Buffalo anticipates heavy traffic Friday evening with major events, including a ‘Key to the City’ ceremony for Dion Dawkins and concert by Paul McCartney.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you’re headed to downtown Buffalo Friday evening, there will be lots of events happening, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to navigate traffic and find parking.
Beginning at 5pm, Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon will hosting a ‘Key to the City’ ceremony honoring Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins in Niagara Square. This family-friendly event is free and thousands of fans are expected to be in front of City Hall.
That’s not the only big event happening in downtown.
Thousands of people are also expected to attend Shea’s Performing Arts for ‘Wicked’. The show begins at 7:30pm.
At the KeyBank Center, the legendary Paul McCartney is bringing his ‘Got Back’ Tour. That show starts at 8:00pm.
For the Dion Dawkins ‘Key to the City’ event, there will be road closures and traffic adjustments around Niagara Square and City Hall starting at 9am. There will be barricades and signage, as well as Buffalo Police Officers directing traffic. The NFTA will reroute some buses around Niagara Square during the event.
City officials encourage anyone coming downtown Friday evening to arrive early, carpool if possible or use public transportation.
There will be limited-to-no on-street parking in and around Niagara Square. The city is urging residents and visitors to use city-owned parking ramps or lots, or public transportation, like the Metro bus or rail. Those using the Metro Rail can park for free at the Park & Ride locations at the University Station on the UB South Campus and the LaSalle Station on Main Street.
City-owned (BCAR) ramps near City Hall
- Turner Ramp — 1 Perkins Dr (closest to City Hall/Niagara Sq).
- Adam Ramp — 343 Washington St.
- Augspurger Ramp — 362 Pearl St.
- Fernbach Ramp — 220 Pearl St.
Additional public ramps/garages
- Main Place Ramp — entrances on Pearl St & Church St under Main Place Tower.
- Mohawk Ramp — 477 Washington St.
- Court–Franklin (Court Street Garage) — 120 Franklin St.
- “Augspurger” surface lots near Pearl & W. Mohawk — multiple public lots adjacent to the ramp.
- 50 Exchange Ramp — 50 Exchange St.
- Seneca One Garage — 50 Exchange St (bridge access to Seneca One).
Don’t forget to give yourself extra time to navigate traffic.
