Construction continues on the first phase of a multi-year effort to bring two-way vehicular traffic back to Main Street. The $2.4 million streetscape project on the 700 block is scheduled to be complete in July.
The restoration of vehicular traffic on Main Street, from Goodell Street to HSBC Arena is expected to cost in excess of $40 million. Work crews are putting the finishing touches on the first phase, from Tupper to Goodell Street.
The construction on Main Street and a flurry of building redevelopments has brought new life to the block. World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara took space at 725 Main relocating from Delaware Avenue. Also new to the block is BCG Property Management at 723 Main, and Avalon Document Services at 721 Main.
Avalon Development is currently renovating 715 Main Street at the corner of Tupper. The building is receiving a new brick facade and new windows (photo below).
Buffalo attorney Eric Genau is planning a wine store at the 715 Main Street property. City Wine Merchant will offer a large variety of wines and will host tasting events. 2,500 sq.ft. of retail space on the Tupper Street side of the building is still available.
Other recent additions on the south end of the 700 block include Zoom Copy, Chow Chocolat, and Hair to go Natural. The critical 700 block between West Tupper and Goodell streets connects the Theater District to Allentown and the nearby Medical Campus.
With Road and Utility work complete, trees have replaced bland sidewalks, including a center median. There will be bike lanes, with diagonal parking eliminated.
As part of the 700-block work, the city will also convert a section of West Tupper Street– between Pearl and Washington streets — from one-way, eastbound traffic, to a bi-directional thoroughfare.
Design work will be underway this year for the addition of cars to the 600 block of Main Street, as well as the foot of Main Street, from the Buffalo River to Exchange Street.
Photos Taken Wednesday by Nathan Mroz (Buffalonian4life) of BuffaloScenicPrints.com