1st Car Rolls Down Main Street As 600 Block Re-Opens To Traffic After 30 Years!

For the past 30 years, the only way through Buffalo's theater district was on foot or on the train. Today city officials opened the gates to allow vehicular traffic on the 600 block of Main Street!

Thanks to a $8 million redevelopment project led by Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Higgins and Mayor Byron Brown cars can now freely cruise down Main street to and through Buffalo's theater district, home to Shea's Performing Arts Center and The Tralf Music Hall.

"Returning cars to Main is a top priority for me because it will support existing businesses, spur more new development, and increase the wonderful forward momentum now coursing through Buffalo and Western New York,” said Senator Charles Schumer.

Elected officials including Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and city leaders gathered at the newly installed traffic control gate this afternoon to take an inaugural ride down Main Street.

“Today is a day that some believed would never happen – cars are back downtown on Main Street in the City of Buffalo. There’s been great synergy and activity along downtown Main St. from Canalside to the Theatre District. With improved accessibility, new infrastructure and public-private investment, the proper groundwork has been laid to bring new small businesses and jobs along a corridor that needed revitalization" - Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples Stokes.

“When cars left Main Street over thirty years ago, so did businesses and jobs,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “I’m thrilled to see traffic finally returning, and the economic activity that will come with it.