Buffalo Rising Online

I am very surprised that Mark does not think that The Allendale is a greta contributer to Allentown. Just the uniquwness of having a live performance space in a dense urban neighborhood like this is a major asset. It is this kind diversity of use that builds stong neighborhoods.

No question its an asset. No question is contributes mightily to the neighborhood. No questions either about quality of their work. What I am saying,however, is that we all need to work together to better integrate the theatre into the woof and warp of the neighborhood. This will be on the agenda for the Allentown Idea Center.

Thank you for the insightful response! It appears as though we're stuck in a chicken-egg situation as far as retail:

*There's considerable buying power in the Allentown/Elmwood/Delaware neighborhoods, but not enough to attract more and larger retailers.

*Elmwood and Allen draw shoppers from throughout the region but there aren't enough stores to be a destination retail location

*Increasing the number of potential shoppers through infill development (and more density) would destroy the urban fabric and charm of the neighborhood and strip

*The small building sizes aren't conducive to larger retailers (not only chain stores).

Not that I want Elmwood to become NF Blvd. The small boutique scene is charming, there's just a sense that it could be more dynamic. Hopefully as the northern Theater District fills in with residents, we'll see some retailing spin-off along Main, Elmwood and Allentown.

Chris, an excellent brief interview! Goldman is the man when it comes to insight on the revitalization of these neighborhoods.

I agree that the whole problem of unsuccessful neighborhood retail in Buffalo is a chicken and egg issue.

However, I will have to disagree that Increasing the number of potential shoppers through infill development (and more density) would destroy the urban fabric and charm of the neighborhood and strip. More density puts more people on the streets and leads toward more business opportunities. Elmwood has its great charm, but it's too damn sleepy and unpopulated at times to lend itself toward successful retail opportunities. You ever notice the insanely high turnover of businesses on the strip. Infill of taller (4 story instead of 2), higher density buildings will add more life and character to the street. Taller buildings will create a tighter streetwall, especially placed over what are now parking lots and other poor land uses.

Much of the retail problem on Elmwood and Allen is due to the lack of functional businesses vs. an abundance of luxury/lifestyle businesses. For things like groceries and other daily necessities, most Buffalonians with choice use their cars to accomplish these tasks and patronize car-friendly business establishments (ones on ugly streets that use suburban designs with a parking lot in front).

On Allen, the lack of pedestrians during most times of the day makes it tough for any business to survive that is not cafe or bar, or restaurant. In the time I spent down there, I hardly ever walked more than a block or two down Allen if going out to a bar wasn't involved. On any given Friday/Saturday night at 1am, the street is clogged with suburban kids drinking at the bars. On weekday at 4pm, maybe a few people now and then will walk by.

As alluded to above, car culture is real endemic in Buffalois struggle to regain the feel of a real urban city. I have friends who would drive from their apartment to an Elmwood bar only 7 blocks awayowhat for me would be a refreshing 10 minute walk, no matter how ostensibly iunbearablei the weather is. It will take a few swift kicks in the ass. I would love to see someone with the cohones to open a small supermarket on Allen st. that lacks off-street parking. The Allentown association should be encouraging business that cater to actual residents of the neighborhood, not just suburban kids looking for an urban adventure at 2am. I think once residents get places they can *gasp* walk to for ordinary goods, they will take advantage of this and realize cars arenit needs to do every little thing non-recreational.

However, Buffalo car-dependence will not be fully broken until Downtown once again becomes a prime destination for retail and regional employment.

Nothing generates pedestrain traffic, day and night, better than the arts and the artists who make art.. Watch for and support Allentown's "Infringement Festival," which did and will bring vitality to the streets of this neighborhood. It's all art, theatre and performance by artists most all of whom live and work in Allentown.