City February 8, 2012 9:23 AM

Imagining Canalside: Ice Cafe

queenseyes 44

A friend of mine posted this inspiring photo on Facebook (thanks KJ). It's a photo of people sitting out in a cafe-style setting on a canal in Leiden, a Dutch province of South Holland. When I was young I spent a lot of winters skating on Lake George in the Adirondacks. Since the lake was smaller and shallower than Lake Erie, the ice would always freeze in a similar way... smooth as glass.

When the ECHDC builds the extended faux canal in time for ice skating next winter, I would imagine that the ice conditions would be very similar to the conditions seen in this photo. Now take a look at the simplicity of this ice cafe concept. This is a zero cost feature that consists of a couple of tables and a few chairs. Brilliant!

You want to get people down to the waterfront in the wintertime? The skating offers people something to do and watch. The canal walls offer protection from the wind. The last piece of the puzzle is to give visitors an outdoors experience that they will never forget. And if, for some reason, it doesn't work... then no big deal because it didn't cost anything to begin with.

We need to remember that "The simple things in life are free."

View image

Comments

44 Comments Leave a comment

Chris

February 8, 2012 9:29 AM

cellino and barnes will be licking their chops (or something worse) at this...

[ Reply ]

Score: 8 ( 18 votes )

elmdog

February 8, 2012 9:47 AM

funny, sad but true.....make people sign a waiver if it happens...Wouldnt happen in Holland

[ Reply ]

replied to Chris

Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

Jesse

February 8, 2012 9:49 AM

What, that someone might break thru some ice and land in less than a foot of water? Oooooooo.....

[ Reply ]

replied to Chris

Score: 3 ( 5 votes )

pampiniform

February 8, 2012 10:02 AM

I'm sure you've noticed ice is slippery? There are lawyers who have put their kids through college and bought nice houses suing people because other people have slipped on ice on their property.

[ Reply ]

replied to Jesse

Score: 3 ( 9 votes )

Allentwnguy

February 8, 2012 10:49 AM

When I was in NH we had Ice Trekkers and YakTrax, accessories that would easily slip over the sole of a shoe/boot and give you excellent bite into ice so you could walk easily up an ice hill. On the level there should be no problem. Retail they were under 20 bucks. People cold be required to wear them on the ice.

[ Reply ]

replied to pampiniform

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

MikeO

February 8, 2012 12:41 PM

It would probably freeze solid so if they broke through the ice they would hit concrete.. the horror.

[ Reply ]

replied to Jesse

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

crescent1251

February 8, 2012 9:35 AM

Very nice picture, it would be great if we could get some of those architecturally interesting buildings built at Canal Side. Hopefully our canals will be wide enough for the ice hockey tournaments as well ice cafes.

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

tormaplf

February 8, 2012 9:46 AM

There are other similar pictures on the flickr group The Amsterdam (Mokum) Pool. http://www.flickr.com/groups/mokum/pool/with/6837510689/

In particular check out the shot of the frozen canal at dusk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alamsterdam/6837510689/in/pool-35034363766@N01/

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

elmdog

February 8, 2012 9:48 AM

That picture looks exactly what our inner canals should look like...

[ Reply ]

Score: 7 ( 7 votes )

Travelrrr

February 8, 2012 9:57 AM

Well, given that Benderson plans to kick off the district with a suburban design, I would not hold your breath....

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 2 ( 18 votes )

Freddy Olms

February 8, 2012 2:20 PM

I don't understand everyone crying about Benderson's design for the Donovan building being too "suburban". The building is inherently suburban and was built that way originally. It was built in 1962, in the middle of the "urban renewal" craze in Rust Belt cities. It was built by the government, hoping that a new building would inspire growth. And like many buildings of that time period it is ugly and (wait for it...) SUBURBAN! It was built during the golden age of sprawl as an attempt to bring the prosperity of the suburbs back to the city. It didn't work because the hypothesis is fundamentally wrong, but that's another story. The point is, it was built suburban, and no design is going to change that. Instead of complaining about things we can't change, let's be glad that Benderson is making an investment in a critically located downtown building and removing a major source of blight in the canal district.

[ Reply ]

replied to Travelrrr

Score: 0 ( 10 votes )

nyc

February 8, 2012 2:41 PM

The "surbaban" aspect relates to the programming and emphasis of the redesign. It doesn't have much to do with the 1962 design.

