Buffalorising has been redesigned.

Some national recognition of the BNMC from a weekly high-tech trade rag:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/010806-buffalo-grid.html

It's about time! Hopefully a lot of this talk will translate into walk.

Along Main St. ,there is more than enough space in the form of expansive surface parking lots to build on.

Look forward to an extra 35,000+ people downtown. Maby this can bring more life to the streets and be great for businesses and create new retail.

T- please read. There is not going to be an extra 35,000 people downtown. UB wants to expand from 25,000 total students to 35,000 total students over the next 15 years. Only the medical programs are being considered for downtown. We are talking hundres here not thousands.

BUT IT'S STILL GREAT NEWS!!!!!

@T:

The 35,000 students would be total UB enrollment, not the downtown contingent. That being said, I would expect a lot more development of the biosciences in downtown and maybe even an Architecture and Planning School sub-location.

Heck, maybe they might build some student housing in the nieghborhood, but I highly doubt that as UB still has plenty of room on the north campus.

Now is the time to starting planning the extension of the light rail to the Amherst campus

With all this going on, this would be an ideal time for the light rail expansion out to Amherst. Think about the thousands of students/professors that would benefit this expansion. It makes 100% sense. I wish this was another state.

They are not going to move the entire campus downtown, just a few departments.

Why do we pin all our hopes and aspirations on just a few key employers and organizations. As soon as someone says "Downtown" we expect them to take on the burden of undoing 60 years of poor city planning.

I think someone said best described it when they likened us to the Scarey desperate chick! We will go with anyone who says they love us.

All I know is I'm tired of visiting other rustbelt cities and seeing how they've already turned around their downtowns:

-- Pittsburgh's North Shore development is well underway and a casino, for sure!, is coming soon.

-- Columbus has a great new arena district.

-- St. Louis has undergone an amazing turnaround.

Actually, a common thread is sports stadiums in all three areas have spurred development.

HSBC Arena opened 10 years ago and still not a single bar or restaurant or hotel has opened near it.

That's mindboggling!!!!!

If someone would have told you in 1996 that in 2007 there would still not be anything near the arena, what would your reaction have been?

And people wonder why we have a negative attitude! An entire decede and nothing's been built!!!

I guarantee, 10 years from now there still won't be any bars or restaurants near the arena.

You may disagree, but history is on my side.

The bounderies they are talking about include the Trico Building that was supposed to be redeveloped by that guy from Erie who passed away... It also includes the homes that the church on the corner of Michigan and Goodell streets... I wonder if both of these properties are going to be included in their plans...?

Simon,

I guess you've never been to the Cobblestone next to the arena. I know its only one place but you said there was nothing there. Also a new irish pub is being built next to it along with the Cobblestone Lofts. Nothing there huh?

First of all, the ONE bar that is there is about two blocks away.

Second of all - two bars? Big freakin' deal!!! Gimme a break.

I was in Columbus for the Sabres game last week and they have about six or eight bars and restaurants right next to the arena!

All the Colleges and Universities in Buffalo should look at the empty buildings downtown as gifts from Heaven. Isn't it usually cheaper to renovate a building than build a new one? I remember when I lived in New Haven, Yale was buying and renovating every empty factory or office building they could get their hands on, which was a lot because New Haven was an old industrial city too. The results are stunning because this activity drives the real estate market higher and they can always unload a building if they decide they don't want it.

Keith, not necessarily. It is often more expensive to update an older building than to build new. This is often due to building codes that weren't in place when older buildings were built. Not to mention handicaped accessibility and asbestos abatement. Not to mention, trying to fit a building program into a building that was designed for something completely deifferent can be challanging. That's why there are so many financial insentives for historical rehab and such.

I believe the Arena District in Columbus was designed and built all at the same time. Funded by Nationwide? It was a large scale development/investment. It wasn't necessarily a result of the Arena spurring any growth like we expected here. I may be wrong though. I was at the game too and had a few conversations with the locals.

UB expansion in the downtown medical campus area is ALL GOOD! Things just continue to look good for downtown Buffalo.

Simon - I agree with Pittsburgh, however I would consider what they are doing in their Southside neighborhood more significant, judging by what use to be there - an industrial mecca. Hmm..sound familiar?? Southside Works is awesome! This is hopefully what Canal Side will look like.
Check it out: www.southsideworks.com

That South Side Works looks great. Claddagh Pub, McCormick & Schmidt's, too.

I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the Steel City.

The title of the articled in networkworld is a bit of a backhanded compliment. If Bflo had made the author's list of cities , it would have said "ethnic foods and winter sports " instead of "chicken wings and snowstorms" . More articles like "Actions Speak Louder" will show the positive side to Bflo's seasons

Maybe what Buffalo needs is a "large scale development" where blocks of city streets are reconstructed. Just a thought.

