Riverline Project Dries up for Buffalo’s First Ward

It’s now the path less traveled by: The Riverline project that would have reclaimed an old railroad trail and connected Canalside to an area of the Buffalo River in the Old First Ward has been discontinued.

The project was first introduced in 2017, but delays and other factors have driven up costs to complete the 1.5-mile project to an estimated $50-$70 million to complete.

In a statement released this week, the Western New York Land Conservancy said seven years of work in partnership with the NFTA and community organizations dreamed of revitalizing the DL&W Corridor “by transforming it into a vibrant nature trail and greenway for all to enjoy. As the Riverline project was set to transition from planning to construction, the Riverline Board of Managers and the Land Conservancy voted to create a new 501(c)3 to ensure the Riverline could independently raise funds, apply for grants, and continue to work with the NFTA to complete the Riverline.”

Unfortunately, the group says, it wasn’t meant to be.

“The NFTA has decided it will not work with the Riverline 501(c)3. This decision is a blow to both the Land Conservancy and the Riverline. It is also a great disappointment to all of the community members, partners, and supporters who have put their time, energy, and resources behind moving this project forward. In the end, this corridor is the property of the NFTA, and without their cooperation and participation, nothing is possible.”

The Land Conservancy offered its thanks to current and former New York State congressmen Brian Higgins and Tim Kennedy for securing a total of $1.6 million in funding for the project, plus an additional $1 million in federal funds, to construct the Mackinaw Street Playgarden and a section of the Del Woodlands trail, which the NFTA has agreed to complete. “The Riverline staff will continue working through the end of this year on the Riverline Study, which can be used to guide any future work on the project.”

News of the project’s abrupt end came as a surprise and disappointment, with a little confusion thrown in as the NFTA says the Land Conservancy decided to leave the project.

“NFTA’s agreement was with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Western New York Land Conservancy that has a proven track record of success, not with an independent start-up organization,” the agency says. “We will meet all obligations with respect to outstanding grant agreements and will make sure that all grant funds which have been secured by us are invested in tangible improvements to the corridor that support significant and lasting community benefits."

The conflict appears to be over the creation of the new 501(c)3 that would have allowed the project to work independently to raise funds, secure grants while also working in partnership with the NFTA, a method the Land Conservancy says is common practice utilized by other Highline Network projects across the country in which former railroad tracks are converted into public use paths and parks.

“It is a disappointment for all of us businesses, community (members), families,” said Claire Sumbrum, executive director of the Old First Ward Center.

Rep. Kennedy said the trail as proposed “would transform a long-neglected part of the city into an oasis and a regional attraction to be enjoyed for generations to come. I’m extremely disappointed that after years of planning and investment, this project has been abandoned by the Western New York Land Conservancy. Our community deserves better than another broken promise... I am calling on the NFTA and all relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to get this project back on track.”