Instead of thinking of this building as a part of the future canalside development, the Benderson redesign places all the emphasis at the ground floor on the entrance to the office lobby and then the places the remainder of the design energy on the articulation of office suites at the top of the building. Absolutely no thought or attempt is made to put this building back into the context of the city by opening up the lower floor levels and making modifications to the building and plaza that would welcome and engage the public and give any hope that there could be successful retail/ restauant space. Benderson cares only for the office/ hotel lease and does not put thought or energy into the ground floor retail potential. Hence this a building detached from its context (suburban?) and will offer little to the future of Canalside (despite the design guidlines that requires the building to do otherwise).

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 2 ( 6 votes )

Freddy Olms

February 8, 2012 5:35 PM

So the building isn't inherently suburban, but would need a huge structural overhaul and additions to no longer be suburban? This project needs to be completed so everyone can realize it's not that bad.

[ Reply ]

replied to nyc

Score: -2 ( 4 votes )

Travelrrr

February 8, 2012 5:40 PM

Agreed with NYC-totally.

The building is not "suburban" the re-design concept is, however. It could be a cool mid-century re-design or, even better, skinned to be more in sync with what the ECHDC determines will be the design motif.

It does neither of those, unfortunately. I would be pleasantly surprised to be surprised, but I have yet to see anything from Benderson ANYWHERE that leads me to believe I will be surprised.

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 2 ( 6 votes )

The Boss

February 9, 2012 10:40 AM

Well considering Benderson as far as I know has no urban projects in this market(except Hampton on Delaware, built to curb with ground floor retail) that might explain why you have seen only suburban design. And Benderson does not dictate design standards, that is up to the Board and public input.

[ Reply ]

replied to Travelrrr

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

nyc

February 8, 2012 7:29 PM

It's not about spending more money on the building but rather it's about where you spend the money.

They could spend money for a design emphasis that addresses the experience of walking on Main Street. Instead they'll spend money for an emphasis of driving on the 190.

For all ECHUD talks about what Canalside should be, the emphasis of the Donovan redesign completely contradicts that. This project is integral to a publically funded initiative and its frustrating to see ECHUD, in the wake of the bass pro fiasco, drop the ball on the first major investment in the project area.

However, Jordon Levy said we should see a redesign that addresses the "suburban-ness" of the current design. So hoping for that...

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

Freddy Olms

February 8, 2012 8:52 PM

Believe me, I would prefer to see a very urban design that puts more emphasis on store fronts and walkability and is consistent with the Canalside theme. But I am also happy that something is being done to this building and I don't think it is as bad as people make it out to be. I hope you are right that the design is being redone to address concerns. I hate bad urban design as much as anyone. But at least it's not as bad as the Immediate Care building, which is a real suburban nightmare.

[ Reply ]

replied to nyc

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

nyc

February 9, 2012 10:18 AM

true, there is always something worse.

Hopefully, once built out, that's not the best someone will say about Canalside. "At least it's not as bad as..."

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

300miles

February 8, 2012 2:42 PM

Any tall building with a large setback could extend the first 2 floors out towards the sidewalk to make the building more pedestrian-friendly. That would also create new space for storefronts, and create new income from leasing the spaces.

There are options.

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

brownteeth

February 9, 2012 8:36 AM

I'm actually with you. Why do they have to re-invent the wheel with that building? Without spending an unnecessary amount of extra money this is not a terrible design. Are they supposed to make a mid century building look like a warehouse from the 19th century? That would look worse.

For any new build I would expect more adhesion to the design guidelines but I think the Donovan building is an exception. Besides, it helps the transition the architecture from Buff News and HSBC atrium nearby into what will be Canalside.

At any rate I would still like to see large renderings posted all over the Canalside site with a "Coming in 2012" sign so we can at least show visitors we don't plan to leave a crater in the ground for eternity and are actually starting work.

[ Reply ]

replied to Freddy Olms

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

nyc

February 9, 2012 10:11 AM

that last thing that building should do is try and look like a building from the 19th century! I'd prefer they go modern and glass skin but that's just asethetics.

the point is - the building remake should emphasize retail and restaurant space on the ground floor and look like it is intended to be a part of a lively and active urban district. It doesn't even need to be built out to the curb to do that...there is no extra money involved, just a different decision about where to spend the money.

