Niagara Riverside Market?

If done correctly this would be great.

Not that I would mind somthing like this but we already have the Broadway Market as a year round market. Id rather see other vendors and farmers go to our existing facility rather than start a new one.

This is in a much better location than the Broadway Market, will not require government subsidies and has a much greater chance of success. I think it would be a great idea. Any chance for some outdoor space here? Any thoughts to expanding it to include non-food vendors, such as some local artisans?

This is a fanatastic idea but why limit it to food? Why not make it just a market in general? In response to the comparison to the Broadway Market this is more appealing because of its location. It's not surrounded by slums, the area feels safer and is more accesible and visible to the passer by which could potentially make it more successful.

I think this would be a great addition to the city. Being vegetarian I welcome all places like this since its tough to find a lot of places for fresh produce besides the Clinton-Baily Market.

I love this idea, esp. b/c it's on the other side of town from the Broadway Market. Why can't the two coexist? If the Broadway Market continues to make improvements as we've seen over the past two years, it will become more financially stable and able to stand on it's own two feet.

This new market will serve a different area of consumers with different ethnic demands, etc. It could provide services that are lacking in this neighborhood such as maybe a dry cleaners, butcher shop, cheese shop, etc. Done creatively, it could be a draw for Canadians on their way home before crossing the Peace Bridge and also be an asset to Rock Harbor Commons if it actually gets off the ground.

Let's hope this become reality.

@iluvpitbulls

Saying this project should not be done because of the Broadway Market is EXACTLY the mindset that has held back Buffalo and the region for 50 years.

This is similar to saying...we should not look for high tech or modern era jobs because we have so many factory workers looking for work.

A couple of points:

1- "Market Shopping" is different than grocery shopping. Currently in WNY, people do not grasp the concept of market shopping. Market shopping is almost an event if done right. It allows people to see and try new things. You purchase off sights and smells not a list kept on the fridge. Having a functional market not in a location where people are scared to travel 50 weekends out of the year could only help this effort grow.

2- Location. Location. Location. While it may be said, the truth is this location is closer to the most dense and affluent population in the city. Unless you want to pack up and pick up the Broadway Market, the location is still going to stink.

3- This market would be a private venture. Which means it is not full of politics. Something the Broadway Market is. Sadly, when politics enter anything in Buffalo...it kills it.

Umm...WOW! This is exactly the kind of project that could spark revitalization of that strip of Niagara Street. I go running there a lot, and have seen this block from Niagara, from the Mason St. alley, and the Broderick Park side. It always struck me that this block between Breckenridge and Auburn had incredible potential to be redeveloped into a way-cool, mixed-use district.

Much of Niagara St. has been down on its luck since the thruway provided the double-punch of cutting off the waterfront AND letting the former customers whiz past the storefront businesses they formerly stopped at. And I've always wondered whether the street could come back without some kind of reconfiguration of the thruway. But this block, I believe, has the right ingredients (so to speak) to spark a revival with the right catalyst -- and this project sounds like it.

One recommendation would be to bring the arts community into the project -- perhaps an organization like the Indie market.

Very best wishes to Bill and Martin on this great project. Let us folks in the west side neighborhoods know how we can help plan, promote, and make this happen!

brilliant idea. they should check out some of the other markets around the country for idea's. this could be a win win for Buffalo and the city could stop shoveling wasted cash into the broadway market.

Seriously, although the market would be the anchor here, it strikes me that a lot of things could be included in the mix to help make it all viable and vibrant.

My old neighborhood in Rochester was near a lot of old warehouse and industrial buildings, and also close to the public market (which always gets good press in comparison to Buffalo's Broadway Market). Those old buildings were largely derelict -- and the public market not the attraction it is today -- until we mixed the arts and other creative ingredients into the mix. Now it's one of the most vibrant and cool areas of the city.

I could see that kind of thing taking hold with this project, as well.

This space is what entrepreneurship is all about in its purest form. It provides low cost space to a broad array of entrepeneurs with limited means. YEA!!! This venue is really the basis for growing our economy from the ground up. This venue is a natural for ethnic and immigrant groups! We need to spread the word to not only them, but the recent grads who are hot to rebuild this city while making and legally growing an income for themselves.

PERFECT! Have at it! There are tons of believers out there.

Regarding the Broadway Market - they lost their sense of identity a long time ago. Not sure what they are anymore. Not much hope on that count.

anything that connects people, food, farms, production together to try and spur relationships is a good thing.

About the Broadway market... I agree on both sides. That the market needs to find itself.. it needs to completely change its approach. It is no longer a Polish only market.. get over it and move on. The city will benefit from that. Part of their problem is their building. It is ugly, boring and down right blah to go to. If they had a building that looks like a market it would be a nicer draw. It looks like what it is... a market crammed into a parking garage.

But then again it already has the bones to do this type of stuff properly and this certainly could hurt the market. At least for now and in the immediate future until more people think twice about where their food comes from.

I love the idea and Niagara street... we will see where it goes.

Only downside is that it is not walking distance from very many neighborhoods. Something like this downtown could generate alot of foot traffic and spin off, like so many of Buffalo's attractions that are scattered around the region.

