so what? if we need a duty free shop! If Buffalo stops this project just for the residents sake, what kind of messege will it send to developers!
so what? if we need a duty free shop! If Buffalo stops this project just for the residents sake, what kind of messege will it send to developers!
This podcast is amazing and anyone who has previously taken the attitude of "just build it" really ought to take 30 minutes to just listen. Yes, it's longer that the sound-bites and PBA-press-releases that have been spoon-fed to the public thru mainstream media but, you owe it to yourself and your kids and grandchildren and the next 80 years' worth of Western New Yorkers to do it. This project is the "Kensington Expressway" of our time — even bigger. This is the project that will define our generation of Buffalonians and leadership long after we are gone and the condos and lofts are passé.
actually, there was (or is) an option to move the plaza north of this site into an area where informal surveys have found most residents more than willing to sell. The homes and neighborhoods affected by the northern plaza proposal was not nearly as nice as the Columbus Pkwy neighborhood. The PBA's engineers/planners decided that since most traffic moves south from exiting the bridge, it made no sense to move vehicular traffic up to a northern plaza that would in turn funnel cars and trucks back south. My personal opinion on this matter is that the northern plaza option could be very doable, it just will involve more imagination and perhaps more dollars. In the long run, however, I think it would be the best thing for the affected neighborhoods, the city and the region.
Not to be rude but these houses are not historic. They are old, but not historic. With the limited amount of new house construction in the city in the last 60 years almost every home could be called "historic" by there qualifications. These homes can be found all over the place in the city. They were built with details that are common and the materials are "middle class" at best. Sadly this is the case for much of the housing stock in the city.
The peace bridge project is also not like the Kensington. THAT WAS A MISTAKE. It took a one of a kind and once in a lifetime Parkway and tore it down to build an artery from the city to the burbs.
While I am sure this is a great neighborhood and these folks are great neighbors, saving their homes is not in the best interest of the city. Ideally, it would be best for everyone in Buffalo to have the American plaza in Fort Erie. THAT SHOULD BE THE RALLY CRY. But it does not look like that is possible. With this being the case, the City would be foolish to allow a SMALL group of homeowners control the build out of a necessary component in the FUTURE of Buffalo.
RonR – granted, the majority of homes are not on the National Register of Historic Places (though I think some "left behind" could be) but, a huge expanse of PARK and a view of the Niagara-meeting-Lake Erie that is amazing (though currently not-accessible). If you want to readily dismiss the people and the homes, at least consider the impact on natural, lifestyle and tourism-potential RESOURCES that are a county-wide asset.
shared border or bust...
There is no reason we can't have our new bridge and maintain the neighborhoods around it. Just because Bush said so doesn't make it cannon law. We shouldn't sell short our city and our future because of that idiot.
Unfortunately, I haven't been following this issue as closely as I should be. Is it possible to force truck/frieght traffic to use the international bridge and have the Peace Bridge as commuter/passenger traffic only? Why can't we and our Canadian neighbors put more pressure on our elected officials to come to an agreement on a shared border crossing. To my knowledge its because our new customs procedures under the PATRIOT ACT would violate the Canadian Charter of Rights. Isn't there a compromise somewhere?
The best option it seems would be to have trucks use the International Bridge and have a customs plaza on the US side for stricter freight searches and use the Peace Bridge for commuter traffic with a Shared Canadian Border Plaza so these homes can be saved. Is this a possibility or am I hoping for the impossible?
i think refering to bush policy as "cannon" law might be one of the most inadvertently apt statements i have ever heard.
ps - just for claritys sake, my first comment was sarcasm. demolish neighborhood = bad idea.
the black eyes for Higgins and Brown and the Peace Bridge Association are just starting...I can see protests and I can see this having a very bad effect on the political careers especially for Brown and Higgins who like to have high public profiles.
you can debate the historic significance of this neighborhood all you want but it should NOT be demolished for an expanded plaza just because the feds cannot and will not negotiate and broker a shared border management deal.
as far as Im concerned there are plenty of locations for the bridge and plenty of locations traffic can be redirected. They can redirect the traffic to the Whirlpool and Lewiston for all I care but this is an intact city neighborhood and it deserves its right to exist.
I stand arm in arm with the residences and businesses effected!
the black eyes for Higgins and Brown and the Peace Bridge Association are just starting...I can see protests and I can see this having a very bad effect on the political careers especially for Brown and Higgins who like to have high public profiles.
you can debate the historic significance of this neighborhood all you want but it should NOT be demolished for an expanded plaza just because the feds cannot and will not negotiate and broker a shared border management deal.
as far as Im concerned there are plenty of locations for the bridge and plenty of locations traffic can be redirected. They can redirect the traffic to the Whirlpool and Lewiston for all I care but this is an intact city neighborhood and it deserves its right to exist.
