Council discusses $10 million state grant split for DPW campus land purchase and first phase work

Buffalo City Council members and staff described funding plans for a proposed Department of Public Works campus, centered on roughly $10 million from a state grant.

Staff said about $5 million of the grant would be used for purchase of the land and the remaining roughly $5 million would be directed to a Phase 1A package that staff expects to include a salt barn and minor site work. Staff said additional capital will be sought later for the full Phase 1, which includes moving existing buildings described in the discussion as “bridal barns.”

Commissioner Nasworthy is listed in the agenda as having filed a transfer of funds that would move money that the city expects to be reimbursed by the grant; staff described that transfer as the “receiving funds piece.” Council members asked for clarification of the capital plan during the agenda review.

Council members also flagged there are four separate agenda items tied to the DPW campus and asked that the capital piece be explained in more detail at committee or during the meeting so members could track how the items relate.

No final vote on a land purchase or the use of the grant was recorded in the portion of the transcript available. Staff indicated the grant funds are in hand as a funding source and that subsequent steps — including any transfers, contract awards, and requests for additional capital — would follow the city’s usual procurement and budgeting processes.

Council members asked staff to present more detail about the scope of Phase 1 work and any follow-on capital requests at a later committee meeting so elected officials could assess timing and total costs.