African American Veterans Monument

Located adjacent to Canalside on Buffalo’s waterfront, the African American Veterans Monument is the newest addition to the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park. The African American Veterans Monument recognizes contributions of African Americans who served and currently serving in all five branches of the military during war and in peace times. City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, Parks, and Streets assisted the African American War Veterans Committee with administration of the construction of the new monument and funding. The monument was coordinated through Crystal Peoples-Stokes office to both the City of Buffalo and the Arts Council. 

The monument was installed on a 5,700 SF site near the existing Vietnam Monument within the Naval Park. The installation included twelve, ten-foot high, fiber glass reinforced concrete column-style monuments. These symbolize candles, one to represent each military conflict fought by African-Americans and emits the eternal glow of the fallen veterans. Other installations included a custom brick paver plaza, lighted information, interpretive signs and plaques, monument and ground lighting, bench seating, informational signage, and landscaping.

Watts worked with the designer and artist providing structural engineering services to ensure the integrity of the elements. We were also responsible for the site layout, grading, and SEQR permitting for the project. Watts assisted the project artist with various elements of the planning. We were also responsible for construction cost estimating, pre-bid administration, bidding, answering RFI’s, Construction administration and Construction Inspection services. Our team was honored to be part of the professional design services team for this first-of-its-kind monument, paying tribute to every African American soldier to ever serve in our nation’s military branches. 

Be sure to visit this elegant monument at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park.