I stand arm in arm with the residences and businesses effected!
THIS IS A SHARED BOARDER FOLKS. You can not move the location. Canada has already completed their plaza for both Cars and Truck. They are not going to build another plaza up the river because we want to save some homes.
There are two choices:
Build the bigger plaza at the proposed location. Build the plaza on the Canadian side and shrink the current plaza on the US side.
I personally prefer the latter but do not see it happening.
cdubmoo, you said: "Unfortunately, I haven't been following this issue as closely as I should be." and bless you for admitting it. Part of the problem is that the PBA and mainstream media don't go out of their way to present this as a balanced and complete issue. The PBA had to be sued, fer crying out loud, to allow public access to the project, to treat the bridge in context with the plaza and submit to an Environmental Impact Study! My home isn't even IN the project area but, I've been trying to keep up with and stay involved anyway and it's exhausting — and I only started about 5-6 years ago! Others have been at it for 20+ years! I assure you, the last thing any of us want to do is drag this out any longer than need be! Is no fun hearing that every infrastructure-improvement project in your neighborhood is "waiting for the decision on the bridge". We watch all sorts of improvements along Richmond but it stops at Symphony Circle. There is a Porter Avenue Beautification plan is a drawer somewher but, it never seems to get funded "until they resolve the bridge". Believe me — I want closure on this project as much as anyone else! People who think the project was stalled for the last 3 years have to realize that it WASN'T — the Environment Impact Study was being conducted. The outcome of it was nearly impossible to find until a few weeks ago. There are 21 appendixes in addition to the actual DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study) — totalling more than 594MB of PDF documents. Parsons did the study and prepared the documents. The PBA is their client. The documents can be found here: http://www.peacebridgex.com/deis.aspx
I'm told that a 20-page summary will also be made available. At the very least, a citizen should be required to read the 20 pages and listen to a 30-minute podcast before rolling their eyes and saying they are sick of it or just build it! Heck, they sit iin front of American Idol and that lame show with the suitcase for longer! Sorry to get so lengthy but, I guess I wanted to say "it's not entirely your fault" that you didn't know up until now. But, from this point forward…
The PBA will continue to buy up any property that is put on the market. It will let it detoriate like the rest has and property vaules will continue to go down. I'm actually somewhat surprised that more people haven't tried selling knowing the inevitable. Would homeowners receive more value by selling now or waiting to take what they get when the homes are taken over by the PBA??
Ron, why should that option be totally out of the question? The plaza they built wouldn't need to be removed and would still be used for cars. Maybe costs for the truck plaza a mile north would be a fairly small portion of the overal project and who knows, maybe the Ambassador Bridge company would fund some or all of those costs. A benefit to Canada of the approach would be to eliminate the truck traffic long backups on the QEW as sometimes happen. I don't know all about this, but just seems there's a lot of potential upsides that should be considered.
Canada has already completed their plaza for both Cars and Truck. They are not going to build another plaza up the river because we want to save some homes.
on a side note... I hope I'm alive to see the day that something other than stock videop of NIAGARA FALLS is shown on Monday Night Football when talking about the city of BUFFALO! The new Peace Bridge - Buffalo City Tower - something to look forward to.
The key here is at the local level. Read the above Neighborhood Significance statement. The National Park Serivce defines Historic Property as a district, site, building, structure or object significant in American history, architecture, engineering, archeology or culture at the national, State, or local level.
Additionally, age is just one consideration when determining if a property is historic. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior has developed eligibility criteria for the National Register of Historic Places that is also used for evaluating properties in local historic districts. According to the criteria, a historic resource is typically 50 years old or older and is noteworthy for its association with a significant person or event, for its design or construction techniques and/or for its information potential. A historic resource must also retain its physical integrity that is comprised of seven qualities: materials, design, workmanship, location, setting, feeling and association.
detoriate = deteriorate (dĭ-tîr'ē-ə-rāt') To diminish or impair in quality, character, or value: Time and neglect had deteriorated the property.
Ron R- Are you Ron Rienas from the PBA? Interesting perspective! There are many houses that are eligible for the historic registry. Read the DEIS about these homes if you want to be informed. History is not only about the architecture.
Why the PBA is considering taking out even one home to accomodate trucks and cars crossing the bridge is beyond me. Someone said it best- this IS the Kensington Expressway of our time. This is the type of project that gives emminent domain a bad name- there are alternatives that leave the neighborhood intact. Another Masiello legacy. Tall, goofy idiot. Time to get rid of all of the patronage-packed and unaccountable Authorities that are crippling and destroying the city.