Jefferson , I think that is the plan here with UB. About 4-5 blocks worth of development. Whether it's renovations or construction it's a good thing.

News articles so far have said that only 25-30 million would be used for medical campus development. That's not nearly enough to fund 4-5 blocks worth of construction. I'm hoping for one or maybe two new buildings that are mixed use. Either way it should help fill in the medical campus and bring new activity downtown.

Jefferson.. we tried that it was called urban renewal where block after black were destroyed and rebuilt with progressive housing for the future... Lets not repeat taht mistake.

Cities grow from a lot of many things working together, little steps. NOT huge top down strategies. UB coming to downtown and the medical campus is adding another layer and piece to the puzzle. A puzzle that is starting to take form.

and yes this is the perfect time to start talking about light rail to North Campus... now that the suburbanites (the bad closed minded kind) that inhabit the admin offices of UB might have to drive into the city... they might want something easier and safer than driving.

SBROF - I am more worried about the suburbanites (and urbanites) in the University Heights district, Amherst, Kenmore and Tonawanda who have shot down the light - rail proposal time and again. They do not want the trains in their neighborhoods, and have openly cited their contempt for "those" residents of the city. We can dream about the end of bigotry, but it exists in the hearts and minds of people of all races, creeds, and backgrounds.

Simon, conventions centers and stadiums by themselves are poor magnets for spin-off development because the supply of customers is feast or famine. Cafes and pubs need steady trade, not just a burst now and then when there's a game or a trade show. That's why the downtown residential boom is the best thing to happen to downtown. Those folks will sustain the businesses while you're eating & drinking at other places between games.

One of the best things university systems can do, have done, and should do in a downtown is to build innovative, city-supporting housing-- not only for their students and faculty, but for the growing community of older people who are not only interested in so-called "lifetime learning," but who also need the institutional understanding of a manner of living that the private market is not readily providing.

University systems have an unusual financial capability to purchase, assemble, and develop land. One would like to think they also have the appropriate sense of social responsibility to contribute to the city in more ways than adding dreary classroom fortresses and broader-life-excluding dormitory districts.

A good start would be the main/high intersection... too bad the brewery building (10 story apartments) was demolished for a never built building.

Also, anyone know why the 13 story medical tower across from the former brewery is abandoned?

Seems there are about 8 or 9 shovel ready brick strewn and gravel lots here with a gateway type sign for Buff Gen and the BNMC.

Perry,

You are a good socialist indeed! Keep up the good work and the party will reward you comrade!

More government housing... down with corrupt businesses, the government and state run institutions will take care of us! Horray! Horray!

yeah I think the difference between then and now in reference to light rail is it isn't 1980's / Buffalo isn't hemorrhaging like it used to be and there is a growing sentiment that the city no longer is this center of all things bad. That coupled with actually having UB support this and I think there are the pieces that can start the ball moving. At least educate the public about its benefits. Remember no one is asking for a subway stop anywhere in between South and North campus... A couple might be nice but I could live without them for the sake of getting the line built, we can always add in stations at the mall or Sheridan later.

Once people from north have to regularly commute downtown... pay for parking, even more importantly no one is going to want to loose their spot on north campus because they know they will be looking for 10-20 minutes for another one and the students who will be living downtown how are they going to get to campuses for class? Are they expected to drive? Take the subway and transfer to the bus? But UB blew off the NFTA a couple months ago when they tried to give students access to the NFTA system.

It wont be an easy road but UB is going to have to provide some sort of transportation alternatives that drive between all three campuses.

Re: Columbus -

I have never been to Columbus to check out the thriving nightlife, but is there a chance it has to do with a large university in town that is home to about 80,000 people (no exaggeration)?

80,000 students????

Better check your facts. That's what I hate about these Web sites - people just make up their own facts.

Ohio State has 50,000 students. Yes, it's big, but not nearly as big as you claim - you did greatly exaggerate.

Besides, the students don't patronize the downtown and arena district areas.

LIGHT FLURRIES: So you're saying it's just coincidence that Pittsburgh, Columbus and St. Louis have thriving development near stadiums.

Actually, you probably are right. Afterall, HSBC Arena is done squat to help spur development.

I've actually given tours of the NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences (UB's) building. It's amazing. And very promsing. The idea is to bring chemists, biologists, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies all to one central location. In order to research, develop and hopefully market life-saving drugs. It's going to start off small but it's moving with the times of a heavily medical research based society. Give it a little credit.

What the hell does the arena area have to do with the Medical Campus? I'm glad UB is expanding into this area which will only continue to grow and prosper in the city.

im happy for it. bring it on.

Irish PR girl --

What were the impressions of the people you guided through the CoE? Did you also guide the author of that networkworld story? He seemed impressed but he did seem a little overly zealous of the BNMC's potential for reviving Buffalo, IMO... I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.

I'm surprised that everyone thinks that UB investing further in the Medical Corridor is going to help with the Light Rail expansion.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are not the life science departments for UB already located at the South Campus, at the end of the existing Light Rail?

