The city of Buffalo is taking steps to invest in communities that have been historically underserved, with special attention being paid to areas impacted by the Kensington Expressway.
Stephanie Barber-Geter, a key figure in advocating for the betterment of her community, has been vocal about the essential investments necessary to ensure its prosperity, as seen in a Restore Our Community Coalition video. Over the years, she has drawn attention to the detrimental effects of the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo, N.Y., which has contributed to the segregation and displacement of Black and low-income communities.
"Stephanie Barber-Geter has lived her whole life in East Buffalo - and spent much of it fighting to reconnect her community after a highway was built right through her neighborhood. We joined her in celebrating the project that will make this vision a reality,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a March 18 post on Twitter.
This highway acts as a divisive force, separating and isolating communities from the rest of the city, resulting in Buffalo being labeled as one of the most segregated cities in the nation, according to a Partnership for the Public Good report. Its impact remains ever-present and continues to be a major concern for those invested in addressing systemic inequalities and creating a more equitable society.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is taking bold action to ensure communities across the state aren't left behind in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a January 2022 news release. With a $1 billion investment plan, Hochul is doubling down on her commitment to support community-based organizations and local governments throughout the Empire State.
The focus will be on disadvantaged communities, which have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic's health and economic fallout, according to the release. Hochul's plan reflects a belief that investing in communities is critical for ensuring all New Yorkers have equitable access to resources that support good health, social well-being and economic stability.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins announced Buffalo's Kensington Expressway will be receiving a $55 million transformation investment, according to a Feb. 17 news release. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Reconnecting Communities Program.
"This significant $55 million investment will lay the foundation for a more equitable future for Buffalo’s East Side, helping transform this divisive relic of the past into a site that will bridge divides and spur new economic opportunity,” Schumer said in the release.
