Downtown 2040 Plan

The City of Buffalo is finalizing the Downtown 2040 Plan which provides new strategies and recommendations for how the downtown will grow and change over the next couple of decades.  The plan outlines four character areas in the downtown and outlines recommendations and improvements over the next 20 years.  The Downtown 2040 Plan is not a single project that will transform the area, but rather a City-guided, developer driven overarching vision that will direct City goals and initiatives over the next two decades.

Read the Plans

Read the full Downtown 2040 Plan (PDF).  If you don’t have time for 60 pages, try viewing the 24-minute video summary or reading the 17 page highlights excerpt (PDF).

The Downtown 2040 Plan includes key policies and recommendations that will guide the Planning Commission, Housing & Redevelopment Authority and City Council with future decision making. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the context, setting and existing conditions including identifying distinct character areas. Chapter 2 explores applicable issues and a variety of opportunities, most carefully discussed with the Stakeholder Group. Chapter 3 sets up the plan framework that organizes specific recommendations for each character area. Chapter 4 focuses on implementation and possible phasing for improvements.

Feedback & Questions

Over the last few months the City has gathered feedback from members of the public, downtown stakeholders, and the City council, Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and city advisory boards.  Some repeating themes arose from the questions and feedback and are summarized in this FAQ document (PDF).  Recorded ZOOM Video from meeting that was held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 is also available for viewing.  On April 8, 2021, the HRA approved the final draft of the Downtown 2040 Plan which will now be presented to the City Council for adoption.