There is a 16-page summary of the DEIS that can be downloaded as this website:
http://www.peacebridgex.com/welcome.aspx
scroll down to lower right and find this:
The NEPA Design Public Information Brochure is now available online to view or download
Bear in mind that there is also a "fourth option" that is NOT in the study because it didn't make the short-list at the workshops — using the International Railroad Bridge site (a corridor that is already brownfield, built long ago for the purpose of hauling goods). This location would get the TRUCKS OUT of the park and the neighborhood, and away from the lake-meets-river vista — and could allow the current bridge to be used ONLY for cars, bikes and pedestrians.
Pretty much any option other than 1B-R3 (the "surprise!" one) is gonna require groundswell pressure to:
a) get Shared-Border-Management (the "SBM" on Alternative 3 sub-sets: SBM 13G-R1, SBM 23B-R1 and SBM 23B-R2) re-instated.
b) demand that the PBA expand their dynasty NOT into prime historic tourism and waterfront land but, move the truck capacity to the Int'l Railroad Corridor OR
c) allow a private, tax-generating entity to do so.
This town has pretty much had it with being dumped upon by NYS "Authorities" and we've had a few successes to prove it's possible to stand up to them. Our gov't leaders should to consider that construction jobs can happen either way (votes, votes, votes) but, the project will be in ribbon-cutting photos forever! LOL
RonR, you dont see the PBA moving the plaza....well read the comments on these posts...
can you visualize the protests? I can!
Can you see Brown and Higgins and Hoyt backing down because of community opposition? I can!
Can you see that whether a democrat or republican is elected president that a new head of homeland security will be appointed and that shared border management negotiations may be reopened? I can!
Can you see the PBA relenting and either moving the expanded plaza or moving the bridge location? I can!
Yes we want a bridge....but what the PBA needs to understand is that people will not accept the bride with the expanded plaza. If the PBA wants a bridge then they arent going to get it going against the citizens of Buffalo!
Chris69
I think what is most likely to happen is the shared boarder option gaining strength and the bridge getting built in the next 4 years. This is also what I want to happen.
I do not want the neighborhood to be effected. My point was if a shared boarder is not an option, that is what should be done.
And yes...I can see the protests. Buffalo will protest protests.
The people who wanted to sell their properties North of RhodeIsland Street are either absentee landlords or are elderly wanting to downsize. Some people bought up properties just hoping to cash in on what the PBA might offer them. The people who have wanted to sell to downsize haven't been able to for a long time because of the what ifs surrounding the Peace Bridge issues. Others were allowed to let their properties deteriorate because of the poor way the city deals with the management of housing issues. The people west of Niagara Street for many years weren't allowed to participate in low interest loans other neighborhoods were allowed to. The PBA already purchased many properties and no one enforced the housing codes with them. They paid big bucks for some of the properties also. Are they going to pay these residents the same or are they going to say that the neighborhood isn't worth it? This is classic block busting!
I would laugh my ass off if the westside community and the black rock community secretly maintained those homes: painting, shoveling sidewalks, cleaned gutters, patched roofs etc so they could not be condemned.
Id laugh my ass off....if the PBA tried to condemn them and the city inspector came andsaid there was nothing wrongw ith them....refusing the application.
RonR....from the direction I see these protests going as emminent domain starts to approach....I would say shared border management IS THE ONLY OPTION.....if the bridge is to be built without delay....otherwise the protests will simply result in bridge delays and lawsuits and protests.
The Ambassador bridge group's aim is to foil any bridge development in this area. It is all smoke and mirrors. They own the Windsor/Detroit bridge and do not want traffic diverted to this neck of the woods. They have no intention of building a bridge, simply stalling the process. You'll start to see them get very active. Don't buy it. They have deep pockets buy some land and smoke everyone.
Isn't eminent domani suppose to be used when the public good outweighs private property rights. Restoring and furthering commercial and residential traffic over the second busiest international boredr in North America I would think clearly fall into this category. Hopefully BR and Queenseye will demonstrate some balance and cover the other side of this issue. Hopefully our elected officials will show the courage necessary to overcome a clearly vocal minority
carl malone....but its not for the public good when the Whirlpool Bridge and the Lewiston Bridge are both under-utilized and under-capacity in all categories: car, truck, rail and customs. therefore, the idea that Detroits bridge revenue will be impacted by restricting Buffalos bridge traffic is a non-argument.
The Buffalo Niagara region is not over-capacity. However the Buffalo bridge capacity is only predicting near capacity....so its an economic impact/infrastructure investment for Buffalo only...not....Buffalo Niagara.
When one frames the argument on those terms it is not worth the loss of a residential and commercial community for an expanded plaza......we can wait and hold up bridge construction through protest until a shared border agreement is reached without any economic impact!
Count me in for the shared border agreement. Those houses are too nice to be lost for the Peace Bridge.
