Everyone wants downtown to thrive. Everyone wishes UB wasn't where it is. But that doesn't mean that UB should move downtown. It seems like people here advocate the kitchen sink strategy (to steel a line from Obama). I don't think the solution is to throw a bunch of stuff and see what sticks. We need better planning, not quick reactions like this.

I don't think it's a given that the university would benefit. It's hard to imagine moving the law school into an undesirable (their view- not mine) city would improve its rank. And the whole concept of a university is collaboration between departments. I work in the medical school and we have been working on a project with the humanities. It's definitely been hampered by everyone not working in the same place.

Great point Sleep -

Considering how popular the law is in Buffalo, and the number of lawyers/firms/courts downtown, why not have a state of the art law school in the city.

Not only will it attract high-calliber intellectuals to the core, but the retention of keeping these lawyers/professors downtown is much greater.

I have many friends that have gone to UB law, and can't wait to leave town after graduation. They live out on that depressing campus and hate it.

Get them internships and interacting with the Bufffalo court system and community...they will stay and be prosperous.

Another law school article? I agree, O'Brian is kind of drab and dark, like most of the North Campus. I agree with those who want to put the law school downtown. Not only is that where all the courts are, but it's also where most of the crime is committed. Also, I hear they are building a parole office near some of those trendy downtown lofts, so the students can scout out potential clients more readily. They won't even have to use their cars, helping the environment. And if they wish to see these future clients in jail, well the suburbs refuse to accept their share of the criminal population, being the stuck up snobs they are. If they aren't in Attica or someplace, they are downtown. Of course they should put the law school downtown.

When the New Court House is finished, how about creating space in the former Court Building for the Law School?

I took classes in O'Brien and studied in the Library. I never once thought the building was "hideous" or flawed. It is completely functional and has served its purpose for 30 years. If UB Law is outgrowing it now it is not the fault of the architect. It will provide quality classroom/study space for students once UB moves the Law School to a new down town facility which I believe will happen before 2020. I am sick of all the "brilliant heinsight" posted on this site. If you have a constructive vision for the future and can contribute something positive then you can be a part of improving Buffalo's future. Otherwise you are nothing more than a miserable Monday morning quarterback.

Such a positive article about one of the greatest assets to Western New York. This sounds like a perpetuation of the Buffalo vs. Suburbs mentality. I honestly expect better of Buffalo Rising, I guess regionalism only applies when it benefits the City.

Move it downtown...could this article have anything to do with the little blurb on buffalonews.com regarding a survey of law students of which 73 percent favor a law school downtown...it makes all the sense in the world!

jdfan,

Exactly which part of the story do you take exception to?

JDFAN,

Here is the campus plan. You can see the little trees and the speck sized people. Notice the massive honeycomb of buildings toward the bottom of the model image. They were seriously planning on carrying out that crazy plan. 2 or three of those modules were actually built with plans to build 20 or so more of them. It makes great sculpture but imaging working in one of those center pods every day

If you want further proof of the type of planning that was in vogue in the 70's try to find a vintage book called "The New Downtowns. I reference it here http://www.buffalorising.com/story/undoing_urban_renewal and also herehttp://www.buffalorising.com/story/tearing_down_the_future. Both of these stories deal with urban design issues similar to planning concepts used at UB North. The book is filled with concepts for downtowns that were aimed at making them less chaotic and more controlled , and more predictable. It is not something I made up. We do the same thing today except now we try to make the buildings look old fashioned instead of like space ports.

AS for Obrian Hall. On what grounds do you defend this one. The entries are hidden in dark crevices. The building has no sense of hierarchy at the exterior. Even the interior entry offers no welcoming gesture. The majority of the building base is a brutish solid mass which pretty much says you are not welcome here. It offers no life to its surroundings. The surrounding landscape is equally uninspired and unfriendly. The monotonous dark brown skin is barely relieved by puny little windows. If there is anything you do not want in Buffalo in winter it is darkness of this type. You will not find this one on any lists of Harry Weese's great accomplishments. I can guaranty you of that. Sure it is my opinion and it is also the opinion of many many others.

Perhaps you can let us know what you find so pleasant about the Amherst Campus and OBrian Hall. I believe you will be in a very small minority of campus boosters

We should remember that the ranking that is being talked about is by a magazine based on interviews. It is not an official ranking and is supposedly not a scientifically based study and ranking.

Wiz you have got that right. If they had built this campus on the waterfront the affect would have been basically the same from a human environment standpoint. The benefit would have been to concentrate local resources instead of spreading them out.

"why did opinions change so drastically" who knows. maybe people don't like to drive on highways for miles, to idle in a parking for 15 minutes waiting for a spot to open just to go to class. Maybe students and the new generation are not as fearful of cities and those in the past. Maybe they care more about the character of the landscape they need to spend hours and years in then years past.

There could be a million reasons but from my interactions with students (some law, most not) north campus isn't considered a 'nice' place and most are just bidding time to leave. I am sure that 'fact' might play a role in student options of the academic schools on north.

Gaustad-

Just curious if the law students that you know and can't wait to get out of Buffalo are WNY'ers or transplants?

Most of the Law Students I know are looking to stay in Buffalo, and they're all transplants (NJ, Syracuse, New England, etc.) The few I know of that really didn't like Buffalo transferred out after 1L, or got offers elsewhere.

However, they all hate that campus from what I've heard.

According to US News.com UB has a 400 million dollar endowment

parking 'lot'

...edit function please...

Great point Sleep -

Considering how popular the law is in Buffalo, and the number of lawyers/firms/courts downtown, why not have a state of the art law school in the city.

Not only will it attract high-calliber intellectuals to the core, but the retention of keeping these lawyers/professors downtown is much greater.

I have many friends that have gone to UB law, and can't wait to leave town after graduation. They live out on that depressing campus and hate it.

Get them internships and interacting with the Bufffalo court system and community...they will stay and be prosperous.