls for the removal of the LaSalle Expressway and its replacement by an 'at grade main street' surrounded by primarily residential development, some small-scale retail and new green space. The detailed design was selected from a number of developmental concepts first presented to the public during a meeting in July.
'We're trying to identify specific projects for the LWRP,' Falls Planning Director Kevin Forma said. 'The (goal) is to remove barriers to access to the (Falls') waterfront. It's about improving connectivity to the waterfront.'
He said tearing down the LaSalle Expressway, an elevated 4- to 6-lane highway that divides the community and inhibits waterfront access, is a good starting point for the LWRP.
A second workshop, tonight at 6 p.m. at the John Duke Senior Citizen Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., will focus on concepts to redesign the Niagara Scenic Parkway between John Daly Boulevard and the I-190, providing enhanced bicycle and pedestrian amenities on Hyde Park Boulevard, and converting the former Falls Public Safety Building to community use.
The city is partnering with the New York State Department of State, and other state departments and agencies, to create the revitalization plan. A written plan, with specific project proposals, is expected to be released by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
The program is funded by New York State.
Sam Gordon, with EDR, an environmental and design consulting firm told residents attending the workshop that his group had 'looked at a variety of alternatives' to replace the expressway.
'Could it be a greenway corridor, could it be a parkway corridor or can it be street level,' he said. 'We hope to establish a neighborhood in its place, a new Main Street for LaSalle.'
The design presented to the public shows a grade level two-lane roadway stretching from 65th Street to Williams Road. It features trees lining the street with lots for 'infill housing', interspersed with parks and other green spaces.
A bike path runs parallel to the street and a median is featured for the length of the road.
Josh Randle, a member of the Niagara Beautification Commission asked about 'who would take care of the median?' Randle cited the failure of the city and state to maintain medians on Niagara Street and John Daly Boulevard in the South End tourist district.
'A median is something that is frequently difficult to care for,' Randle said.
Gordon agreed and suggested that the state and city would need to develop a 'plan' for median maintenance. He also said tearing down the expressway would require an environmental review and removal of the 'fill' that was brought into the neighborhood during the construction of the elevated highway.
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