Senator Tim Kennedy joined leadership from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission, the East Side Garden Walk, and the NFTA on Friday, June 17, to share renderings for the beautification project of Buffalo’s Freedom Wall. Highlighting individuals who had an impact on black history, the mural celebrates our nation’s history and the continuing struggle for political and social equality. The wall is at the corner of Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street.

Senator Kennedy stated, “I'm grateful to our community leaders for continuing to have a thoughtful dialogue with the NFTA and my office; I'm excited for this progress as we celebrate Juneteenth and the people featured in this iconic Buffalo mural." This public project will cost approximately $734,000 and will begin later this summer with a target completion date of Fall 2022. The improvements, set to start this summer, include: textured paving between the concrete wall and street, LED lighting for the portraits, replacement curbing, improvement of sidewalk accessibility, leaning posts.