I've seen the plan. I work at the bridge. I live in the city (a mere mile away from the PB) and we NEED a new plaza and bridge (2nd busiest Northern Border Port!). I thought the plan looked great and I am optimistic that Buffalo will finally get a real International crossing. I am optimistic that I will be able to work in a secure, safe environment that accomodates and facilitates trade and people across the border. It frustrates me that people can comment so carelessly about the border when nearly every fact they state is incorrect. I am sorry for the loss of the houses but it would be a greater injustice to watch Buffalo slip further back into stagnation.
We don't need a new Peace Bridge and we don't need the old one. The small amount of money that we get from the bridge isn't worth the scourge that it inflicts on West Side residents. We should 1) close this off and tear it down, then 2) continue to tear out the NIagara Thruway all the way from 290 to Ogden Street and 3) south past the Skyway. 4) Close off and rip out the Kensington Expressway and return the street grid to revitalize the East Side. 5) Develop light rail, passenger, and freight train service to Toronto and NY on existing lines with Buffalo as the hub. 6) Make Buffalo the logistics hub for rail freight, make it the safety inspection point for all international freight and passengers. 7) Stop focusing on car traffic, it will soon be a thing of the past
Thank you BRO for highlighting the issue of emminent domain and how it will destroy this residential, diverse community. This is my family's neighborhood. They have invested their lives there- their money- their efforts to keep the community in tact. These are not just vacant run-down houses. These are exquisite well cared for properties. But more than that- these are wonderful, caring, lovely, educated, dedicated families- homeowners. For those of you who are commenting without listening to the podcast- please take the time to listen to it. It is illuminating.
I would love for someone to show me the economic study that shows the value of the Peace Bridge for the city of Buffalo. I have never seen one. And my hunch is that the economic benefits from the Bridge are greatly exagerated.
Also, why didn't the EIS look at a single span option, as I am guessing that it would require a smaller plaza.
One more thing. I find it extremely ironic that when a single span was proposed, the Peace Bridge was telling us the old bridge was some kind of wonderful historic structure. And now they are going to demolish al these historic houses.
No one would think of expanding traffic on the 198 through the Nottingham and Delaware Park Community. Amherst, Orchard Park, and Grand Island would never agree to putting a truck plaza in their back yards. The people in the City of Buffalo on the West Side deserve better.
We keep asking the question of showing us just how this bridge and plaza will bring economic growth to our community and all we ever get are opinions, but never any studies are done with research based FACTS!
Do you think letters were sent out to the Hispanic community in Spanish asking them to participate at the DEIS hearings? Do you wonder why the announcement was made today in the TV media about the urban renewal project around the proposed plaza and neighborhood (what is left of it) after the sign up period to speak at the DEIS hearing had ended?
Congressman Higgins sent letters to the business community asking for their support of this expansion project because he has a "feeling" that this is what Buffalo needs!
The PBA wants what it wants. Let's see. If we put up a new plaza on the Canadian side, then we can't possibly change our plans!
DMD YOU ARE WRONG....the Whirlpool Bridge and the Lewiston Bridge are both under-utilized and under-capacity in all categories: car, truck, rail and customs.
The Buffalo Niagara region is not over-capacity. However the Buffalo bridge capacity is only predicting near capacity....so its an economic impact/infrastructure investment for Buffalo only...not....Buffalo Niagara.
When one frames the argument on those terms it is not worth the loss of a residential and commercial community for an expanded plaza......we can wait and hold up bridge construction redirect traffic to the bridges in Niagara County until a shared border agreement is reached without any economic loss to Buffalo or the region!
A car and truck plaza need not be on a single level. That 1950's "fan" layout is unbelievably wasteful and hideous. A bi-level plaza with trucks below and cars above would save this nice neighborhood from the bulldozers. You gotta look at it this way: for the bridge itself, you 'break a few eggs', but for this stupid, paranoid extravagance, N.O.P.E. >Not On Planet Earth.
Stupid, Stupid, and Stupid again, Buffalo! Over and over and over again!
Hamp is absolutely right: these houses (and more importantly the contributions to Buffalo of the residents) are too great to be sacrificed for this perennial promise.
The demolition will likely occur but the plaza and bridge never.
Trade a living neighborhood for a plan.
Another joke.
hamp,
Put down the Humus from your coffee shop on Elmwood. THIS IS THE NUMBER TWO CROSSING POINT ON THE BOARDER!
Buffalo is a trucking and warehousing hub for the east coast. If you don't know about shit, dont talk about them as you do.
RonR dont try to bully and intimidate! I know just as much about domestic and international trade thru Buffalo Niagara than you if not more...and I will not be as easy to intimidate.
