LaSalle Park is about to get a $50 million facelift to become Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park. Plans for the overhaul are just about set but officials want your input on the project.
The views on how LaSalle Park should be remodeled are as different as the seasons in Buffalo. Mario Espinoza should know.
"I moved here four years ago from East L.A. cause I hated the heat," Espinoza said.
Throughout the spring and summer months, he and his daughters spend time at the park.
"The waterfront is always the most attractive thing. There's smiles all around this park," Espinoza said.
The park will get up to $50 million worth of improvements and be renamed the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park.
Locals say the upgrades are long overdue.
Kelly McGuiness says the entire park needs a full facelift.
"Everything ... Everything," McGuiness said.
Rodric Houston is skeptical that too many changes at the park would re-create canalside's struggle with parking.
"You can't park and you'd have to pay to park if you found somewhere to park," Houston said.
Design plans have been on display for the public to view.
"Conceptual design phase. The next phase is in to schematic design and detail design," Bart Roberts said.
Roberts is the associate director of research at University at Buffalo, and is overseeing the project.
"So there's more work to come and there's more community engagement to happen. We really look forward to having the community come out and to having this continually moving forward," Roberts said.
Design plans are on display at LaSalle Park's pool building Sunday, May 19 until 4 p.m.
There's also an information session Monday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. It takes place at the Northland Workforce Training Center.