ive been a supporter of ripping down the skyway since i was old enough to understand what waterfront property is worth
@ some point in buffalos history: hey … heres a great idea, lets put a highway along the shore line and ruin any chance at having a beautiful later front
later in buffalos history: saaaaaaaaave the grain towers … save the graintowers … beautiful blah blah blah, history blah blah blah …
The waterfront region is set up for things that don’t exist anymore.
The problem is that Buffalo’s economy has completely changed. The grain elevators and a highway that a big ship can fit under is not necessary. Nobody ships anything by water anymore. Well not across the great lakes anyways.
Buffalo’s waterfront is set up for specific industries, like shipping and big manufacturing. Well that’s gone yet Buffalo has done an A+ job of completely ignoring the changes, refusing to adapt, and hence the city’s economy is dying and the waterfront is totally wasted.
Eventually someone that has vision will take political office and Buffalo will recognize the changes that need to take place and we’ll be fine again. I just wonder how long it’ll be before that person comes along.
Buffalo should model the waterfront similar to what we have here in Baltimore (Inner Harbor) ESPN Zone, Barnes n Nobles, Power Plant Live (bars, clubs, restaraunts, music), Aquarium, Hotels, etc. No need for a casino
How many of you who are so sure Bass Pro wouldn’t have helped downtown have actually been to one of their stores? I’ve been to the one in Ft. Lauderdale and trust me, they really do draw people. It would have been a good thing for the Buffalo waterfront.
At the same time, I’m glad to see the deal is dead because there was far too much public money being given to a profitable private company.
I still have many doubts that this money will be put to any type of a good use.
I’ve been to a few. One near Toronto, Syracuse, Detroit and Chicago. Only the one in Auburn was somewhat busy, but it had just opened. And there’s nothing else to do in Auburn…
There is one at Arundel Mills about 10 minutes from my house… and it sucks! but im not into hunting, fishing, camping, and stuff. I do like to go there and look at the boats they have for sale.
Ok, so even though you are completely not in their demographic you still admit you go there. I think that proves my point about their ability to draw people in.
The large medical campus of Buffalo General and RPCI is not centrally located in the downtown area. Its a far walk from the food and restaurants of the chippewa/theatre district. Not to mention it is in a rougher neighborhood.
UB should have been built downtown with 1 large waterfront campus. It would have attracted students statewide and beyond and would have been a mini city in itself. If UB was built downtown there would be a large shopping mall downtown, many stores, restaurants and activities. The only possible downfall would have been a mass commercializing of the downtown area with WalMart, Target, and chain style restaurants.
The Buffalo Bills Stadium should have been built downtown. This requires no explanation but for the people who lack brain cells, 80,000 people hanging out before and after the game with things to do would be wayyyyyyyyy better then sitting in a parking lot by a barrel fire drinking red dog.
Every single flat parking lot should be removed and turned into green space or new construction. All parking downtown should be diverted into ramps.
All buildings that do not pass occupancy codes should be demolished in order to improve the overall look of the city. Provide more green space, more room for renewal.