Yes by my calculations there is 100 billion dollars in goods that cross the US - Canadian Border Yes by my calculations there is another 100 billion dollars in goods that tavel east-west between the Northeast and the midwest Yes Buffalo is still the #2 inland port in the US Yes Buffalo is still the #8 port in the Northeast Yes Buffalo is now the auxilliary port for the Port of NY/NJ
BUT IF BUFFALO NIAGARA WAS THE WAREHOUSE CAPITAL AND ADDED VALUE TO THE ESTIMATED 200 BILLION DOLLARS IN GOODS THAT PASS THRU OUR CITY, THEN WE WOULD HAVE ALOT MORE WAREHOUSE SPACE THAN ROCHESTER WHICH HAS NO INTERNATIONAL TRANSHIPMENT OR BORDER FACILITIES!
FACT OF THE MATTER IS BUFFALO NIAGARA DOESNT ADD VALUE TO THE MAJORITY OF GOODS THAT PASS THRU OUR CITY....AND BUFFALO IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES IS LITTLE MORE THAN A PASS THRU CONDUIT!
THE BUFFALO PEACE BRIDGE ISNT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING AT CAPACITY! One again I must repeat that the Whirlpool Bridge and the Queenston/Lewiston Bridges are all under-used, under-capacity in every category: car, truck, rail and customs! We can very easily redirect traffic to under-capacity bridges without suffering any loss to our local or regional economy!
THEREFORE.....THE EFFECTED PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT BUFFALO AND WNY CAN VERY EASILY PROTEST AND DELAY CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE PBA AND HOMELAND SECURITY ADOPT A SHARED BORDER MANAGMENT PLAN THAT DOES NOT EXPAND THE SIZE OF THE CURRENT PLAZA!
Ron, I stand hand in hand and arm in arm with the citizens and residents of this community. I am not intimidated by your arguments....and their justification that these homes and businesses must be sacrificed for the greater good. I know it! They know it! Furthermore the citizens of Buffalo and WNY know it!
Demands to expand the plaza with stonewall and delay the construction of any bridge.
Furthermore, demands for an expanded plaza my just result in the residents of Buffalo and WNY demanding the Peace Bridge closed rather than succumb to an expanded plaza......much less agree to an expanded plaza for a second bridge.
Here is my warning to the PBA...there are alot of people looking for a cause...and the last thing you want is a protest where someone jumps off the Peace Bridge into the Niagara River in opposition of the expanded plaza! If that happens the PBA is going to be under huge scrutiny and public media as well as a ground swell of local opposition and prosecution.
Once the protest starts .... you have no idea just how far it could spiral out of control if its shoved down the throats of the community that opposes it.
The same can be said of the coming protests against the Skyway....because that is another potential that could very easily result in protestors and picketers marching up the skyway and cutting off traffic or a car turning off their ignition in the one lane at the peak height of the skyway over the Buffalo River/ErieCanal Wharf...and god forbid someone gets blown off during a protest stunt like that...
You dont know how far a protest is going to go....but my advise to the PBA and the NYSDOT with regard to the skyway.....is not to be filled with so much hubris that you under-estimate the power of a protest.
chris69 I hope you signed up to speak at the DEIS! You are right about the protests. You are going to be hearing a lot more from this community in the next few weeks and months. The momentum is building.
When a person speaks at the public meeting, next Thursday (or chooses to submit comments) they will be speaking to the public record. For due-diligence to be done in this process, every effort must be made to obtain answers to the questions presented and give consideration to the opinions offered. The "lead agency" (in this case, the Federal Highway Administration) is obligated to obtain and incorporate the answers to the publics' questions into the final document, before making their recommendation. The deadline for public input is October 29th.
From the NEPA Design Public Information Brochure:
Persons wishing to provide comments on the DEIS will have the opportunity to do so orally and/or in writing at the Public Hearing ,or by providing written comments by the comment deadline. Oral comments will be accepted during the public comment portions of the Hearing beginning at noon and 7:30 p.m. The comments will be recorded by a stenographer. In addition,a stenographer will be available during the open house to accept oral comments in private from those who wish to make an oral statement but do not wish to do so in front of the audience. Written statements and other exhibits may be filed in place of or in addition to oral statements made at the Hearing. Written statements will be accepted at the hearing and until the comment deadline. At the Open House there will be comment boxes where you can deposit your written comments. Written statements must be received by:
Mr.Alan E.Taylor,Regional Director
NYSDOT Region 5
100 Seneca St
Buffalo,NY 14203-2939
OR
Ms.Amy Jackson-Grove
FHWA Assistant Division Administrator
Leo W.O ’Brien Federal Building, 7th Floor
Clinton Ave &North Pearl St
Albany,NY 12207
by Monday,October 29,2007. All oral and written comments will be addressed in the Final EIS, which will identify the project’s preferred alternative.
