Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The first meeting of the new Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be chaired by OPRHP Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation J. Winthrop Aldrich.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples and Senator Antoine M. Thompson, the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor was established in New York State statute in August, 2007. The heritage corridor is located in the vicinity of Broadway, Elm, Eagle, Pine and Nash Streets in downtown Buffalo, and includes the J. Edward Nash House, the Michigan Street Baptist Church, and the Colored Musicians Club.

"Amid the State's financial crisis that threatens every facet of state spending, I am pleased that the creation of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission has become a reality. The commission's first meeting will establish the foundation as its various members provide the best possible strategies to highlight the Corridor. This historic area will be remembered for its role in the development of African American culture and its monumental achievements and efforts to African American history. I hope that as a result, the Corridor will be added to Western New York's list of major cultural and tourist attractions," Assemblywoman Peoples said.

The law also established a 17-member Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission to work with local leaders and citizens to draft a management plan to develop, preserve and promote the area's unique historic, cultural and natural resources.

Members of the newly appointed commission include: Dr. Felix L. Armfield, George K. Arthur, Willow R. Brost, Karen Stanley Fleming, Dr. Keith P. Griffler, John A. Johnson, Bishop Clarence W. Montgomery, Jr., George Scott, Dr. Edward O. Smith, Jr., Dr. Lillian S. Williams, and Howard A. Zemsky. In addition, six agencies sit as ex-officio, non-voting members: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS Department of Economic Development, NYS Department of State, NYS Education Department, and the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

This meeting will outline the responsibility and structure of the commission. The meeting is open to the public and community involvement is encouraged.

Directions to the meeting site are available at: www.buffalolib.org/libraries/merriweather/index.asp.