Citizen Action Part 2
Ever since we ran this response (letter to the editor) on citizen action, I've received emails from even more people who want to get involved with Buffalo. A couple days ago Lauren Johnson sent an email asking how she could make a difference. We then decided to meet and discuss the opportunities for her (and others) to get involved. Right off the bat, Lauren told me that when she first came to Buffalo she walked out of her hotel (on a weekend) only to discover that Main Street wasn't really like any other Main Street that she had ever visited.
When Lauren decided to stay in Buffalo, she also decided that she wanted to get involved with projects. But where to start, and what would make an impact? It was when she saw the call for action on BRO that she decided that maybe there were steps to take that would make neighborhoods (like downtown Main Street) better places to be. Where are the missing trees, why are the fountains turned off over the weekend, where should the bike racks go... what are the assets and what are the detractors?
Lauren and I decided that it might be fun to take a walk down Main Street to see what sort of actions could be taken to make it a better place to be (especially during the weekend). We also thought that it might be fun to ask others to join us... from Lauren:
If you’re on this site, reading this post, you likely have something invested in the success of Buffalo. I’ve lived downtown for just over a year, and until now all I’ve done is attend a few one-day events and complain about all the things that should be changed. If you’re like me, then next Saturday is your opportunity to make an impression on Buffalo.
Specifics:
What: A walk down Main Street to identify small projects with large impacts
When: Saturday, September 13, 10:00 AM (Rain Date: Sunday at 10)
Where: Meet at the Buffalo Rising offices, 26 Mississippi Street
How to sign up: Send your name and e-mail address to laurenejohnston@gmail.com
The purpose of this walk is to get people together who have the ability, desire and will to make Buffalo a more appealing place to live. After the walk, we will meet to identify the projects we want to tackle. There will be follow-up meetings to keep projects on track. Attendance on the walk won’t force you into a standing commitment. Put the time in when you have the time to spare. This group will not limit its scope to any one neighborhood or issue, but will focus on small projects that will have a noticeable impact.
Please send me your name and e-mail address if you’re interested in attending the walk or future meetings.
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Comment Options
KenS
At the top of your list should be to include a member of the NFTA on the walk and have them explain why the above ground metro stations are not being maintained. Peeling paint, rusting metal, etc....
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platt4
Anyone from Buffalo Place attending???
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sbrof
They are not being maintained because they are all about the be torn out as a part of the main street reconstruction. Be thankful they are not putting money into them right now.
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KenS
sbrof...how long is it supposed to be before the entire length of Main(where the above ground Metro rides) is ripped up? There is no painting/minor maintenance that could be done in the interim?
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Joshua
KenS - good point. I'm think there will be a number of years before the entire stretch of Main St is reconfigured. I'd go out and paint, but not for free!
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bhorvath
this path forward is endorsed 100% by this negative creep...not that that matters
this is the kind of thing BRO should organize continuously, enough about the good stuff of buffalo,
think ahead - who gets the list you create, who are your allies in city hall or rath building...focus on what can be done
good post
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buffaloweiner
You want the biggest boom for Main Street....ok here it is...
Connect the Light Rail to the Airport
Connect the Light Rail to UB
Give the 6 million visitors coming through our airport the alternative to stay downtown and patronize downtown businesses.
Give the near UB Amherst (not to mention those branch offices for downtown banks) population a chance to patronize downtown
Give Buffalo the half billion dollars in federal funds to build it stimulate our economy, then you will see downtown become a central hub again instead of just another location.
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GDC
Tear everything down and just Start all Over. Time for a New Main Street.
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gaustad
Can someone tell me when traffic is suppose to return to Main St.?
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wizardofza
I think my bike made this picture lol
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300miles
Joshua - Why not for free? If it's a big concern to you, why not give some time to your city... instead of just complaining and waiting for someone else to do it?
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sbrof
gausted, it has already started on the 700 Block. I assume the rest of main is some sort of phasing is going to move forward starting next spring because this construction cycle is quickly coming to a close.
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Joshua
300miles, would you like to help me???? I don't necessarily care if someone else does it, I just do too many things for free.
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KenS
300miles...Do you thing the NFTA and/or its workers would have a problem with you volunteering to maintain their metro stations instead of them getting paid OT to do it? What about liability issues?
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GDF81
(not to sound all corny and gay) We should all make the attempt to do this walk, for a few reasons but mainly to get a real perspective of what is going on main street , see it with others and discuss. I am really curious to see how many people from the various departments of the city show up (one person would be nice).
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sonyactivision
Begin with unique and whimsical street furniture. Have artists and artisans create meaningful or just fun stuff that's durable and tells Buffalo's story for Main. The vacant windows would be tougher but if businesses would allow it, install led displays and lighting that both pronounce Main as Buffalo's commercial thoroughfare and to soften the harsh tone of all those empty windows. Basic ammenities such as clean bathrooms and more and better kiosks to promote city events can add to this mix. But the elephant in the room is the AM&A building. The city needs to zero in on this baby and get the backing to return it to service as a people magnet.
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Hops
I will absolutely be there. I'm new to the area and thought I'd check out downtown this afternoon. If anyone was on Main Street today at around 2pm (probably not), you would have seen me walking and shaking my head in disbelief that NOTHING was open. I walked the whole length, too, from the theatre district down to HSBC Arena and I saw maybe a dozen people. I had no idea it was such a ghost town. A dozen people in a city center on a crisp, Saturday afternoon is not ok. We can do better than this.
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Einstein
Hops - Main Street is no longer the City Center of Buffalo, it hasn't been for over 30 years.
For action you might want to check out Elmwood Avenue or Hertel Avenue. You will also find the Main Streets of East Aurora, WIlliamsville, and Snyder busy on a Saturday afternoon.
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Hops
Einstein: Yeah thanks, I like Elmwood & Hertel both, but I was hoping for at least SOME action on downtown Main. What a disappointment.
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