Botanical Gardens celebrates $31M renovation project
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Local and state officials are celebrating the groundbreaking of a $31 million renovation and expansion project for the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
"Much like a thriving plant that has become too large for its pot, the Botanical Gardens has outgrown its current spaces and we are ready to grow beyond the glass," said Erin Grajek, president & CEO of the Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens has had gardens blossoming since 1900. It welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year and now is seeing a transformation.
The project includes 90,000 square feet of renovation for planting new gardens, 14,000 square feet of renovations, and more than 16,000 square feet of new construction.
The transformation will include new features, including a new welcome center, an expanded gift shop, a Garden Market Cafe, two new classrooms in a Learning Lab, new event spaces, a Horticulture Center, and sustainability and accessibility initiatives.
"To have a community that you can be proud of, you've got to go big and that's what this additional project is. It's going big to build on the legacy of the past to ensure this facility, the main gardens building, of course, are here for more than another 125 years, but that we're able to take advantage of what this brings to our greater community," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
New York State is investing $12 million into the project, and Erie County is investing $7 million into the project that is anticipated to be complete in late 2026 or early 2027.
"A $31 million investment signals that this community matters, and sometimes people who live here all their lives, they overlook how extraordinary this community is," said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The Botanical Gardens says 94% of the funding has been raised and there's $2 million to go to reach $31 million. They've started a public capital campaign called "Growing Beyond the Glass" to raise the remaining funds needed.
To find out more information about the project or to donate to the campaign, visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens here.