Michigan Street 12 Lot Park Master Plan
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission
Azar Design Co is working with the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC) to develop a comprehensive master plan, tying the community’s four cultural anchors together including the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Historic Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum, the Nash House, and WUFO Radio Station & Black History Collective.
Through a series of community and stakeholder engagement sessions, concepts are developed to establish a shared understanding of the site’s historical, cultural, and social significance within Buffalo’s African American Heritage Corridor, ensuring the park is grounded in community values and needs.
Dynamic programming includes a concert lawn, market space, and memorial gardens to support everyday use as well as special occasions. Design intent seeks to understand how the park can contribute to local economic vitality by generating revenue, supporting small scale vendors and events, and encouraging residents and visitors to spend their time and money within the community. The result will reflect a new chapter in the community’s identity, honoring heritage, fostering connection, and supporting long term cultural, educational and economic sustainability.