Buffalo Rising Online

Great publicity, now if we could just get some signs that point people towards these attractions, and maybe some information for tourists who visit them.

Imagine someone coming from NYC to visit the Richardson complex, what would they think after viewing the overgrown tangles of weeds and bushes from behind a 7' steel fence? What would they think when the police quickly ushered them off the grounds?

Imagine someone driving from the Buffalo Airport to the Darwin Martin House, how would they find it? (If you look it up on Google, you are sent to 617 Main Street) Given the correct address or driving directions, there are no signs along the 198 or 33 that point out which way to go. There are no signs near Delaware Park identifying local attractions (beyond the Zoo).

We are not a tourist friendly city.

it would be nice to see an article about the growing economy, influx of people and shrinking taxes in the news about Buffalo for a change.

After reading the article please consider using the NYT "E-mail this article" feature to send it to someone else - or even yourself. The NYT features a list of the most forwarded articles and if this one can rise toward the top of the list it will doubtless generate more readers/exposure. The current #2 article is a travel article about Ithaca, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Im not suprised that the natural evolution of thought was to get the current convention center out of downtown's core and build a shiny new 450k sqft convention and conference center and of course hotel and parking garage.

Buffalo is doing many things correctly and many things terribly but very few things satisfactorily. For instance the master plan for the Olmsted Parks restoration and the reconstruction of the Grotto and Calvert Veaux structures are right on the money.

Missing are the potential reconstruction of Pan Am Fountains, Band Shells and Gateway Entrances which would be unique and momentus.

Buffalo is correctly restoring the Martin Complex, Roycroft and the Larkin Warehouses (even the FLW gas station and the FLW Boathouse and FLW Davidson House) but NOTICE HOW THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING REMAINS AT THE TOP OF THE ATTENTION. The Larkin Administration Building should be reconstruction.

Buffalo is correctly reconstructing the Spaulding Mercantile for Bass Pro and the intersection of the Commercial Slip, Erie Canal and Main/Hamburg. However missing from the reconstruction are canal barges, freight schooners, LaSalles Griffon and Adm Perry's 1812 Warship telling the story of the burning of Buffalo!

Buffalo sadly has its only remaining historical district between Niagara & Main Street (possibly Niagara & Michigan) excluding the potmarked infill downtown. It is a city that still struggles with neglect and demolition at all levels. The city of Buffalo is 60% empty. Connecting downtown to rail at the Central Terminal and the Airport would be huge...yet...there is no start date.

The Richardson moves forward at a glacial pace even though the surrounding community desperately needs it completed. BECHs, Conference Centers & Presidential Libraries and Offices could make immediate re-use of Richardson space. Yet the pace is glacial. Its huge and grand size and scale bring down the entire surrounding community...Buffalo State could move non-core services like Booktores to Grant Street or expand entrepreneurial incubators and dormatories but doesnt. The result is the continued decay along Forest, Grant, Tonawnda & Amhrest.

The Science Museum needs a restoration of its main entrance facade...yet nothing.

The city pothole ridden streets, curbs, sidewalks, treeless streets, industrial urban lighting and litter say alot about the condition of the city and do alot to retard investment and jobs.

Buffalo continues to spend its money on Albany dictates, unions, patronage and insider business deals rather than those that would bring business, jobs and industry to our city.

Im glad that Buffalo is getting its recognition but as with all lights...it also shines upon our ignorance and failures.

There is one thing I will bring to the attention of all fellow Buffalo Rising readers. The financial collapse in NYC is rapidly turning the eyes of NYC (&BOSTON) to TORONTO and that is going to force a rethink of Buffalo! BUFFALO IS THE GATEWAY TO TORONTO!

Tom - Thanks for taking the initiative, but I think you missed the bigger picture. We have elected leaders, a paid Convention and Visitors Bureau, State Leaders, For Profit and Not-for-Profit organizations, that are doing very little to actively promote tourism in Buffalo. They are missing out on the basics, like maps and signage, correct information on the internet, and up to date web pages. These are the things that we should take for granted, instead we get excited when one of these entities actually does something the right way.

Step One is to have these organizations take an active roll in promoting themselves within the region. When was the last time you saw a mention of the Darwin Martin House on the "something to do this weekend" section of the paper or on one of the local news channels? Why do we take it for granted that everyone in the region is aware of these attractions?

So not to criticize, but I whole heartedly disagree with you. It is the responsibilty of the Companies, Government, and local agencies to promote tourism, both within the region and to those from outside the region.

Is this on the agenda of our County Executive, Mayor, or Common Council? Is intraregional tourism part of the CVB agenda? From what I have seen, they are falling seriously short on all aspects of promoting tourism. So don't blame the citizens, go right to the root of the problem.

TomServo0 is right on many levels. We must all be part of the process. In fact it seems that it is ordinary citizens who are accomplishing much of what is getting accomplished, particularly when it comes to Preservation.

Here's a minor example, but since Buffalo21stcentury brings it up.... Potholes. The City is honoring its commitment to repair potholes within 24-hours of notification. So when you see a pothole get out your cell phone and call it in to 851-4890. If you don't, and the pot hole is still there next time you drive down the street, then it's on you.

What the people mentioned in the article - and countless others - have done is take the initiative. They're making a difference.

By the way - this article is now #16 on the Time's most e-mailed list.

Tom - Get off your high horse already, there are hundreds of people (like me) who have spent countless hours (like me) working on the Darwin Martin project, and countless other volunteer activities in Buffalo. The bottom line is that these people are working more than the government and some of the agencies to promote tourism, we need the people who are in charge of these entities, we need the government leaders that we elect, and we need the worthless CVB to become more engaged in this process.

I would say that the Martin House is an exception, but they still don't do enough. The issue with Google is one example, the board runs the restoration, they should ensure that the website and searches are correct. They should also work to establish better signs and maps (back to the original point) either by bringing their cause to their local leaders or by doing it themselves.

We have accepted so much mediocrity in this area.

TomServO- Your advice is right on, Here in Black Rock we learned a long time ago to take the initiative and usually others (including government) will follow. Democracy is in the streets and requires the effort of citizens to affect real change.

Let me say this publicly so everyone hears it.

The county hotel bed tax is supposed to take care of tourism. Its not that Buffalo spends less than say Detroit, Cleveland or Pittsburgh...cities it likes to compare itself BUT BUFFALO SPENDS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS (LIKE 50%) OF WHAT ROCHESTER AND SYRACUSE SPEND! NO THAT IS NOTHING LESS THAN PISS!

So where does the county hotel bed tax go? It goes into a general fund where it mysteriously vanishes into a myriad of county programs and albany mandates.

They county refuses to take this off-budget and devote it exclusively to tourism promotion for everything within Erie County. Infact the Bed Tax should be collected for Niagara County and everything tourist related marketed together.

So blame Collins & Giambra and past administrations! If albany has unfunded mandates or if the county has union or patronage issues then tourism should not be held hostage via the bed tax!

Nuff Sed!

who cares, there are still no jobs, and we still have the highest taxes and gas in the coun try...SO WHAT!

Because there is more to life.