Front Park to get $22 million makeover

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Front Park was Buffalo's first waterfront park, built to show off the Queen City's natural beauty. But over time, construction ruined the views and the greenspace.

Now millions of dollars will be spent over the next couple of years to bring this historic and neglected greenspace back to life. The park near the Peace Bridge will get a $22 million makeover.

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy President Thomas Herrera-Mishler said, "We've really wanted to restore the park's landscape, we wanted to restore its connection to the surrounding neighborhood."

He says for decades they've been working to restore the historic greenspace back to the way it used to be. They want to get rid of a road in the park that connects Peace Bridge traffic to Porter Avenue. The road has been there for 60 years, but if everything goes according to plan, by 2015 it will be gone.

"The fumes, the noise, all of the traffic will go away directly onto the 190," Herrera-Mishler said.

Aa new ramp will be built from Porter Avenue next to the 190, connecting traffic to the Peace Bridge. The conservancy's president says the change will attract more people to the park and create a safer space. He believes changes are worth the $22 million price tag.

Congressman Brian Higgins helped get most of the money for this project.