A section of Chippewa Street, between Delaware Avenue and Franklin Street, is now closed to vehicular traffic through Labor Day. It's to allow restaurants along that stretch to accommodate outdoor dining, while maintaining required social distancing
Mayor Byron Brown said it's important for patrons and proprietors to understand - this is not meant to be a block party.
“Now of course the city retains the right if we see people not social distancing, if we see people not wearing masks, not complying with CDC, state health guidelines or county health guidelines, to revoke this permit,” said Mayor Brown.
Ultimately the decision to close off traffic was one to help businesses along the popular entertainment strip, one that was hit hard with closures and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This isn’t to allow mass gatherings on Chippewa. This is to allow more room to socially distance,” Brown said. “You can eat a meal and patronize a restaurant and small business in this particular part of the city that has applied for the street closure through the City of Buffalo’s small business - social distance program.”
