NFTA-Metro Kicks Off First Year of Free Parks Adventure BusīUFFALO, N.Y.- NFTA-Metro, the New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation, and the Erie County Parks Department have partnered to offer free Saturday bus service to connect riders to seven of Western New York’s most popular parks. A special community panel conducted a survey, held public meetings and provided key data and direction to ensure that the project truly reflects the desires of the community. This initiative had a considerable amount of community input. This public project will cost approximately $734,000, and will begin later this summer with a target completion date of the Fall 2022. "I'm grateful to our community leaders for continuing to have a thoughtful dialogue with the NFTA and my office, and I'm thrilled to celebrate this progress as we celebrate Juneteenth and the people featured in this iconic Buffalo mural." From the very beginning of this process, it was important to us that we were collaborating with groups like the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission and members of the East Side Garden Walk to discuss what these improvements would look like and how they would be incorporated into this powerful piece of art," said Senator Tim Kennedy. "This enhancement project will ensure that the Freedom Wall is truly illuminated and appreciated in the way it deserves to be. This moving public art project has become a major destination in Western New York, and we are proud to be part of the Freedom Wall and all it represents.” “Thanks to Senator Kennedy we will have the money needed to improve the curb appeal around the Freedom Wall. “We are so grateful to Senator Kennedy who made this important and meaningful project come to life,” said Kim Minkel, NFTA Executive Director. Replacement of worn street curbing and improvement of sidewalk accessibility.Installation of LED lighting to accent the wall portraits.Reconstruction of the area between the concrete wall and street curbing.The improvements, set to start this summer, include: Senator Kennedy is to be thanked for obtaining the state funding needed for the project. Never has this symbolic public artwork had more meaning for the Western New York Community in the wake of the tragedy that occurred on May 14, 2022. The Freedom Wall, located at the corner of Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street, is an important and moving mural that celebrates our nation’s historic and ongoing struggles for political and social equality. We value their ongoing partnership and commitment to keeping our community safe.Īs the Community Begins Juneteenth Celebrations, Leaders Unveil the Future Look of the Inspiring LandmarkīUFFALO, N.Y., - Senator Tim Kennedy joined leadership from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC), the East Side Garden Walk (ESGW) and the NFTA on Friday to share renderings of what the future holds for the beautification project of Buffalo’s Freedom Wall. We are grateful to the many organizations that are taking part in this important drill. Volunteers will be dressed up with fake injuries and will be safely extricated from the wreckage and carried to waiting ambulances. This event will not impact airport operations. Our top priority is the health and safety of both our passengers and staff, and the entire Western New York Community.” “This is an excellent opportunity for us to test and evaluate our rescue skills. “Federal Aviation Administration regulations require a full-scale exercise once every three years to test the airport’s emergency plan,” stated Lee Weitz, director of aviation. Airport fire fighters, NFTA police and other emergency workers along with airport personnel will simulate the duties they would perform during a real emergency. This exercise serves as practice for airport fire departments and local agencies that would normally respond to an aircraft incident at the airport. In this mock exercise there are multiple injuries, fatalities and a significant jet fuel spill on airport property. The aircraft diverts to the Buffalo Airport and lands long and leaves airport property and comes to rest on Genesee Street near Holtz.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) full scale exercise will take place on Saturday August 27, at 8:30 in the morning until 11:00 a.m. Volunteers will take part in the simulation based on a scenario that there is a diverted aircraft flying from NYC to San Francisco. Drill will test and evaluate preparednessīUFFALO, N.Y., - The Buffalo Airport Fire Department along with other local first responders will stage a full-scale emergency drill to test the response to a catastrophic incident on airport grounds.