I really don't think moving any of UB's graduate or life sciences programs downtown is going to help with the expansion of the light rail to the North Campus.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for expanding the light rail. How does this help the argument for light rail expansion to the North Campus?

It helps bring more people downtown, but that's about it.

coolrobc -

Actually, the UB supercomputer is located in a basement on North Campus, along with most of the sciences like chemistry, biology, etc...

I really feel this is an enormous opportunity to reconnect all of ub with itself as well as downtown. The NFTA has repeatedly stated that it is not interested in expanding the Rail until a dedicated source of funding for operation has been established. I'm not sure how much it costs to keep the catenary wire electrified (its pretty expensive) but I wonder if the few million the NFTA would make from school-wide student passes at UB would pay for a big chunk of that. Its certainly an exciting opportunity that needs to be explored.

I work on the BNMC and every day when I walk from the parking lot to my building there is always something new going on...like right now the bridge across Ellicott street. We receive frequent emails updating us on the new companies (such as Cleveland biolabs and a Canadian pharmaceutical outfit of which I can't remember the name) I am very optomistic about the city and state taking advantage of the potential for growth of this area. Based on newsletters which we have received, we are fortunate that our new governor is behind developing the BNMC as well.

Townline-

The supercomputer was moved down to the bioinformatics center a few months ago.

Coolrobc, the president of UB already mentioned the expansion of the light rail out to the north campus. It is in the plans for his vision of UB expanding. The NFTA has been screwing this region for over 50 years. We all know the rail was supposed to go to the North campus to begin with. The light rail was made so it could easily be expanded. The time is now or never. If Buffalo and UB want to grow this is a must,

Wait a minute...what am I hearing? UB is relocating downtown & they're bringing 350,000 students. Excellent!

MF -Read The Article, they're not moving everything from the Amherst campus.

Townline- You don't need to be next to the computer to use it. You send it info, it crunches the data, it sends info back. Proximity isn't an issue. Besides if JJ is correct the point is moot.

Spaulding- Like I said, I'm in favor of the expansion of the light rail. I live 2 blocks away from the South Campus, and wish it could take me somehwere other than just downtown.

I fail to see how this expansion in the medical corridor has ANYTHING to do with expanding the life sciences, etc, that are already located at the South Campus and already on the subway line.

Further expansion in the city of other programs more intimately connected with the North Campus would provide a much better argument for expansion than this. That's all I'm trying to say.

I hope that type of additional expansion of other programs is detailed in the master plan when it's released.

interesting, I was unaware they moved the computer, thanks for the info.

EDIT, 4th paragraph should read:

I fail to see how this expansion in the medical corridor of the life sciences, etc has ANYTHING to do with expanding the Light Rail Those programs are already located at the South Campus and already on the subway line.

... my kingdom for an edit feature

All i was getting at was if there was any a time for an expansion, now is the time. I understand what your saying Coolrobc about South campus etc. But The plans are also for residential buildings along with an expansion of the medical corridor. Therefore if UB ever wanted to connect residents throughout all of UB (North , Medical & South) now it is possible. I know that the South & Medical are currently connected . UB is building up the Medical/ Downtown area, why not have a direct route to North campus? But yeah your right, it has nothing to do with this article.

The burbs don't want the metro rail in thier back yards. It may bring in the undesirables from the city in. That is how backwards this area is.

I am originally from Buffalo but now I live in Kansas City. I think the UMKC campus in the city is one of the major catalysts in making Westport, Brookside, Southmoreland, and Plaza area really cool neighborhoods. I myself reside downtown in the Quality Hill neighborhood, and it is really starting to come alive.

UB downtown is an excellent idea! Now Buffalo needs to get some corporations downtown to attract those UB grads...just like Farmers, H&R Block, Hallmark, Sprint, Embarq, AMC Theaters [headquartered here in KC], and the Federal Reserve Bank draw all of the KU, UM and UMKC grads into KC. I think that if Buffalo did that you might not see the flight of many UB grads to other places...

KC's cost of living is pretty fantastic just like Buffalo; if Buffalo could mirror KC's job offerings, I think that you would see a major population shift towards the city in Buffalo, and this time it would be the city bragging and not Amherst.

The current ub amherst campus could have been built in dowtown Buffalo over 30 years ago if they would have listen to Nelson Rockefeller in the late 60's. Downtown as know today would have many more people living and working if the great minds of the area would have follow his plans!

Simon Pure said - "All I know is I'm tired of visiting other rustbelt cities and seeing how they've already turned around their downtowns:

-- Pittsburgh's North Shore development is well underway and a casino, for sure!, is coming soon."

Don't be jealous of Pittsburgh they are one of the few Cities and Metro areas that is losing a larger number AND proportion of it's population than the city of Buffalo and metro Buffalo