The NFTA and Senator Tim Kennedy joined leadership from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission and the East Side Garden Walk to announce $366,000 in state funding for the beautification of Buffalo’s Freedom Wall, an important and moving mural that celebrates our nation’s historic and ongoing struggles for political and social equality. The NFTA Board of Commissioners was able to award a design contract to Watts Architecture and Engineering, a progressive, minority owned local firm for $33,840 to design plans to improve the sidewalk area along the Freedom Wall.

The work includes:
• Reconstruction of the area between the concrete wall and street curbing.
• Installation of LED lighting to accent the wall portraits.
• Replacement of worn street curbing and improvement of sidewalk accessibility.

As with any successful public project, community input is essential. The NFTA created a special survey to hear from as many people as possible regarding added elements and improvements at the Freedom Wall.