I am so happy to see that momentum is picking up for promoting the installation of a gondola system that would transport tourists up an over the industrial area along the Buffalo River, and out to the 21st Century Park.
In days to come, Nicholas Chu, from Creative Urban Projects, will be presenting his study that details the benefits of the transportation ride, as well as what it would take to get it off the ground. Cities all over the world have constructed gondola systems in order to create a fun ride that also doubles as an effective means of transportation.
The ongoing drive behind The Gondola Project is due to the steadfastness of groups such as Citizens for Regional Transit that understand the need for diversification when it comes to how people get around this city. Gondolas have the ability to change the face of cities. In Buffalo, the gondola system would be a year round way for people to explore the waterfront. Gondolas are breezy in the summer, and warm in the winter. Tourists can bring bikes along with them, or even cross-country skis. These speedy rides actually deliver people to their destinations in a timely manner, due to the different speeds that the cars travel (these are not the slower cable cars, which are all linked together).
Another asset to the gondola system (see route) is that there is no major construction needed that would hamper progress along the water. Public funding is also minimal compared to other transportation initiatives.
What could be better than a fun, quick, comfortable ride to the Outer Harbor, high over the city, with incredible views of the lake? The Gondola Project would be a giant step forward for Buffalo, especially due to the lack of connectivity between the Inner and the Outer Harbors.
Citizens for Regional Transit, 21st Century Park & Creative Urban Projects Present:
The Gondola Project
Free and Open to All
Monday, May 18 2015 | Hallwalls 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo | 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
*Presentations about the Gondola Lift and adjoining 21st Century Park systems will be 10 minutes each with time for questions from the interested developers, government officials, and organizations interested in the development of the Outer Harbor
Images from Dean Evaniak (from a series on BRO before the momentum for the initiative began to take hold). See the series below:
See Dean’s push for cable cars on BRO
See Cableway Chronicles on BRO: Part 1
See Cableway Chronicles on BRO: Part 2