Erie County investments in infrastructure, local small businesses, and critical aid for municipal planning are all in evidence this summer on Grand Island with the completion of significant road work, revitalized businesses, and the award of a Planning Grant to guide further growth on the Island. Today Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz joined Erie County Legislators Michael Kooshoian (3rd District) and John Bargnesi (4th District), Town of Grand Island Supervisor Pete Marston and Town Planner James Sharpe, and the owner of Brick Oven Pizzeria, Michael Wilke, at Brick Oven Pizzeria to review the progress.

“Erie County is hard at work this summer, addressing more than 113 miles of county roads, extending critical assistance to over two hundred local small businesses with our Storefront Revitalization Grant Program, and helping municipalities better plan for their own future growth. We see all of that in action here today on Grand Island, and I thank our commissioners and county personnel for the hard work they’re doing to help build a better Erie County. I also thank our partners in the Legislature, some of whom are here today, for supporting these programs that benefit all county residents,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

The Erie County Department of Public Works’ Highways Division recently announced the completion of road work on East River Road in Grand Island. Mill and overlay operations took place on East River from Stony Point to Baseline, a stretch of 1.25 miles and an investment of $385,000. East River Road has a traffic count of 1,227 vehicles per day. This follows recent work completed on Long and Baseline roads on Grand Island.

“This year we are investing nearly $50 million in road projects countywide, addressing more than 113 miles of county roads to provide residents and motorists with the infrastructure they expect,” said Commissioner of Public Works Bill Geary. “We are getting as much work done as possible, weather permitting, and will continue as long as the weather cooperates.”  

“I’m excited to see road work has been completed on East River Road. I want to thank Commissioner Geary, Deputy Commissioner Hoak and the entire highway division for their hard work in making sure this project is completed. I’m happy the county invested over $300K in this project,” added Legislator Michael Kooshoian.

Geary and Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Planning (“ECDEP”) Thomas Baines, along with departmental personnel, were also in attendance at the event. Hundreds of small businesses across Erie County are rejuvenating their storefronts and reinvigorating business thanks to the Erie County Storefront Revitalization grant program, administered by ECDEP, which is investing $15 million over two years in the program to assist local small business owners.

Brick Oven Pizzeria on Grand Island, the recipient of a $40,000 Storefront Revitalization Grant, invested in a new concrete patio for the restaurant to increase business. At the same time, business owner Michael Wilke invested significant funding of his own, replacing the glass at the front of the restaurant and performing other upgrades.

"I want to thank County Executive Poloncarz, county legislators Kooshoian and Bargnesi, and the county as a whole for their outstanding partnership in the effort to modernize our infrastructure and support Grand Island's business community," said James Sharpe, chair of the town's Comprehensive Review Advisory Board and a former Grand Island deputy supervisor. "These projects keep our community moving forward while maintaining the quality of life our residents expect and have worked so hard to preserve."

Legislator Michael Kooshoian said, “A top priority of the administration and the legislature over the last few years has been supporting small businesses. The storefront revitalization program is assisting our small business owners in beautifying their business, but also their communities. Thank you to the County Executive, Commissioner Dan Castle, and DEP for administering this great program. And congratulations to the owners of Brick Oven Pizza.”

“This is a great day for the residents of Grand Island. Thank you to the County Executive, Commissioner Geary, Deputy Commissioner Hoak, and the Highway division for their hard work in getting this work completed,” added Legislator John Bargnesi (4^th District). “And congratulations to the owners of Brick Oven Pizza for their Storefront Revitalization grant. This program has been very beneficial to our small business owners around the county. I want to thank the County Executive and Commissioner Castle and his team for their hard work getting these funds to our business owners.”

Additionally, Commissioner of Environment and Planning Dan Castle announced that the Town received a $30,000 Erie County Municipal Planning Grant to prepare a Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, which will prioritize their future investments in parks and recreational facilities and become part of their overall Town Comprehensive Plan. 

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz noted, “Municipal Planning Grants give towns and villages the ability to plan their community spaces, making them more livable and walkable and improving the quality of life for residents. By providing these grants Erie County gives a boost to local communities and helps them to grow in community-friendly and sustainable ways for the future.”

Background on East River Road:

The Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (“GBNRTC”) scored east River Road as a 6 prior to work beginning. The GBNRTC surface condition rating reflects the amount of scaling, cracking, patching, raveling, and faulting on a road’s surface. The ratings of these measures are made on a one to ten scale, where one represents the “poorest” roadway condition and ten the “best” roadway condition. Pavement scores above six are considered a satisfactory pavement condition, while a score of six (fair) denotes minor deterioration. Surface scores of five and below indicate conditions that should be corrected to prevent further deterioration and the need for complete reconstruction at much higher cost.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Public Works, visit https://www3.erie.gov/dpw/  

# # #