The corner of Lafayette and Niagara has recently received a bit of sprucing up. The green aesthetic addition is a quick and easy way to help minimize the hard asphalt sight line from the street. From the Abaca Press side on Lafayette (see here) to the Buffalo Alternative Therapies side on Niagara Street (see FB) there is a noticeable improvement that has been made that helps soften the appearance of the parking lot, while adding utilitarian and artistic amenities at the same time.
Nathan Sowiski designed and fabricated the blue sculpture-esque bike rack. Permeable stones were added, along with industrial flower planters, and barriers to protect from cars. Another plot of land closer to the intersection is also being earmarked for similar plantings.
If there is a street that could use more of this it’s Niagara Street. Thankfully this section of Niagara Street is on the city’s radar for new infrastructure improvements that will look something like this (see here). In the meantime, there are simple solutions that we can do as a community to ensure that our neighborhoods are as people-friendly as they are currently car-friendly.