BUFFALO, N.Y. -- John Hoefer says Abbott Road needs a little love. He had a chance to sound off Monday evening about the city street alongside fellow residents.
"Anything is an improvement," said Hoefer, a South Buffalo resident.
South District Councilmember Chris Scanlon hosted an open forum to garner comments about a potential redesign from Bailey to Dorrance avenues.
"You've got some aging infrastructure, dangerous areas,” said Scanlon. “We talked to some businesses from time to time, look to come into the area and maybe one thing here or there isn't right for them. Hopefully, this will throw them over the edge to relocate."
Scanlon said he's pushed for improvements since he took office four years ago. After securing capital improvement funds from Buffalo, a study was conducted and an engineering firm came up with three renderings. Designs range from simple milling and repaving to a more elaborate streetscape with lighting and landscaping.
"I like the idea of places to put the snow. I realize those bump outs may take a parking spot away but in the long run it's just going to add to Abbott Road,” said Hoefer.
Others indicated on their sheets they'd rather see a combination of the three.
Fellow South Buffalo resident Sharon Morrissey said, "I think we can decorate along the way, we like the lights, we like the side curbing. South Buffalo doesn't need bump outs, we have too much snow, too much plowing."
Once they sift through public feedback, Scanlon will look to zero in on local, state, and federal funds to turn Abbott Road renderings into reality. Final design, based on complexity, will cost anywhere from $3-9 million to complete.