Does this idea remind anybody else of what they have in Rochester:
http://www.villagegatesquare.com/VillageGateABOUT.htm

I haven't been there in 15 years, but back in the day, it seemed like a great use of an unused industrial space. It wasn't even located directly in one of the "artsy" neighborhoods like Monroe Ave, Park Ave, or the South Wedge.

jes sayin

As a person who works with this issue, I have to say that I think this is fantastic and am looking forward to meeting with Bill (we seem to have repeatedly crossed one another's paths for the last month or more).
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I have many thoughts on this subject, but for this conversation, I'd like to add that I have visited over half a dozen public markets in major cities around the country, and I can tell you that this is more in-line with the sort of market experience eluded to in a comment above.
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Perhaps I am too close to this subject, but I also feel compelled to say that I believe expanding the vision of this market to include non-food related items would be a miscalculation. No business can be successful trying to be all things to all people. You loose your voice, your message and, ultimately, your audience/customers. There are plenty of food-related components seriously missing in our region to easily occupy this entire space; and although there may be room for a few exceptions, I think that allowing this to become a flea market/live music space/sculpture park is probably not the way to go if we're hoping for a market that serves our city and benefits our farmers in a way that has integrity and is sustainable economically.
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Just my two cents. I may change my mind, that's just my initial reaction based on what I know and have seen.

www.fieldandforknetwork.com

@iluvpitbulls

I do not think it is a strange comparison at all. Once again you made my point.

How does wanting a concentration, that happens unnaturally, figure to benefit anything?

If most people would rather see a concentration at the Broadway Market, this private venture will fail. Simple as that.

However, if done and done right, I do not think this venture will fail. I think the Broadway Market simply has too much negative surrounding the positives for it to work. Could this be fixed? Yes. But what needs fixing mostly has nothing to do with the market itself.

Competition is good. In this situation, a rival market could in fact help the Broadway Market.

It could force the BM to make changes to compete. It could make the concept of market shopping more ingrained in area residents. It could make living on the West Side only more appealing, which helps property values, which in turn helps the overall city.

This is just what that area needs with one of the biggest slumlords {Rich Products} just down the street an addition such as this with local merchants that are community oriented could really drive this area into the right direction .

Buffalo needs a great public market and if this vision reaches fruition then the more power to them.

I won't go as far as Black-Rock-Advocate regarding Rich Products, but they have owned much of the property in this vicinity (including parcels that don't have their name on it). Trying to turn one public market into an entire district may be challenging with such a large landowner nearby.

This sounds like a great idea. One thing I would suggest is definitely include non food vendors, just don't allow "crap" to be sold. Such as cheap toys you can find at the dollar store, rolls of tube socks, spray paint shirts with your lovers name on it, etc etc. This is the type of thing that cheapens markets, just like the Broadway Market. It takes away the uniqueness and richness. Let local artists come in and sell their goods instead. It is true that these places become an experience and a destination if done right.

replied to: RaChaCha and ChristaSeychew

I keep hoping that somewhere in the city - someone will start a fine Arts and Antiques market that would include a farmers market and bakeries etc. I think the blend would be fantastic.
Perhaps this building would be a suitable location?

To RaChaCha - regarding the Niagara/Grant street area - is it too soon for me to say "I told you so"?

This could work and is another sign that Niagara, Grant, Amherst and some of our other old neglected commercial areas are starting to generate a lot of interest and investment. 20 years ago there was less appreciation for the value and potential of these great old buildings.

Rich Products is certainly as asset to this neighborhood but they do have a mixed record as a property owner. They have ignored multiple complaints about the large holes on both sides of the 1827 Union Meeting House at the foot of Breckenridge Street. Water continues to pour into the oldest church building in Buffalo doing untold damage. The Federal style brick structure is remarkably intact considering its age and long history of multiple uses. Rich has owned and neglected this building for many years and should recognize their responsibility to maintain and protect such a historic structure.
Worse yet is the lack of enforcement by the City of Buffalo Department of Inspections. Maybe BRO can bring some much needed attention to this issue before we lose another piece of our city's historic fabric due to neglect and indifference.

I think Rich's could be a real assett. Let them sponsor and name it... Who cares! Buffalo Rich's market.

Also about Breckenridge and inspectors... it is most often NOT the inspectors problems but politically appointed BOSSES that rubber stand extensions and variances without concern of what the actual inspector does. OR it is a housing court system too clogged down to actually do anything. Or a Mayor that puts pressure on both to do nothing. Most inspectors hate to see this happen but their hands are tied because their BOSSES don't care about anything but tax roles and big business interests.

I'm not inferring anything or making a comment with this link, just thought it should be noted:

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/689889.html

Patrick Lango had asked me to do a little hunting around on the building at 44 Breckenridge, which was around the time he presumably met Mr. Breeser and looked at the space this story is about. That's the only reason why the address stood out to me when I saw this piece in the paper a week or so ago.

The more of these markets the better. And there should be one in South Buffalo as well. The Broadway Market could take a hit but we all know that many if not most of their customers don't live in that neighborhood.

Chelsea Market in NYC is the model for this project. Buffalo is so ready to embrace an eclectic market place. The Food Network broadcasts from Chelsea Market. Oh the possibilities people!