I'd love it if all the canals shown in the model were able to be navigated by boats and not just interpretations/reflecting pools. But even if they are only interpretations, It's still an awesome project for the city and I hope this one actually goes forward. Is there any talk about extending the light rail system to the casino to try get some of those people to the canal district? It would be a great way to tie together two attractions.
were we talking about ice skating before? how strapping on the skates on the canal before a sabres game?
I like the new plan and I say full speed ahead.
The only concern I have is the skyway. If this gets built before the skyway comes down, CAN the skyway come down. I am not sure of how something like they skyway would come down if it did. Does anyone have information.
The second thing I am curious about is the waterfront land created by extending the canal. While it will offer a "waterfront" location, a lot of these parcels will also be under the skyway. I do not know how safe and or enjoyable it would be to eat lunch under a major overpass. The worst thing that could happen is the newly watered section of the canal becomes undesirable to businesses because of the conflict with the skyway.
I really think it is going to come down. For the last 50 years, the pro's of keeping it up have always outweighed the con's of taking it down. It has always been a battle about what exists and what could exist. With this project underway, there is a real and costly reason for it to come down.
Great plan so far with amazing potential to reinvent not just the waterfront but all of Buffalo Niagara. Although the devil is always in the details and no details have been provided to us yet. Although I understand this is just framework to start with.
My main concern is why is Benderson the master developer for this project? What national search RFP/bidding process occured that they won such preferred status? As far as I know - none!
What significant experience does benderson have with waterfront development and/or historic development? Is there not dozens of firms nationally and internationally with greater qualifications and portfolios? Shouldn't these other firms have at least been afforded the opportunity to give their input?
That being said, I do believe this project to have immense potential and should continue uninterrupted so long as other firms are considered for this project. Benderson is welcome to contribute but they should not have a monopoly for development. This community is notorius for under the table, closed door deals. Lets not keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
I know. Why one developer for a neighborhood? They should be by parcel(s) or block(s) that are given out after an initial plan is submitted for the property.
Create some compition and give us some variety of ideas.
Sounds like this could work. Other than that whole skyway thing. I actually wandered around this site outside the fence about a month ago and i stopped to look up at that miserable skyway. I noticed a sign on it that read: "Watch For Falling Debris" How the hell do we expect people to come to our town and spend money in these business if they have to worry about crap falling from the sky on them? Hmm...
almost reminds me of new orleans with their light rail that runs along the water if it did get extended. Very nice and I totally agree that third time is the charm. I do wonder about exactly how the canals will be "interpreted" that is such a vague word that you can interpret something in any number of ways. Someone might put blue painted asphalt and say.. well it is interpreted.. now come and park on it. I really don't think that will happen but it isn't ruled out from being value engineered to something that isn't nice.
All the canals really need to be connected and allowed to bring fresh water into them, this would help in maintenance and aesthetic, the more that could be opened up to boats the better, but if not all, that is fine, maybe we just limit were boats can go by the height of the bridges. The idea of reflecting pools there to interpret canals seems foolhardy and really doesn't create waterfront access.
Have to agree about the canals being more then interpretive. Here in Annapolis there is an inlet that comes right into the foot of Main Street. It has transient docking on both sides with one side allowing for overnight stays. The other side there is a Marriott with a Pussers Rum bar/restaurant where you are also allowed to tie up. The inlet is referred to as "Ego Alley" because it is a great place for people to show off their boats. It is deep and wide enough for almost any boat to navigate. This is also where all the tour boats and water taxis launch and the first two weeks of October are two huge boat shows in the water. As I recall Indianapolis has a man-made canal that is interpretive and not functional.
Another plan, another model....After work I am going down there with a shovel and a hammer and I am going to dig a canal and build a bass pro store with my bare hands. I bet I finish before the developer...
The skyway must come down.
I love the plan. This plan along with the new casino plan is exciting.
GET IT DONE!
I'm pretty sure they'd be functional canals, but the model makes them look like they're just pools.
Functional canals would be great - I'll take my kayak up into them.
Ever been to San Antonio? Reminds be a bit of the Riverwalk - great place to sit out on a patio and eat dinner (minus the crumbling Skyway above).
I think they finally got it right. This plan is such a huge improvement over plan #2, which was so frustrating once it came out. There's no reason why each of the canals should not be functional - creating an area more akin to San Antonio's Riverwalk is a lot better than creating something like Indy's fake canal type think. This type of design plan is exactly what should have been presented the first time around - a creative reuse of the Aud parcel, creation of new watered areas (water = people) and areas for public gatherings, parks, retail and restaraunts. It's almost like a real waterfront...haha
So is this the FINAL Plan? Or are more coming? when will this end and the building actually START?
I dont like what they are planning for the outer harbor....townhomes.....thats stupid!
I think now is the time to get rid of the skyway access ramp at Seneca and Pearl as well as the skyway extension above terrace to elmwood and delaware. Loose it!!!!
I didnt like that previous incarnations but this is a good enough iteration that I think everyone can say is a good investment for the taxpayer and the community.
Love that its located on the former Spaulding Market, love the additional extensions all the way to Washington Street....love the extension of the canal wharf district into downtown and the extension of the wharf district from Erie Street to Michigan Street, love the museum and the aquarium, etc.
Just a thought..Does anyone know what will become of the portrait of famed Col. William 'Wild Bill' Donavan now in the Donavan State Building.He was a graduate of St. Joes High School.It might be nice if the portrait wouild end up at his old school.
Maybe they could free up a little space at north west corner of the BassPro plot and put our Liberty Pole back. Prior to the shift of the center of the city to the circle in front of City hall, that was the center of Buffalo.
If all of this really happens as planned, downtown is going to be attractive. I do agree that water will attract businesses.
One thing that I contacted City Hall about is saving parts of the Aud. I would really really like to see the BUFFALO MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM stone work and the STATE/CITY CREST on the Lower Terrace Side kept and put some where on site, just like what was done at the New Era store with the Eagle from the Fed. Reserve bldg. This will bring in something new with showcasing the past.
Are there any other models that are viewable online?
chris69...What aquarium are you talking about? Did I miss something in the News article?
The Niagara Falls Aquarium, which is useless in Niagara Falls should build and expand in Buffalo. I think I was there only once, but it would get more people if it were on the waterfront, possibly on the outer harbor.....
a real nice short video on the project
http://artvoice.com/multimedia/meet_the_new_bass_pro_plan/video
Just a thought..the front facade of the soon to be gone Aud. is credited to famed architect E.B. Green..could that portion of the Aud be saved and safely stored for future display in a park like setting...
Opps....the Auditorium was designed in 1939 and built in 1940 for the city of Buffalo.The architect was the WPA.The building was expanded 1930-1940.
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