Buffalo Rising Online

Gee, that was unexpected.

I think its a personal opinion that Times Square lost all of its character and that Vegas lost its edge. From my viewpoint they're arguably 2 of the most popular tourist attractions in the country... so they're doing something right.

Gimmicks attract people. I totally agree that the progress looks good but if our goal is to attract outside money it's going to have to be world class. Face it, some history buffs may drive from Albany to see it but they're the minority. If we want the average family to plan a trip here we're going to have to offer more than authentic foundations and a few stores.

The challenge is to leverage the sites history in order to attract the masses, who probably don't care much about the Canal per se, but are looking for something unique and interesting enough to keep them occupied for a weekend.

It's only marketing, afterall.

I went once and enjoyed the progress and seeing what is happening, tried again over the weekend, Hatch was closed, no vendors, just a big yawn. If the city wants this to work, they better move a little faster. One thing they could do is keep the hatch open now later in the season since it is a short walk from the canal site for a bite to eat and a coffee. Food, shopping, entertainment draws people, a few historic foundations...not so much. Working with developers would not be such as bad thing and now that county, state and federal money will be drying up with a little foresight the city should be looking at private money.

Paul, Vegas and Times Square seem to be doing pretty well don't you think? Odd comparisons to make when arguing against the point of the article...

Let the historical elements speak for themselves (with a little informational help) and let the new elements truly be authentically new, in real materials built for their new purposes. We have the history we do not need to fake it. We do not need theme parks, we need consistently well built and rebuilt urban spaces.

Oh brother, I hope Richard Florida isnt reading Buffalo Rising to gage the level of creativity in our society.

Disneyesque refers to shabby materials and inauthentic designs the mimic in an exaggerated way rather and something utterly unconnected to its surroundings current or historical.

There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of restoration and authenticity.

That being said, if the NFTA extended to the light rail to the airport then their maintenance sheds and offices could move to the Central Terminal. Both the first and 2nd floors of the DL&W could emulate Seattle fish market or San Franciscos specialty foods market.

The Bass Pro Building, as we have been informed will not be disneyesque and will be very close in size to the original Spaulding Market that once stood at the site (the junction from the commercial slip, the erie canal and the Main/Hamberg).

Britain only has (im estimating) 30% of its canals and they rent barges with bedrooms and kitchenettes that people can take boating for the weekend. Imagine a family barge strolling between Buffalo and Rochester. We would be the only place in the US that could do that.

The Netherlands allow their canals to freeze for winter skating and other activities. Their wonderful particularly because the reduced elevation blocks the freezing winter winds if there are any that day. In one of the worlds major markets for Hockey that is not insignificant for our city.

Replicas of LaSalles Griffon, Canal Barges, Schooners and Adm Perrys 1812 Warship that defended the Great Lakes, models of the Americana, Canadiana, Greater Buffalo, City of Buffalo, etc (all to big to rebuild) would be to Buffalo what historical ships in Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and Charleston are for their waterfronts.

Don Esmonde and many others in Buffalo understand its raw potential and the vast richness with which it can tap. Yet the poverty of the city seems to prevent intelligence and creativity from breaking thru regardless of class or education. Being a city of no illusions does not mean a city devoid of intelligence and creativity. In a city that never experienced a boom, Buffalonians grew up with deep matter of fact roots in reality, that the rest of the nation is now acquainting themselves. Buffalo is authentic because we have the history that few other cities in the match and restoration and reconstruction need not be fake or disneyesque if done with quality materials and quality designs.

Disneyesque doesnt have to refer simply to the building materials, I agree stucco and styrofoam would be a huge mistake. I'm thinking more along the lines of interperative elements that are interatctive yet tastefully done. I dont know, build a store that has a working water wheel on the back (if thats historically appropriate?) maybe a replica boat that people can walk onto. A themed gift shop. Heck, even a mule ride would work.

Rather than just a canal with some stores and restaurants the goal should be to create an overall look and feel of what the area was like in its heyday.

Maybe the history of this site really isn't all that compelling to begin with and maybe no amount of signage or interactive display will be able to change that. Maybe the strength of this site is that you have a well kept, safe public space that gives you access to the water with fun and strange objects to encounter (stone walls, waterfall, airplanes, granite memorials), regularly scheduled events, and nice views of the surrounding city. Maybe an adequate amount of attention has already been paid to this site's history and from here on out we focus on what happens from here on out by providing contemporary worthwhile attractions for contemporary people.

I have to laugh at this and only say that I have told you people before how to bring back buffalo not to only where people in the USA will want to come see it but it will be talked about around the world and they will want to come also. Now I only sit back and laugh and watch how this city is beginning destroyed to wear it will never be a place people will want to come back too and see again. I traveled around the world and seen all kinds of cities and talked to all kinds of people and know what they like and want to come see and where they would spend there money. Now I just sit back and get a good laugh from reading this website. No i am not telling you again on how to redo it because i did once and people loved the idea and said it would be great but it cost to much for Buffalo to do and would be to big for a city this size. The way i desigfned it the city would be a 24 hour city 365 days a year and collecting obscene amount of tax money. Good luck Buffalo!!!!!!!!!

i have not been down here since the early 90's. As a kid i remember being intimatly impressed with our lost canal. It seemed impossible for a nerdy stepuncle to impress me on the way to a sabres game. emotions are weird, all you have to do is say something is important, adventually it will come. Look at that bridge "commercial strip". this whole project is just insanity and i hate it because i feel they will miss every opertunity.

more after the game. go sabres!

Colonial Williamburg is more like it. Recreate an experience that transports the visitor back to 1800s Buffalo. Of course there'd have to be a lot of faking (disneyfying) since none of the original buildings remain and the area was once considered the most dangerous in the world (atleast according to the menu at Pearl Street)

Buffalonians will go down regardless because its our waterfront. This project delivers a unanimous sense of pride to our community, but thats alot of money for it just to be feel good. If we want to lure the folks driving by on their way to Clifton Hill we're going to have to offer something worthy enough to compete... and I don't think a Lifestyle Center will accomplish that.

Can they please hurry up and announce their plans!