The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) has unveiled a preliminary report on its Cultural Master Plan for the Canal Side project. The report is the culmination of the first step of what will ultimately be a three stage process in determining the cultural mix on the Inner Harbor. Lord Cultural Resources and Ralph Applebaum Associates prepared the report after an intensive period of consultation with ECHDC board members and staff, representatives from Western New York's leading cultural organizations, and almost 150 community members. The report details the research that they have engaged in, provides an analysis of the museum and performing arts marketplace, sets forth planning principles and advances some initial ideas or "experiential building blocks" for events and activities at Canal Side.
"This report provides an excellent base on which to build," said Maureen Hurley, chair of the ECHDC Cultural sub-committee. "From the beginning, the board of ECHDC envisioned a strong cultural component at Canal Side, in particular, one that celebrates Buffalo's rich history."
The preliminary report stresses the need to avoid duplication of existing cultural resources and competing with performing arts venues in Downtown Buffalo. Development of cultural programming will be implemented in phases, with Phase 1 beginning this summer. This first phase will expand existing programming opportunities with relatively low-cost public programs, events, festivals and other site features at Canal Side. During Phase 1, Canal Side itself would become the stage on which to tell the "Story of Buffalo" through a series of activities, performances, tours, festivals and markets, rather than a traditional "bricks and mortar" collections based museum.
Suggestions for the first phase of development, to begin this summer, include the following possibilities:
• Buffalo Story Trails could provide an entertaining, educational journey on the grand stage of Canal Side. Performers tell the Buffalo Story through a cast of fictional and historic characters from different periods in Buffalo's history.
• A Canal Side Public Market could be an ethnic and local farmer's market that begins in a large tent, celebrating Buffalo's pivotal history as once the world's largest grain port and our region's tradition of diverse ethnic foods.
• Cell-Phone Tours could offer self-guided personal tours throughout Canal Side.
• Festivals on the Canal Side Green could build upon the demonstrated success of the many festivals (over 150 annually) for which Buffalo is already known - some could even make their home at this new central location.
• During the winter season, the Canal Side Green becomes a Winter White Park -- a wonderland of colorfully lit ice sculptures and whimsical snowmen. Action Zones give visitors access to ice hockey and figure skating clinics and competitions, sledding slopes, snow surfing, and ice skating.
The next steps of the planning process will involve reaching out to cultural organizations that have expressed interest in being part of the Canal Side project in any of the three phases of its development. Analysis of and recommendations for the most appropriate cultural partners, and their role in telling the Buffalo Story and attracting audiences to Canal Side will be included in the Stage 2 report.
Next: Big Ideas for Canal Side
It could be a win-win to have many of our current cultural attractions have a presence/piece-of-the pie on the waterfront; it would remain to this council to manage the coordination/programming (which would not be a small feat).
It is not lost on me that many arts groups are about to have their funding cut by the ever-limited Collins, and that the Canal Side build-out could be the olive branch to provide funding for many of these effected groups.