And no, the whole point of the design guidlines is to build an urban district that is self supporting. As soon as you start saying, well, we don't really need to worry about pedestrian expereince here, and this and that is a special case, then at the end of the day, this all amounts to nothing because there are not enough reasons to be there and too many excuses to look at.

why should we now lower expectations? This is the first major investments and its already, well, a special case?

[ Reply ]

replied to brownteeth

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

brownteeth

February 9, 2012 11:27 AM

I agree with everything you said. To clarify, I was only referring to the aesthetic, not so much the interior layout / relationship with pedestrian traffic.

[ Reply ]

replied to nyc

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

Perry

February 8, 2012 9:59 AM

Agree!

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 2 ( 4 votes )

Rand503

February 8, 2012 11:38 PM

Yeah, well YOU try to walk in wooden shoes!

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

elmdog

February 8, 2012 10:34 AM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alamsterdam/6837510689/in/pool-35034363766@N01/

with the correct lighting and trees...buffalo inner has a chance to be great

[ Reply ]

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

Lego1981

February 8, 2012 11:07 AM

I personally would'nt want to have my coffee while sitting on ice...I'd be nervous.

[ Reply ]

Score: -3 ( 9 votes )

February 8, 2012 12:10 PM

If I was sitting on ice, I'd want a coffee.

Haven't you ever been ice fishing?

[ Reply ]

replied to Lego1981

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

pampiniform

February 8, 2012 12:25 PM

I'd rather have a whisky. The beauty is if you have enough of them, it'll calm your nerves.

[ Reply ]

replied to JM

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

February 8, 2012 1:25 PM

You never asked what I put in my coffee!

[ Reply ]

replied to pampiniform

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

Tim

February 8, 2012 11:18 AM

Build an annual ice hotel. They will come. Maybe Brady would approve.

[ Reply ]

Score: 3 ( 9 votes )

Tim

February 8, 2012 1:57 PM

I'm serious actually. A few rooms. With a bar in it and a bird on it.

[ Reply ]

replied to Tim

Score: -2 ( 4 votes )

BurchJP

February 8, 2012 11:22 AM

Wow, looks like fun (insert thumbs down)!

[ Reply ]

Score: -7 ( 13 votes )

hamp

February 8, 2012 11:36 AM

Yes, Canalside has great potential. Let's make it happen!!!

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 5 votes )

BurchJP

February 8, 2012 12:07 PM

PS how wide are the Canals supposed to be?

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

buffloonitick

February 8, 2012 9:32 PM

85ft is the width of a hockey rink if you're thinking pond hockey.

[ Reply ]

replied to BurchJP

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

townline

February 8, 2012 10:18 PM

Pond hockey rinks are smaller than NHL regulation rinks.

[ Reply ]

replied to buffloonitick

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

February 8, 2012 10:40 PM

The Labbatt Pond Hockey Tournament uses 150' long x 75' deep.

The canals are approximately 37,000 square feet and will include all the necessary equipment to maintain ice during the winter.

[ Reply ]

replied to townline

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

townline

February 9, 2012 11:38 AM

Thats what the pond hockey tourney lists as their rink sizes, but the rinks they used last year were nowhere near that size. I don't know their actual, usable dimensions.

[ Reply ]

replied to JM

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

timatbuffalo

February 8, 2012 2:36 PM

What a Great idea! Europe has used it's Water Fronts for ever! With area just wide enough for Dining, Walking and a few Flower Venders, it makes a Beautiful Community. A sense of place is lost if too much of a park space is created. Shoppes and Cafes with 3 to 4 levels of Housing up above for folks to come down and enjoy the area! Just check out the housing values in these areas of enjoyment in foreign countries.

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

summersh

February 8, 2012 4:03 PM

Why not kill two birds with one stone and build little piers out into the water. They would be safer and can be used all year round.

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

buffloonitick

February 8, 2012 4:28 PM

sounds like 'pier pressure'...

[ Reply ]

replied to summersh

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

Rand503

February 8, 2012 11:41 PM

Why do you hate birds?

[ Reply ]

replied to summersh

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

NotFromBuffalo

February 9, 2012 1:00 PM

Simple remedy- why not put a mat of some kind on the ice?

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

SnowCyclist

February 11, 2012 5:44 PM

This could become our version of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa CA, which has a great skating scene and draws many people for their Winter Carnival in February.

[ Reply ]

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )