UPDATE: Residents of Elmwood Village, Buffalo, are raising urgent concerns over the installation of new LED streetlights that many describe as too harsh and disruptive to the neighborhood’s charm. This change comes as National Grid replaces older, yellow-toned lights with brighter white LED options, which are intended to be more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Longtime resident Bill Altreuter expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the new lighting disrupts the aesthetic beauty that Elmwood Village is known for. “It has almost a clinical appearance and it’s unpleasant,” Altreuter said. “It doesn’t match the overall aesthetics of the neighborhood.”
The transition to these LED lights has sparked a wave of complaints within the community. Many residents took to a local Facebook group to voice their discomfort, describing the new lights as “jarring” and detrimental to the neighborhood’s walkable ambiance.
Local officials, including Councilmember David Rivera, have acknowledged the complaints. Rivera emphasized the importance of community feedback in any future changes. “Certainly, I’d be amenable to working with the neighbors if they like the more quaint, warmer lights,” he stated. Rivera also proposed potential solutions, such as lowering the wattage or shielding the lights to reduce glare.
Residents are encouraged to share their concerns by calling the city’s 311 hotline. Altreuter believes that more community input should have been sought before these changes were implemented. “There should be a compromise,” he asserted. “Don’t do things in a way that doesn’t include the people who live in this neighborhood.”
As the debate continues, Rivera has committed to collaborating with both Public Works and National Grid to address the community’s worries and work towards a solution. “We’ll find a common ground,” he assured residents.
This ongoing situation highlights the crucial balance between modernization and preserving community character, making it a topic of significant local interest. Residents are urged to stay engaged as discussions unfold, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of Elmwood Village’s lighting.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as officials work to address the concerns of the residents.