carlmalone, drd, RonR.....Your right. Why let the emotional aspects of having your house snatched up by the PBA stop this project from moving forward. So what if you turn a few hundred lives upside down, throw families into financial chaos, displace families that never wanted to leave in the first place, Tell them they have to give up their beautiful home, and relocate close by to another property that is reasonably similar, somewhat safe and oh yes, clean. Then we can start rebuilding someone elses nightmare and sink tens of thousands of dollars into starting over again. This should be exciting news for my elderly neighbors who can't afford to leave their home. We may loose another vital piece of Buffalo's vibrant history but no big deal.....we're good at it. Only a small minority wants to preserve the Columbus Parkway-Busti Cooridor, Olmsted Front Park, The Yacht club, Rowing Club, access to the waterfront via Porter ave. Why make a big deal out of demolishing one of a kind architecture that housed the likes of Rober Shea, Bishop Timon. Col. Ward., J. Jewitt, Gen., Porter. Giving this historic land to a transpotation agency to develop makes much better sense. Beside, we already have a track record of transpotational blunders. Whats one more. I vote for taking your homes first. You could pioneer the eminent domain process and make it less painful for those of us who have been living with it hanging over our neighborhood for twenty years. Let's even out the playing field. After all, it's just bricks and mortar. YOU GO FIRST!
Why do we want these trucks to come through our neighborhoods? Are we making money on them? Enough money to make up for the loss of a historic neighborhood. This is f-ing crazy! A truck plaza? Wake up people. Our forefathers would be rolling over in their graves if they saw us playing dead for the PBA. The PBA is an authority that DOES NOT CARE ABOUT BUFFALO. They want to make as much money as they can in toll money. Trucks bring in a ton of money for them. Why don't you ask to see where that money goes. Has anybody asked? Is it going into our community? Don't let them tell you that this is progress. It's an ugly mess with two bridges that don't even twin each other. Keep the old one that needs millions of dollars of maintenance? What? Who's making the money on that deal? Maybe you should ask. Build one bridge or move the truck traffic to the International Bridge. It's that simple. If you knock down another neighborhood for a ROGUE BUSINESS that wants a bigger plaza and more truck money you're crazy. Ask what the PBA has done for Buffalo. NOTHING. EVER! Don't be duped again. Don't think that this is anti-progress. That's what they want you to think. They want you to think that if you go against this project then you are against progress. Listen to what the PBA is about to do to the waterfront that we have been trying to reclaim. For trucks? For trucks? For trucks? Over a historic neighborhood? Where's the trade-off? This makes me sick to my stomach. I hope that the politicians wake up. Chris69 is right. This is going to blow up in their faces and ruin the legacy that they are trying to build with one fell swoop. We'll be talking about this one for years.
The "Authority" contracted with Parsons Transportation Group (Project Manager) during the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process. As Project Manager they ARE responsible for ALL aspects of public outreach. The Public Involvement Plan was developed to secure TWO-WAY communicaton with the public . It seems to me the public haas been left in the dark and there has only been ONE-WAY communication the Authoritys' way! I would like to know exactly how the 15.4 million dollar federal grant (allocated for this plan) was used , $2 million of which was spent on public communication (what communication?!) As of July of 2006 more than $14 million has already been spent . On what ? Definitely not the public.
It seems Governor Spitzer wants this project as much as Congressman Higgins and Mayor Brown. The community wants it too (it's pretty much inevitable) but, we want support in getting it done sensibly. With sh*t-on-Upstate Pataki out of office, I'm optimistic that Spitzer may be a very strong ally toward a decision and legacy we can be proud of.
He's also stated a need for state-wide reform of Public Authorities:
http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/spitzer-antes-up/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/nyregion/16authorities.html?ex=1180152000&en=b930c85c6437d70d&ei=5070
oops, with the links. Here there are again:
http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/spitzer-antes-up/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/nyregion/16authorities.html?ex=1180152000&en=b930c85c6437d70d&ei=5070
Waterfront? Your complaining about waterfront and you allow them to build crappy houses a mere mile south of your "pristine" neighborhood? I'm not a fan of the PBA because I think this should have been done a decade ago. When I lived on the west coast, I could look across the city and see cranes and bulidings going up, progress and prosperity and a city that was expanding with time. Granted, I love Buffalo and all the antiquated nuances that come with it but I also really want it see it grow. Besides, both Whirlpool (which cannot handle ANY kind of heavy truck traffic because of safety) and Lewsiton (they park cars three ot four deep on high traffic days) need new plazas too.
DMD: those "crappy houses a mere mile south" are part of the highly touted Lakeview / "Hope IV" that I vaguely recall as part of the carrot we were presented about 5-6 years ago in context of the Plaza the PBA wanted back then. Count me among those who didn't buy it. This was/is a BMHA project (that "A" is another Authority) — need I say more? It's rather ironic, in fact, that much emphasis was put on not wanting to dismantle THAT community because people had grown up there, connected with their neighbors, etc yet, it's OK to do the same thing to a community that owns and maintains their own homes and gets no vouchers or assistance to do so. This is justice?
