Buffalo, NY - Mayor Byron W. Brown today officially launched Buffalo LIT. Buffalo LIT (Landmark Illumination Team) is a voluntary illumination initiative between the buildings and structures that comprise Buffalo’s downtown skyline and make a statement at night through various illumination effects. A number of Buffalo LIT participants, including representatives from the Peace Bridge, Iskalo Development’s Electric Tower and Buffalo Place, joined Mayor Brown at the launch event and agreed to light their buildings, on special occasions, in a uniform color or color scheme in order to commemorate a special event which impacts the City’s residents in a significant way.
“As we continue to transform Buffalo into a vibrant City of opportunity and growth, our nightscape is becoming more and more significant,” said Mayor Brown. “When you look back at Buffalo’s history, illumination has always been important. We earned our nickname as the City of Light when Buffalo became the first city to have widespread streetlights in in the late 19th century. Today, in both the public and private sector, we’re seeing more and more innovative lighting projects, that highlight the City’s iconic architecture, streetscapes and make Buffalo a more vibrant place to live, work and visit. Tonight, our City will shine a little brighter as we launch Buffalo LIT, a voluntary and coordinated endeavor to light Buffalo in the same lighting scheme on special occasions to signify our City’s solidarity and sense of community.”
Participation in Buffalo LIT is a voluntary effort. Buffalo LIT partners agree to the following criteria:
• Be illuminated at night
• Be considered a part of the City’s skyline
• Agree to internally review Buffalo LIT recommendations
• If the Buffalo LIT request is approved, each lighting entity will coordinate its lighting scheme with the other
Buffalo LIT partners for the duration, all parties agree to Buffalo LIT is responsible for referring requests to and coordinating activities among the participating organizations each month, based – in part - on HOME OF THE DOME (HOD) applications that are reviewed by the City of Buffalo.
HOD is a voluntary program, launched in 2016 by Mayor Brown, after the City added new, energy-efficient LED lighting technology to the top of historic Buffalo City Hall. For more information about Home of the Dome guidelines, go to www.buffalony.gov. Buffalo LIT partners can also submit their own recommendations for a potential Buffalo LIT illumination.
At the Buffalo LIT Launch, Mayor Brown announced that the top of Buffalo City Hall will be lit in patriotic colors tonight, in advance of Memorial Day Weekend, when Buffalo LIT partners agreed to light their buildings and structures in red, white and blue. To become a Buffalo LIT partner, email, buffalolit@city-buffalo.com.