5 days ago
Two mayoral candidates talk Buffalo's commercial corridors
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two candidates for Buffalo mayor, Sean Ryan and Chris Scanlon, talked about commercial corridors Friday during their respective news conferences.
New York State Senator Sean Ryan stood in Lafayette Square Friday morning to lay out his plans, if elected, for improving downtown Buffalo.
Ryan wants to take a full assessment of downtown infrastructure to better understand the downtown tax base and expand it. That plan includes investing in capital projects to rebuild Main Street and the downtown core. Additionally, he plans to address underutilized lots and buildings.
Ryan also said he'll name a downtown development coordinator and small business liaison. That's in addition to working towards creating a sales tax-free zone in hopes of small businesses coming back to Main Street.
Ryan also shared more about his small business microloan program.
'I will also create a small business microloan program that will provide grants of up to $10,000 to existing and emerging small businesses,' said Ryan. 'These grants will help people quickly get on their feet, help existing businesses stay competitive, and allow them to invest in things like technology, minor upgrades to their physical conditions, or to purchase new equipment.'
Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon also held a news conference Friday, launching his 'Keep Buffalo Beautiful' campaign. Trash removal, pothole patching, graffiti removal and addressing broken parking meters are among the items this citywide campaign will focus on.
'This is not just a campaign,' Scanlon said. 'This is a commitment. This is a commitment moving forward to quality of life in our neighborhoods and to our commercial corridors. When we invest in clean, vibrant corridors, we invest in Buffalo's economic future and the well-being of everyone who lives near and around our commercial corridors. So, I look forward to working with our partners, and together we'll keep Buffalo beautiful.'
Scanlon said crews have already been out working in various areas around the city. The initiative was launched along Elmwood Avenue, and we're told it will expand. Scanlon says that includes Broadway-Fillmore, South Park, Grant Street, Niagara Street, Bailey Avenue and Amherst Street.
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Ryan said in part on Friday that as long as the same tired leadership is in City Hall, there will be the same tired results. He added that Buffalo needs a mayor with a fresh vision.
Scanlon responded to Ryan's news conference, saying in part that his administration has been proactive, implementing tangible initiatives for economic growth, supporting small businesses, and enhancing Buffalonians' quality of life.
Scanlon added that this is Sean Ryan's latest attempt to paint a bleak picture of Buffalo and ignore their progress.
To read more from Ryan's campaign about this announcement, read below.
To read more of Scanlon's response, read below.
STATEMENT-FROM-MAYOR-CHRIS-SCANLON-1Download
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
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