Fall In
The following is a comment from RonR regarding the Route 5 post from last evening:
Does anyone know what the options are? There is a trend on BRO to post what is wrong or what the author does not like but a plan of attack is almost always missing. I am all for standing up to the DOT on this one. Does anyone know what can be done to prevent the DOT from ignoring the city like they did tonight?
It's funny that you pose that question RonR because throughout the entire proceeding I was waiting to hear what sort of plan the Common Council had in mind to circumvent this fatal error. The answer was never determined. The hope has always been, that at some point, the cause would be picked up by a progressive political power with some guts. Obviously that political figure has faded into the shadows of 'historical poor decision land'. This past week I can not tell you how many people have expressed their concern over a series of fallen leaders who have, until now, proved to be forward thinking individuals. Now it's the same old thing... no returned phone calls and no clear vision.
Despite the lack of communication and follow through from many of these leaders, one thing is certain, and that is... the Common Council has risen to the challenge. I am in awe of their solidarity and their unique perspectives where this cause is concerned. Councilman Mickey Kearns in particular should be commended for his vocal stance to defend our city from the DOT. The rest of the Councilmembers have shown that they too have what it takes to make this city great. What I saw last evening made me think that we have a handful of leaders who finally get it and who aren't afraid of speaking out for our future. It was awesome to see.
As for RonR's question about what the next step will be? Mickey Kearns has said that he's going to organize the troops to fight this one. He already has an arsenal of community groups behind him and he told me earlier that this is not just for the city... it's for the region. It's not just for us... it's for future generations. Do we want to be known as the generation that dropped the ball again? Or do we want to be known as the generation that took back our waterfront? It looks like this Common Council is the one that we've been waiting for. Stay tuned.
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Comment Options
Frankster
Thank you, Queenseyes, for keeping the spotlight on this issue. I have never seen BRO readers unanimous about anything except for the need to dismantle the skyway. We may relish our BRO comment wars but we all get it on Rt. 5. I am convinced that Higgins, in spite of the leadership he has shown on other issues, is the only person who can turn this around. Please call or write his office today!
http://higgins.house.gov/contactinfo.asp
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Frankster
Oh, and just a thought. If you want some strategy for turning this around, interview Mickey Kearns. He may have some ideas.
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Sexy_Beast
It was only a matter of time before Higgins broke. It's a sad day. One that will go down on his personal record as the worst modern day decision made for the citizens of Buffalo. He even admits that there are better plans out there but not enough money to get them done quick. How is an elevated highway less expensive than a boulevard Mr. Higgins? It's not too late to save face on this issue. Do what's right, not what Spitzer and friends are telling you to do.
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bfloBR
while on the surface i agree that the boulevard plan seems like a better option, i have not seen each of the options and i doubt that many of the posters wo are so adamantly against the raised thoroughfare have seen them either. We can all shoot something down because it smells "Mosesesque" and fall in love with a different option for smelling "Olmstedian", but without knowing the specifics, its impossible to make an [b]informed[/b] opinion.
Could someone post where one can find these? Thanks.
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Buffalopundit
Brian the boy wonder may have the ability to block federal funding (whatever there may be) for this project, but the DOT is not some independent entity - it's a state agency. Opponents of this plan should be contacting the local delegation in Albany, and also talking with Spitzer's WNY representative, Laura Monte, about this plan.
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Joshua
bfloBR - the HTML for bold is " text " The skyway must come down.
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Jay
BfloBR,
https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/regional-offices/region5/projects/southtowns-connector/southtowns-connector copy and paste, EIS is under "project documents"
http://www.cnu.org/node/1458 smart mobility's plan highlighting the of the boulevard alternative as the best for the waterfront
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MRodgers
need petition now, need to use the lawsuit plan now, let's do it, someone has the resources out there
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Geomike
The only way to stop the DOT from another SNAFU they don't have to live with is to cut off the cash because the DOT doesn't really want community input - they want what they have designed to fit the road layout they see today. NYS is not about progressive municipal or infrastructure planning it's about the status quo S.O.S. T BuffaloPundit's point - we need to barrage our local delegation - BOTH PARTIES whenther you like the other one or not - and let them know how bad an idea this is, how it will cost the state more money in the future and tell them how they can save money and get re-elected if they listen to the people who "pay their salary. " I HATE using that line regarding municipal employees - people usually throw it in the face of teachers, not caring how it stings - BUT the NYS legislature is a slowly rolling pork barrel moving from one election trough to the next. If they think they can ensure they make the enxt one or get a better "approval" rating they might listen and might act.
Find your NYS representative here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/
Contact Spitzer here: http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html
Schumer: http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/contact.html
Clinton (she is running for Preisdent, and might need some voites..... even if it could be lip-service): http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/
Find your house Rep here: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
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UrbanBody
With all due respect to MRodgers, I think a petition is too little, too late. While the DOT may seek bids this week, a legal challenge should be filed to indefinitely block actual work until more leverage is put up against the DOT. The City's Legal Dept. should be putting up a roadblock---today.
Hey, and where are the no-holds-barred obstructionists when we really need them? Tielmann, Lippes: Where is the legal challenge for this fiasco?
