The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority would like to expand its 6.4-mile Metro rail line. It's an idea that failed before, due to outcry from the public. Has the public changed enough to allow this change to come to the region?
"Plans to expand the Metro rail from the University at Buffalo South Campus in Buffalo to the North Campus in Amherst ran aground in the 1980s and 1990s in the face of stiff community opposition and a lack of funding," according to an article by Stpehen T. Watson.
For the first time since the end of the last century, "government officials are again pushing to extend the region's Metro rail system from Buffalo into Amherst," reports Wtason. The question is whether the same residents who opposed the project before will support it this time around.
"Some critics remain, but the organized opposition that sank the Metro expansion plans a generation ago hasn't developed. In fact, in another dramatic change, some business owners and community leaders are enthusiastically embracing the idea," according to Watson.
The remainder of the article digs into more detail about the past and present politics of transit expansion in Buffalo, and begins to speculate about how the expansion would change the lives of those living and working along the proposed route.
FULL STORY: Will Amherst embrace Metro rail extension this time?
Badly Needed Light Rail Funding to the Rescue in Buffalo
State budget wheeling and dealing has yielded $100 million in funding for repairs on the Buffalo Metro Rail system, according to reports.
Buffalo Residents Push Back on Proposed Cap Park
State and local officials say the $1 billion project will heal neighborhoods divided by the Kensington Expressway, but community members say the proposed plan will exacerbate already poor air quality in the area.
Buffalo's New NFL Stadium Paid for by $850 Million in Public Funding
The total estimated cost of the NFL stadium planned for the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, south of Buffalo, New York, comes to $1.4 billion—including $850 million in public funding.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service