Using Poor People's Bread Money to Buy Cake for the Rich!
By Betty Jean Grant
Betty Jean Grant
For decades, community activists, concerned citizens, and some elected representatives have been calling for the Eastside of Buffalo to receive its fair share of city resources. However, much like a fire that dies without fuel, the Eastside has withered due to the redirection of funds and resources to large-scale development projects favored by Buffalo City Hall.
Example 1: The Solar City Debacle
One of the most glaring examples of misallocation of resources is the decision to invest nearly $1 billion in the “white elephant” on South Park Ave., officially known as Solar City, then Tesla, and potentially other names in the future. This project was a massive mistake made by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, former Mayor Byron Brown, and the Buffalo Common Council. They approved the construction of a solar panel facility without conducting proper research into the local market demand, ultimately wasting valuable resources that could have been used to improve the community’s quality of life.
Example 2: The Joint School Construction Project Failure
Over $1 billion was invested in the Joint School Construction Project, aimed at building three new schools and renovating at least 11 existing ones. The construction bid was awarded to a local company with the promise of hiring minority subcontractors. However, the project ended in failure: no new schools were built, and fewer than half of the promised 11 schools were renovated. Despite promises that multiple Black contractors would become millionaires, none of them achieved this goal. An audit revealed a deficit of over $350,000, but the whereabouts of the missing funds remain unclear. One thing is certain: this project did not benefit the Eastside of Buffalo.
Example 3: The Bills Stadium Deal
A new stadium for the Buffalo Bills football team was proposed, with Governor Kathy Hochul and some Erie County legislators claiming that Buffalo was in the running to house the new stadium. However, none of them advocated for or mobilized the community to push for a dome-covered stadium within the city. Although a downtown stadium could have brought tremendous economic benefits to the Eastside, no one was willing to risk their political careers to fight for it. Additionally, approving the stadium deal without a community-driven Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) rendered the community’s leverage ineffective, further sidelining the interests of Eastside residents.
Example 4: Mismanagement of Funds
Hundreds of millions of dollars have flowed into Buffalo, but apart from the proliferation of counseling and health service agencies, and the controversial tunnel project, very little funding has actually reached the Eastside of Buffalo. The city’s promises to invest in the community remain largely unfulfilled.
While plans for new homes for the African American Cultural Center, the Buffalo Urban League, and a 514 Memorial Monument seem to be underway, there is concern that these funds will suffer the same fate as those allocated for the Water Bill Forgiveness Program—reallocated to other purposes.
As we look ahead, it remains uncertain what the future holds for Buffalo's poorest section, despite the many promises that have been made. The need for equitable development and proper resource allocation on the Eastside is critical, and the community deserves accountability and action that prioritizes its needs.