Vacant Lots Are a Symptom, Not the Cause

By Rev. Steve Lane of St. Philip’s Church of Buffalo

During recent mayoral debates, candidates were asked how they would address the issue of Buffalo’s many vacant lots. Yet, none spoke to the deeper question: Why are there so many vacant lots in the first place?

Buffalo’s population hasn’t disappeared—it has shifted. The construction of the Route 33 expressway enabled a mass exodus to the suburbs, draining life from once-thriving neighborhoods. The vacant lots we see today are not the root problem; they are a symptom of decades of disinvestment and flawed urban planning.

Focusing solely on filling these lots without addressing the underlying causes is political theater. Real change requires confronting the systemic issues that created this landscape.

One meaningful step would be to remove the Route 33 expressway, which acts as a funnel pulling people and prosperity out of the city. In its place, we should restore the radial street system that once supported vibrant communities and local businesses. Reconnecting neighborhoods and encouraging organic traffic flow will help attract investment and rebuild the urban fabric from the ground up.

Until we address the real reasons behind the vacancies, any talk of revitalization will remain just that—talk.