By Charles Gordon:
Much has been argued about the importance of stabilizing and resurrecting the Statler Building. I agree. This effort will be more successful by extending improvements beyond the building to include the public realm surrounding Niagara Square. Any future development plan should place special emphasis upon energizing Niagara Square as a pedestrian friendly urban civic space that is complemented - not dominated - by vehicular traffic. Ultimately, the municipal cost to complete this initiative will be recouped through fairly taxing higher property values on the buildings surrounding Niagara Square.
As envisioned in the 2001 Genesee Street Plan completed for the City during the Masiello Administration, of which I helped author, Niagara Square would have been rejuvenated by removing at least one if not 2 traffic lanes and replacing with more people friendly-and traffic calming--sidewalks, trees, and landscaping. The point should be, after all, to enjoy and even linger in this public space not to get in get out as fast as possible.
Few would argue that the rebirth of Lafayette Square in the mid-1980's was precipitated by the same thinking and mechanics. The addition of more sidewalks, trees, landscaping, and narrowed streets induced significant traffic calming. These elements made pedestrians feel safer and made the atmosphere more inviting. Less successful, but still a great improvement, was the Gates Circle landscaping and traffic calming initiative. These are just few of ideas for Niagara Square contained in the 2001 Vision plan.
In New York City, the recently completed High Line Park in West Chelsea, Bryant Park's setting for the 42nd Street Library, Grand Army Plaza opposite the seminal Apple computer store and historic Plaza Hotel, and finally the just completed re-programming of 7th Avenue into a pedestrian dominated corridor, each demonstrate that civic space enhancements can tremendously increase surrounding property values.
The Statler's original design did not fully engage the public square. In the 1920's, the intention of the original building design was likely to assist privileged folk to escape the everyday dirt, smells, hustle and bustle of urban life. Compare this intent to similar civic buildings surrounding public squares in Europe that might include wonderful front porches, patios, and cafes surrounding the square. Settings in Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, Paris all conjure up images where everyday street life is extended into and through the street level portions of civic buildings-thereby increasing use and value for each.
So as this initiative moves forward, consider the health and vitality of Niagara Square's public realm to be interwoven with the vitality and re-birth of the Statler Building The approach would be to examine and map all the entry points, for people and for vehicles, for all the surrounding buildings. These should include City Hall, Federal and City courts, the Buffalo Athletic Club, et al. Include the strengthening of existing pathways or even creating new ones as part of the surrounding streetscape improvements.
As the program for this ambitious re-development evolves, the re-programming of the Building to engage and contribute to the Public Realm will be key to its success.
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Much has been argued about the importance of stabilizing and resurrecting the Statler Building. I agree. This effort will be more successful by extending improvements beyond the building to include the public realm surrounding Niagara Square. Any future development plan should place special emphasis upon energizing Niagara Square as a pedestrian friendly urban civic space that is complemented - not dominated - by vehicular traffic. Ultimately, the municipal cost to complete this initiative will be recouped through fairly taxing higher property values on the buildings surrounding Niagara Square.
As envisioned in the 2001 Genesee Street Plan completed for the City during the Masiello Administration, of which I helped author, Niagara Square would have been rejuvenated by removing at least one if not 2 traffic lanes and replacing with more people friendly-and traffic calming--sidewalks, trees, and landscaping. The point should be, after all, to enjoy and even linger in this public space not to get in get out as fast as possible.
Few would argue that the rebirth of Lafayette Square in the mid-1980's was precipitated by the same thinking and mechanics. The addition of more sidewalks, trees, landscaping, and narrowed streets induced significant traffic calming. These elements made pedestrians feel safer and made the atmosphere more inviting. Less successful, but still a great improvement, was the Gates Circle landscaping and traffic calming initiative. These are just few of ideas for Niagara Square contained in the 2001 Vision plan.
In New York City, the recently completed High Line Park in West Chelsea, Bryant Park's setting for the 42nd Street Library, Grand Army Plaza opposite the seminal Apple computer store and historic Plaza Hotel, and finally the just completed re-programming of 7th Avenue into a pedestrian dominated corridor, each demonstrate that civic space enhancements can tremendously increase surrounding property values.
The Statler's original design did not fully engage the public square. In the 1920's, the intention of the original building design was likely to assist privileged folk to escape the everyday dirt, smells, hustle and bustle of urban life. Compare this intent to similar civic buildings surrounding public squares in Europe that might include wonderful front porches, patios, and cafes surrounding the square. Settings in Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, Paris all conjure up images where everyday street life is extended into and through the street level portions of civic buildings-thereby increasing use and value for each.
So as this initiative moves forward, consider the health and vitality of Niagara Square's public realm to be interwoven with the vitality and re-birth of the Statler Building The approach would be to examine and map all the entry points, for people and for vehicles, for all the surrounding buildings. These should include City Hall, Federal and City courts, the Buffalo Athletic Club, et al. Include the strengthening of existing pathways or even creating new ones as part of the surrounding streetscape improvements.
As the program for this ambitious re-development evolves, the re-programming of the Building to engage and contribute to the Public Realm will be key to its success.
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Thank you for a very nice article, good to see some hard work being presented, in favor of people oriented spaces!
The Statler needs to come back alive again ASAP, and the public support for stabilizing the building as discussed recently is well invested. In my view, once the building is secured, the banquet is up and running, I think a large section of student housing should be the next step.
Buffalo Downtown needs people
Pierre Wallinder