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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2009 Archives > May 2009 > Safe Routes To School Infrastructure Improvement Project Increased

Safe Routes To School Infrastructure Improvement Project Increased

Contact: Peter K. Cutler
              851-4841

MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

 Existing $765,000 Infrastructure Improvement Project Increased by $209,000 for Additional Curb and Sidewalk Upgrades on Streets Bordering Hamlin Park School #74

Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced increased funding to the existing contract for infrastructure improvements that will take place in the neighborhood bordering Hamlin Park School #74 on the city’s East Side. The work ties into the Safe Routes to School program, which is a federally funded program through the New York Department of Transportation that’s designed to improve traffic safety, increase physical activity, promote healthy lifestyles and preserve the environment for Buffalo Public School students. The program was announced last October at Hamlin Park School #74.

By boosting the existing contract of $764,876.20 by an additional $209,420, the full curb and sidewalk improvement project will now total $974,296.20.

“When I first announced funding for this work last year I said that this is a great opportunity for the City of Buffalo to enhance not only the infrastructure connected to our local schools, and to improve the environment by reducing automobile traffic, but to encourage physical activity in our children and enhance our environment by providing them with quality conditions for walking and riding their bicycles to school. I’m now pleased to add another $209,000 to the important infrastructure upgrades to the curbs and sidewalks in the neighborhood surrounding the Hamlin Park School,” said Mayor Brown.  “Through the strong support of our state legislative delegation, especially State Senator Antoine Thompson who worked very aggressively to help bring the Safe Routes to School resources to Buffalo, we are making critically important infrastructure improvements at intersections near School 74, which will improve the safe passage of our children to and from school.”

Through the Safe Routes to School competitive grant program, the City of Buffalo won $550,000 to create safe, convenient and fun opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to school. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is focused upon creating safe, convenient and fun opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to school. The program helps address critical issues relating to children’s health, safety and quality environments with a focus at Hamlin Park School #74, in addition to a citywide social marketing campaign. 

"It is important that school communities are provided with curbs and sidewalks to keep children safe and promote exercise through walking and bike riding.  I'm very pleased that Buffalo will receive additional funding for this initiative," said Senator Antoine Thompson.


"Now with close to $1 Million in funding for the Safe Schools program, this is a great opportunity for Buffalo to increase safety awareness for its students and parents,” said Assemblywoman Chrystal Peoples.  “I aggressively pushed for this funding because during school hours, parents are not only concerned about the safety of their children within school walls but also en route to and from school. This program alleviates some of these concerns, and arms parents with the knowledge needed to create safe routes. The presence of clean, safe surroundings and clear signage  encourages more children to walk or ride bikes to school. This opportunity promotes a healthy lifestyle for our children that includes physical activity."

“We are pleased that this project has come to completion,” said Councilman Demone Smith.  “The children now have a better opportunity to safely walk or ride their bicycles to school.  As the Councilmember of the Masten District, I am fully aware of the issue this community faces.   I understand that this project will not only improve the overall quality of the neighborhood but also improve the lives of the youth in the community.  This project has enabled us to impact the Hamlin Park area and serve as a true model for what safety is all about.”