Those uprooted residents will leave and many of them will leave Buffalo altogether, another piece of Buffalo's decline. But it really is pretty small compared to the overall exodus. So what's the advantage of this plaza exactly, to have more space for cross-border traffic? Well that makes sense to me. I'm getting sick of being stuck at the Lewiston-Queenston bridge. Actually you BRO types should like it... with the strong Canadian dollar they're looking for ways to go shopping in the Buffalo area. Right now it's so convenient to go to the Boulevard Mall or the Galleria. If the Peace Bridge were easy, they'd be tempted to shop at any future downtown shopping areas, or even better, your beloved Elmwood Village.
Chris69: I must say I love the redirect and underutilize arguements. What your are saying is we'll tell businesses what to do. They don't engage in cost benefits analysis including time spent when they factor transportation costs into their network and logistics analysis. They simply listen to people like you. Is this how they've got to those position. Why is Windsor/Detroit the largest crossing in N. America and why has it divereted so much commercial traffic. Could those numbers be influenced by facility flows.
Your arguement does not include the business cost arguement at all, it is based on emotion. Now this probably excites you and others on the board but it is not practical nor is it beneficial to future economic livlihood of the region.
The arguement people do have right is how does the region benefit since trucks just go through the region, hence the importance of the intermodal yard which stops the flow of international trade. In fact the intermodal yard is largely more important than the bridge arguement since the bridge doesn't stop traffic merely facilitates it.
Protest are great but remember the people on the other side of the arguement employ in great numbers in this area and generate signifcantly to the tax base, so if you all think their arguements are irrelevant, you are sadly mistaken.
i love the idea of vigilante preventive maintenance.
i can see it now: in the dark of night , paintbrushes, lawnmowers, and plywood in hand, a group of rogue community activists strike!
count me in!
The most sensible solution to this problem is to beautify the existing plaza - use the Peace Bridge for cars and pedestrian traffic and build a new truck bridge at the International Railroad bridge. Unfortunately this plan does not have the political support required at the state and federal levels - given the PBA is well connected to the political machine. For the record - much of the decay in the area is a direct result of the Peace Bridge Authority - tkae a look at the houses on Busti across from the current plaza - they are rotting to the ground! They have been owned by the PBA for 10 years. If I owned the houses I would be dragged into housing court and fined or jailed. They don't give a damn about the neighborhood or the city. They are in the transportation business - It's been 10 years since NAFTA - truck traffic is way up - where is the economic benefit to the region?
CarlMalone - you are mistaken regarding the Ambassador Bridge group - thay have already spent miliions of dollars acquiring property on both sides of the International Bridge - all with private investment - unlike the PBA which is using our tax dollars!
carlmalone
Higgins told a group of us that the business community didn't come to him asking for a new bridge or plaza, it is just what he "feels". If the business community didn't put pressure on him, do you really think the need is there?
Remember-the residents aren't against having a new plaza, a better border crossing or a new bridge. We just don't think it should be in this location. Where do you live? How about you give up your house for some political cause. This is about politics and nothing else. This project is the usual political patronage that has crippled Buffalo in the past. You should be fed up with this kind of business as usual in Buffalo. This is not good for Buffalo. It is only good for Buffalo politics. 25 million of cement and access roads and a few strategically placed trees will not help this neighborhood. Go look at Ft. Erie.
Destroying neighborhoods to make it easier for trucks to drive through Buffalo, it makes perfect sense to me. Same thing is happening in North Buffalo, don't put in a bike path, add roads that makes it even easier to suburbanites to get out of the city even faster.
carl malone, who are you kidding....Im not stupid about logistics....the distance between the Peace Bridge, the Whirlpool Bridge and the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge is not going to break a company financially when your talking about interstate and international trade.
First off on the Ambassador Group. You are correct they have spent a good deal of money. Sometimes you have tp spend money to make money. If buying parcels of land on the cheap that they can depreciate on the books and sell at a profit a later time while detracking the bridge process here to maintain traffic flows in Windsor/Detroit. The group is smart, just don't their BS.
Chris69, I'm not trying to insult your intelligence rather point out that the logistics arguement isn't between the bridges here which are geograhpically close, rather to divert to Windsor/Michigan. Businesses rely on predicatability, when you take it away they gravitate toward the more reliable solutiuon (Michigan/Windsor). It just saves money in the long run. The comments regarding Higgins and business community are BS. I hate to shatter the myth but politicians don't do things b/c they feel it is right.
carlmalone
No BS from me! I went to his office and spoke with him.
I only wish I had recorded it!
How about no meetings for three years from the PBA and it comes out in the paper that they have changed this footprint. Why isn't more pressure put on cross border management? Now that the Canadian government is allowing their border agents to carry weapons, it should be easier to agree on this issue.
Congressman Quinn never would have allowed this plan to happen.
