Buffalo Rising Online

That's right STEEL, but until that time (last update Sept. '06), there are measures that can be taken to improve the building - like maybe one of urbansoul's murals.

further proof that no traffic on main street killed 3 downtown arteries, washington, main and pearl. i certainly hope that the new project on main street will truly revitalize downtown (when complete). it will hopefully unite the east side of main with the more prosperous west side of main. its just a barrier right now right through the heart of downtown.

"Also, aren't these the backs of buildings on a block of Main that is open to cars?"

No, directly in front of the Ballroom is where the train comes above ground. Before that is the police station. The front of the hostel is closed to traffic as well.

texpat, if you take a ride down pearl, then up washington, you see plenty of boarded up buildings, ripe for rehabs, i must say, but that does not change the fact, that washington and pearl streets have struggled since the 80s to stay relevant...yes, you are right that there has been residential interest there, but that is in the last few years, what has been there previously for the last 2 decades??? the back of am&a's, caffe lococo, the market arcade theater isn't exactly packed, matter of fact it is sustained by public funds, just to stay open, the hostel has a boarded up backside, and one wouldn't even know it even existed if it wasn't pointed out by someone who knows it is there...there is the block in front of the holling press building (another dead bldg for decades until someone invested in it)...let's look at pearl st, not even chippewa's entertainment district for all its vibrancy, is able sustain life at the former star bar, or the former macaroni company, two prime locations for a viable restaurant or social venue, a block down, there is the boarded up courtyard mall across from the convention center, since the 80s...the main place mall, do i need to explain that one to you??? the vibe across the street from there are people collecting social services payments...the webb bldg, only recenly rehabbed...i am not sure when the last time you actually took a drive around these streets to see for yourself (well, you can't drive on main street, take a walk), but it is pretty bad when you cannot even drive on your principal street, and the streets behind it has blocks (let me repeat that BLOCKS) that have been abandoned for almost 20 years because there is no life on main street. i agree with you that there has been a rebirth in the last couple of years, which i believe will go into overdrive once traffic is restored and people can actually see how much has been abandoned in the heart of downtown and want to do something about it. i really hope restoring traffic is the key...there is a ton of potential downtown...