Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the completed restoration of the Buffalo Museum of Science(BMS) historic north facade. The project includes the restoration of the original formal staircase, plazas, sidewalks and curbing of the 100,000-square-foot Esenwein and Johnson-designed building, which opened in 1929. Similar to museums with impressive facades in other cities, restoring the inviting north entrance with a refurbished front staircase is a source of community pride, serving as space for outdoor community programming and direct connection with the historic Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The museum, which welcomes 200,000 visitors and students annually, was awarded a $2.6 million grant from ESD’s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund for these crucial building improvements.
“The Museum of Science is one of many important neighborhood assets of Buffalo’s East Side,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “The East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund’s support of improvements at the museum have a direct impact on the overall character of the neighborhood. Not only are we helping to restore an important historic building, but we are also creating future opportunities for both formal and informal outdoor programming by the museum to add to the MLK Park experience.”
Located within MLK Park, the Buffalo Museum of Science’s historic entrance with its grand staircase and classical columns, was in a state of deterioration and was barred from public use since 1977. Fronted by concrete blockades and orange construction barriers, the once majestic entryway was unsafe and unsightly, adding to a negative perception of the economic health of its East Side neighborhood. Funding was also used for improvements to the limestone cladding the building, security upgrades, repairs to the original storm-windows, and adaptations to allow for ADA-accessibility.
The proect was identified as a key placemaking component of the plan for the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, a $65 million initiative that began in 2019 to invest in stabilizing the East Side’s historic buildings/assets; strengthening walkable, mixed-use business districts; and providing opportunities for small business growth. The BMS restoration is part of a broader effort to restore and improve all the assets within MLK Park, the East Side’s largest park and an important place along the Fillmore Avenue Corridor. Other nearby efforts under the Fund include grants to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy to improve the park’s landscape and facilities and for restoration of the park’s greenhouse complex. More information on East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund awardees is available here.
“We are excited to complete the restoration of the Museum’s original north facade and staircase, a project that includes ADA accessibility and reflects our deep commitment to being good neighbors within the community. This milestone sets the stage for a transformative future as we reimagine how visitors enter and engage with the museum, inspiring new possibilities throughout our exhibits and galleries” said Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences President and CEO Gary Siddall. “The generous funding from the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, and the City of Buffalo allowed us to renovate the exterior of our building to better reflect the vibrancy of our neighborhood and the quality STEM experiences and treasured collections found beyond these doors.”
Between 2010 and 2018, the BMS took an aggressive path to renovate all the Museum’s permanent exhibit experiences, with the completion of the projects marked by the restoration and reopening of its rooftop Kellogg observatory in July 2018. In 2026, the BMS will unveil Science Stadium, a new permanent exhibit enhanced by apartnership with the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits, celebrating the powerful intersection of science and sport while inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation for the physical and mental benefits of active living.
Siddall said the restoration of its historic front steps and the upcoming debut of Science Stadium are powerful symbols of the momentum building toward a vibrant and imaginative future, as new exhibits and experiences are envisioned to culminate in a transformative celebration of the Museum’s 100th anniversary in 2029.
City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “The Buffalo Museum of Science is not only a cultural treasure, but a cornerstone of our East Side community. The restoration of its historic north facade and grand staircase is about restoring pride, accessibility, and opportunity to one of Buffalo’s most storied neighborhoods. I’m proud that the City of Buffalo partnered with Empire State Development and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to help fund this project, which reconnects the Museum with Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and ensures that generations of families, students, and visitors can continue to learn, explore, and be inspired here. I want to thank Empire State Development, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, and Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences President & CEO Gary Siddall and his team at the Buffalo Museum of Science for their dedication to seeing this project through and for their continued commitment to strengthening the East Side.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “I am happy to see the completion of the renovation of the front steps and façade of the Buffalo Museum of Science. Not only does the museum reside in the district I serve but also the neighborhood I live in, so I know how much this renovation means to the community surrounding the museum and Martin Luther King, Jr Park. This is a historic building within a historic park and the renovations reflect that sense of history. More programming opportunities are now available because of this renovation. The renovation also serves as an example of the work being done on our east side through Empire State Development’s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund. Congratulations to the Buffalo Museum of Science and Empire State Development for getting this project finished.”
Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “Nearly 100 years old, the iconic East Side building stands as a beacon of information and hope, not only for the East Side but for the entire region. With the completion of the north facade and staircase, access to the galleries and exhibits at the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences will continue to educate and inspire the thousands of visitors who pass through its doors. I applaud the vision demonstrated by the leaders at the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, the Dormitory Authority, and the City of Buffalo, and I am proud to join in the efforts to provide cultural and community assets in this historic part of our city.”
Senator Sean Ryan said, “Projects like this reaffirm that our community’s history matters and that Buffalo’s cultural institutions and historic architecture belong to everyone. The Buffalo Museum of Science has stood as an iconic landmark of the East Side for decades, and restoring its stately facade and grand staircase strengthens its bond with the neighbors who have treasured it all these years.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “The restoration of the historic front façade and steps at the Buffalo Museum of Science, which have been closed to the public for nearly fifty years, returns that welcoming space to its former grandeur and rightful place as the Museum’s grand entrance. The Museum’s centennial celebration is on the horizon and the facility looks even better than it did when it opened a century ago.”
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