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Buffalopundit
In order to file a lawsuit to block this plan, you need to show that there is an imminent threat of irreversible harm, and you need a valid cause of action. The Peace Bridge was blocked due to a lack of an environmental impact study. The lawsuit to block the Gates Circle condos is based on the rights of those in adjacent buildings who would supposedly be harmed by the construction of that new tower.
So, the first thing you need to do is establish that the DOT is acting in an illegal manner, and force it to go back and remedy its illegal act or omission.
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chris69
thank you Jay for posting it....
To queensyes and RonR, how could you possibly ask if anyone knows about the Boulevard alternative when it is clearly posted on the DOT website as an alternative and has been on their website for almost 10 years....the 10 years they have been waiting for funding.
The problem isnt just with Albany control over regional projects thru appointments or state agencies but also Buffalonians waiting until the very last minute to make up their mind and get involved. On the positive side, Buffalo has had a very blue collar union mentality of not getting involved with government planning....glad to see its changing but 11th hour protests arent the most effective. Buffalonians need to make their voices heard at the beginning or middle of planned projects....not the end.
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MRodgers
from Buffalopundit: "In order to file a lawsuit to block this plan, you need to show that there is an imminent threat of irreversible harm, and you need a valid cause of action."
from Urbanbody: "The City's Legal Dept. should be putting up a roadblock---today."
I think there is enough for the Corporation Counsel to put something together--today, especially since the current plans can negatively affect the growth and opportunity for the region. Anybody out there from the city's legal department? Can you hear this?
Do we need to flood City Hall with calls for this type of action?
Mickey, I know you have to be reading this. Is this action taking place today in the hallowed halls of city government? You're the leader on this one, as you have been on many other issues. Say the word and get us going!
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RonR
Hat Tip - Pundit
The key, from what I see after reading Pundits comment, is finding something that the DOT acted illegally on. With all of their arrogance, there must be something they looked over. I hope with such a short time to get this moving someone has the fracture that just needs a little pressure to break.
Maybe there is something that can be done by the city or the NFTA to block the use of the additional outer harbor land for the project? The DOT play calls for additional land outside of what the current skyway uses. Is there a way the city to block the use of this land by the DOT forcing the project to stall. Hell, if the DOT is forced to use the land they already have on easement, then the only two choices would be to repair the skyway or replace it. Nothing else will fit. Someone with more knowledge please let me know if I am way out of bounds.
I do not have the numbers in my rolodex but the one position that I have never read is that of the developers. Not just local but national developers. One key component to this debate is if the plan from the DOT, while meeting their objective, might prevent development on the outer harbor based on the plan. If the DOT's plan prevents Buffalo from using one of it's assets to is fullest, would this be something to make a claim?
In regards to a petition, I think that would help. Heck, the gates petition got 2k signatures in a very short period of time. I think if the petition is directed at the regions "representation" in Albany, it might carry some weight. Higgins and our folks in Albany are up for reelection soon and we just watched Erie County vote in change and against the party. I think a petition would ring loud and clear.
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WilliamZabkaAllStars
Have only started following this story recently, so pardon my ignorance if this is a dumb question:
I understand the DOT wants to maintain Route 5 as an elevated highway separate from a re-tooled, more boulevard-like Furhman Blvd.
Is the alternative people are proposing to make Route 5 an at-grade boulevard next to an at-grade Furhman, or to combine the two?
Additionally, no matter which proposal wins out in the end, what's the point of having two streets parallel to one another, whether one is elevated or not? Shouldn't we be pushing for a unified Outer Harbor street system that doesn't waste space on several roadways?
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PBK
It's a new day in City government. The Buffalo Common Council no longer is shackled by partisan politics or blind allegiance to the Mayor. I was full of pride sitting in the CC chamber last night. Council Members Kearns, LoCurto, Bonifacio, Golombek and Franczyk, thank you for taking a stand, for seeing the truth and for having the courage to say, No more bad planning being shoved down our throats. Buffalo deserves better. The region deserves better.Thanks to all of the members of the Common Council and to every group that has worked so hard and so long to bring a better plan to this community. About 40 people attended last night's session but if you weren't one of them, you missed out on a cosmic experience. Each speaker demonstrated just how much citizens of this community are willing to invest to keep the ship afloat until our captain returns to the helm. Hopefully, good leadership is temporarily missing in action but not AWOL.
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kahawa
William Zabka, the Boulevard Plan would have only one right of way - a six-lane bouelvard in place of both redundant roadways.
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DynaBrand
Its the same ol' sh--. If the city don't get ya, the state will. You would think that these plans had been around long enough to have plled all the players together before it got messed up. Tell them to talk to the WRG peole, they seem to know how to work with each other and govt. Mybe they can pull the stirngs togehter.
I'm all for a lawsuit god knows there's been enough lame ones out there at least this one makes sense. I'm really surprised by the council getting so invilved, good for them and thanks
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UrbanBody
On Paul Wolf's (city Chief of Staff to Common Council) 'Buffalo Ideas' blog, there is a story/link to his intern Jason Cozza's 'Why Not Buffalo' blog that contains a petition against the DOT Southtown Connector plan.
See: http://whynotbuffalo.blogspot.com/
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