So - what if everyone got on board with the Ambassador group? Do you really think they wouldn't build it?
Let the PBA get eminent domain at the International Site. They can take the land from the Ambassador Group.
In a city the size of Buffalo, there is NO reason under the sun to continue to operate the way we have in the past. We cannot and should not continue to justify tearing down our past to create a future. There's a ton of potential development sites. So the larger questions is why do our political leaders still operate this way? mam, PBL, chris69......you nailed it. money talks....period. Wrong is wrong.......the current peace bridge expansion footprint is wrong....for the existing neighborhood, the West Side, the community at large and the city. Don't cave into the PBA spin or the politicians who think they can shove this down our throats. Keep blogging. Send the message that we are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Stop the bullies, the $$$$ food chain and stop the PBA, DOT, Higgins and the Mayor. Say NO to the current footprint.
I bet this all makes you wish your ancestors had moved to a different part of the country ;)
Just what was it the City got when Masiello caved and agreed the city would utilize eminent domain? Masiello should be ashamed, and the city is paying him to lobby on its behalf? WTF!
For the amount of federal money going into this project- it is by no means self-financed by the PBA- there needs to be community consensus on the design of the Plaza. My take- not one house should come down to expedite traffic. Who suggested the double-decker plaza? Good idea. Was that even considered?
What's with the non-stop string of bad decisions coming from the elected officials over the last 50 years? Expressways, casinos, suburban campuses, stubby rail systems, sprawl without growth, patronage filled authorities, squandered opportunities....when do we say "enough?"
Let me say this in my best Chris69 voice: WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS CITY?!?!?
how do we put our collective energy together to get the attention of our leaders? Our neighborhood tied black plastic bags around all of our trees to mourn the loss of our community. our media campaign will continue with more press releases and a sign campaign. Please support our cause by tying black plastic around your trees wherever you work or live. The black ribbons caught the attention of BRO and the Mayor's team. Make an impact by protesting with us.......tie black plastic around your trees. Forever Elmwood, New Milennium, the Conservvancy, Preservation society, colleges, churches, businesses. Start up a black ribbon campaign. Stand with us.......We need to send a unified message.
PBK, you want to get the attention of our leaders....have two people drive across the peace bidge then stop on the bridge pull out the keys to the car and then hold up signs saying dont take our homes!
let me put it this way.....if you stop bridge traffic a couple times...thats going to do a heck of a lot more than tying black garbage bags around trees.
you can pull the same stunt at the entrance ramps and exit ramps to the peace bridge.
heck...there are so many homeless and gangs in the neighborhood....give someone $100 to block the bridge or $100 to block the bridge access ramps.
Dont waste your time on garbage bags when you can get a message on the news and send a message right to the mayor and the PBA.
Wow Chris69!
Will you stand with us?
This is a BIG weekend with Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus holiday.
I have a gas mask I can wear!
chris69...my point is power in numbers although I do appreciate your guerilla tactics.PBL.....do those army fatigues still fit? Oh.....Is RonR, Ron Rienas from the PBA? I don 't recall reading his response to your question.
Take a look at this:
http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/1582/United_States/Texas/El_Paso/Juarez_El_Paso_border_crossing
See where Buffalo is headed!
Take a look at this:
http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/1582/United_States/Texas/El_Paso/Juarez_El_Paso_border_crossing
See where Buffalo is headed!
Chris69- You are damn right- the key is to tip off the news channels that the protest is going to happen for maximum exposure. Money talks- hit the PBA in the pocket book, that's the only thing they listen to.
My hunch is the TV news keeps an eye on BRO and we'll soon see some red jackets interested in the black bows.
comptart_lws your right. Channel 2 where are you? We need a local news station to stand up and report what's going on . This is NOT going to fad away like other news . The campaign to save this beautiful ,vibrant neighborhoood will only get bigger and BIGGER ! This community will NEVER GIVE UP !!!
RonR- Curious to know what the PBA thinks ? Haven't seen a comment from you in a while . You seem to know quite a bit about the PBA plans . Are you Ron Rienas or possibly someone related to him (twin brother maybe)?
It is time for Buffalo to start doing things differently than everyone else. In much the same way that LEET and Environmental concerns have changed design and architectural standards, we should look at all developments from a 2050 lens. Build the city for the future; ironically this means taking from the past. The canals and railways will be revised and evolved to become the primary mode of transportation in the near future. We have heard that water, fuel, and electricity will continue to grow in scarcity, but these are all things that we have in an abundance. Instead of making more efficient ways to transport these from the region, we should focus on how to keep these here are our differentiator. People should move here for fresh water, cheap electricity, and a modern city, instead of expecting us to suffer while we give these away at a discount.
We are like the High School slut who puts out for everyone, she feels loved but no one respects her or cares about her. She is just used and tossed aside, just like us.
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