Research Studies

Humbolt Parkway Deck – Economic Impact Study

April 25, 2014
Prepared by: School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Funded by: New York State Department of Transportation

Summary:

This report was commissioned by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to determine the possible economic impacts of constructing a $560 million (2015 dollars) deck over the existing NY Route 33 Expressway, commonly known as the Kensington Expressway. Within the City of Buffalo limits, NY Route 33 has been designated a Commemorative/Memorial Highway named in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “NY Route 33”, “Kensington Expressway”, and “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway” are used interchangeably within the context of this report. The three-quarter mile stretch of expressway would be covered by a park resembling the previously demolished Humboldt Parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

The impact study presented here uses industry standard input-output modeling software (IMPLAN) and a predictive regression model to explain potential impacts over a 30 year timeline that span three distinct scenarios. Download Full Study

Bridging the Gap – Decking over the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo New York

Spring, 2013

Prepared by: A Joint Architecture and Urban Design Studio, Professors Hiro Hata & Harry Warren, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Summary:

The results shown below are estimates of increases to regional economic activity (Regional Output), local home values (household wealth), tax revenue to Erie County and the City of Buffalo, and regional employment that would result from the construction of the Humboldt Deck. The results are also accompanied by a “multiplier.” This is a commonly used measure in the economic development industry to compare economic impacts across several projects and generally range from 1.5 to 3.0 for highway infrastructure projects. To better understand this measure, it is helpful to think of it in terms of an input and resulting output. For example, a project yielding a multiplier of 2.5 can be thought of as a $1.00 input into the economy that produces $1.50 in spin-off economic activity. Download Full Study