City of Buffalo NY; US DOT Grants; Benefit-Cost Analysis; 2011-2022

Main Street, Buffalo NY (photos by Buffalo Rising)

From 2011 to 2022, Glenn Kellogg (as Urban Advisors) was instrumental in securing a total of $58 million in Department of Transportation grants to transform Buffalo, NY’s Main Street and revitalize its historic streetcar corridor. Supporting the effort to advance the city’s “Complete Streets” vision, we provided the rigorous analysis and strategic framing that made these proposals successful.

Kellogg conducted detailed benefit/cost analyses, quantifying the project’s wide-ranging impacts—evaluating land productivity, the residual value of right-of-way improvements, employment growth, increased retail spending, and reductions in injuries. Our ability to highlight and articulate the value of each benefit through the rubric of DOT policy resulted in compelling, data-driven cases for investment.

Thanks to our efforts, Buffalo was awarded a $15 million grant in 2011, an $18 million grant in 2015, and a $25  million grant in 2022—transformative funding that is reshaping Main Street and creating a safer, more vibrant urban environment.