Legislator Tim Kennedy’s South Park Avenue Revitalization Initiative is taking shape in the form of trees. Ground breaking will begin in the Spring for the planting of trees to line South Park Avenue contributing to the initiative’s name, “The Avenue to the Gardens.”

“On September 1, 2005 I unveiled my plan for the revitalization of South Park Avenue to local community members, civic organizations and businessman. In that plan I discussed the need to improve South Park Avenue beautification efforts to aid in stimulating the neighborhood. Since then we have made great progress in our initiative receiving the approval to start Phase One of our beautification plan.”

“I am very pleased with the cooperation of the City, South Park Avenue businesses and homeowners in recognizing the benefits of this initial step in our first stage of development,” Kennedy said, “Trees are often a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. It is this philosophy, in combination with other key stimuli and future funding, that will aid in the revitalization of South Park Avenue.”

“Our first idea was to try to make the Avenue more attractive to business and tenants,” Kennedy said, “Since most of the property on South Park Avenue is cement sidewalks, research shows taking this first step in our initiative to beautifying the Avenue will make the commercial retail area more attractive to shoppers, apartments will rent more quickly, and tenants will stay longer.”

“The benefit from trees are endless,” Kennedy said, “They increase property value, remove carbon dioxide from heavily traveled areas, block noise pollution, increase neighborhood character, increase neighborhood pride, contribute to a neighborhoods aesthetics, soften architectural lines, also trees add a variety of color, form, and texture.”

The remainder of Kennedy’s Phase One initiative will consist of “Avenue to the Gardens” banners sponsored by local business owners giving the Avenue its identity. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for businesses to advertise as well as show community involvement,” Kennedy said.

Beautification of property and compliance on South Park will begin initially targeting the area from Tifft Street to the city line. All beautification efforts will be directed there to set a model for the rest of the “Avenue to the Gardens” initiative.

South Park Avenue is a well-traveled route offering a pathway to the Botanical Gardens and Our Lady of Victory Basilica that are both historic points of interest as well as the pathway to the South towns. To the north, South Park Avenue runs through the Valley and the Old First Ward leading to the waterfront.

Legislator Kennedy, who is partnered with Congressman Brian Higgins, Assembly Mark Schroeder, Councilman Jeffery Conrad, South Buffalo Alive, Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, South Buffalo Neighborhood Housing Services, hopes to expand the project in cooperation with bordering municipalities to extend the beautification theme.

“With the continued cooperation of the above mentioned with Assemblyman Marc Schroeder’s Seneca Street Re-development project and the South Park initiative,” Kennedy stated, “We can expect to see great things to happen for the business owners and residents of South Buffalo.”

Any questions regarding Legislator Kennedy’s South Park Revitalization plan can be directed to Christine O’Connor who is the Special Projects volunteer for Legislator Kennedy’s office. You can reach Legislator Kennedy’s District office at 824-6180 or stop by at 1928 South Park Avenue.

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