Buffalo’s Department of Public Works has begun paving over portions of the historic brick streets that have long defined the city’s East Side, a move that officials say will address safety concerns and improve travel for drivers and pedestrians.
According to WKBW, residents on Daisy Place welcomed the change after decades of navigating uneven bricks that caused vehicles to “bottom out” and forced drivers to “almost go on the sidewalk to escape the divots.” Long‑time resident Ken Lee, who has lived on the street for about 25 years, described the previous condition as “terrible,” noting that the rough surface acted like an unintended speed bump. Neighbor Billy Banks, a resident of more than 20 years, shared photos of the deteriorated roadway and said the new pavement will protect both cars and walkers, adding, “Pedestrians aren’t going to get hurt by stepping in a sinkhole, basically, and aesthetically, it looks great.”
While Daisy Place now sports smooth asphalt, the brick roadway on nearby Viola Park remains untouched. Residents there, such as Madino Osman, expressed similar frustrations with the uneven surface, especially when walking with children. Osman said paving would make it easier to take her children to the bus and reduce discomfort for family members.
The city’s approach included sending postcards to affected homeowners asking for objections to the paving. WKBW reports that no residents voted against the project. The local councilmember also requested the work, citing the road’s dangerous condition as a primary reason for the upgrade.
City officials emphasized that the historic bricks have not been removed; they lie intact beneath the new pavement and could be restored in the future. However, the department estimates that a full restoration would cost roughly $2 million.
For many, the brick streets carry personal significance. Nicolas Price recalled growing up in his grandmother’s neighborhood, saying, “I liked the bricks because growing up, this is my grandma’s neighborhood, so my whole life I knew the bricks.” He added that while he cherishes the memories, he is not “too mad about change.”
As Buffalo continues to evaluate the balance between preserving its historic character and ensuring modern safety standards, the city says it will monitor the condition of the paved sections and consider restoration options when funding becomes available.
What’s next: The Department of Public Works has not announced a timeline for any further brick‑road restorations, but officials indicated that the $2 million cost estimate will be part of future budgeting discussions.
Sources: wkbw.com
