Buffalo Rising Online

What I do not understand is this bridge proposal/study have been going on for nearly 20 years now, yet all of a sudden everyone is on this bandwagon to stop it in order to save this area, [most of which is actually pretty non discript]. Where was everyone 10 years ago, even 5 years ago? BRO has only taken into account the few residents that are fighting this battle, has anyone bothered to interview the other homeowners that are waiting to sell, those that have moved on and are either renting their property or waiting for the authority's to purchase? There happen to be two sets of homeowners in the area, those against and those for. Very one sided blogs here BRO. Let the flogging and single star hits begin...

This is a truly wonderful neighborhood, well worth fighting for and saving. The fine folks who live there are ready, willing, and able to do just that, and they are making their case, lining up allies, and marshaling their forces quite effectively. This national recognition is hard-earned and very exciting, and will change the complexion of the debate and make many sit up and take notice. Decent coverage in the Buffalo News today, as well, at: http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/350827.html

Martin probably thinks that the Kensington was a good idea too.

This is actually not an old issue. It cropped up when the Canadian Plaza was dropped. Why should the city continue to roll over every time an official says that this or that part of the city is worthless unless it is paved over.

It is time to stop this kind of arrogant and destructive planning!

The neighborhood is absolutely worth saving... Martin yes you are right that this battle could have and probably should have been waged 20 years ago but maybe the people of this area have finally realized enough is enough and wised up! The Peace Bridge itself is historic and I think that if the Peace Bridge Authority wised up like the rest of us and took its head out of its ass then maybe they would see that the best alternative is to construct a new bridge downriver where the ambassador group wants to build or even farther downriver on GI. Front Park was one of our cities greatest assets and they stole it from us lets demand it back! Keep up the great work all those involved in this fight! While we are fighting lets demand that the PBA be dismantled and a new regional entity is created overseeing all of the areas border crossings.

If every project got pushed through half of allentown would have been demolished for the 190 - 33 connection. Martin's house would probably look like those sad homes along the 33 now. It is a good neighborhood and worth fighting for and I am glad that the residents stepped up to the plate to stop it. Something I wish more people did during the 190 and 33 construction.

This is different though, it isn't about stopping the project as it is going to happen but instead garner enough support for supporting what is best for all parties. Doesn't it make economic and logistical sense to consolidate space and uses for the bridge security. Like every other government agency has been doing for years. police stations, libraries, firehouses. The way to survive for the long haul is to reduce overhead. Shared border does that AND gives the neighborhood, the city and the region something to be proud of.

If people want to sell their homes and move no problem. We just don't want these homes replaced by a truck plaza after your gone and we are still here.

Martin: nondescript? Open your eyes.

Ron Rieinas' response, fresh from this morning's Buffalo News: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/351725.html

I especially like the comments in the article from my congresswoman, Louise Slaughter:

"

But Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, said the preservationists’ concerns offer more reason to re-examine “shared border management,” which would locate the truck inspection plaza on the Canadian side of the bridge.

“We understand that whatever we do there is going to be permanent,” she said. “And most of us are very much concerned that what we are about to do there is a mistake.”

"

I really hope that this stupid project gets crumpled up and tossed into the garbage can. I understand the need to expand the commerce that happens with an updated bridge, but find a way that doesn't include destroying a historic neighborhood that is unique to our area.

What most Buffalonians don't realize is that the Ontario government designated Fort Erie as an economic development zone. This is why Reinas is pushing Buffalo so hard. Buffalo should be designated a people development zone.

We don't really need a new bridge.

We need an expanded and shared border crossing facility in Fort Erie. Start the talks in January 2009 and tell the Buffalo and Fort Erie Peace Bridge Authority that their is still a government in Buffalo that was elected by the people of the West Side for, and by, and of the people.

The Peace Bridge is acting like a despot.

If commercial traffic is the almighty savior we need a dedicated commercial bridge and plaza. Submitting Grand Island, the QEW and 190 are about 3.5mi apart. Near Netherby Road in ON and Love Rd on GI there is nothing but sporadically developed land. a 4-lane access to the 190 and a truck inspection plaza would be mostly taking empty land and not effect 10,000s of near by residents. Grand Island should love it since we claim this is a huge road block to jobs here. they can have all of them that sprout up ;)

The only issue is the Canadian Side already put a crap load of money into thier side. But that's what we get with half planning and not looking at the larger picture. Do we keep throwing money into mistakes or do we regroup and do what's right for residents, traffic flow, land usage etc.? There is no reason that all 4 bridges should not be coordinated in traffic flow and best use of land.

I houses are expendable, take the small cluster of hoouses in lewistion beteen they highway and the power authority and move the cemetaries. Lots of room there surrounded by highways. ;)

The bridge should not be in the City, period. It should be built downstream or closer to where the I-190 hits the I-290. There are no homes on this side. This would be a win-win.

It is proposed because Buffalo is perceived as a wasteland of vacant buildings and uneducated welfare cases. This neighborhood means very little to most of the people in New York, they just see this as a bunch of NIMBY complaints. The arguments presented so far do little to dispel these perceptions.

Most people in WNY are tired and suspicious of the Historic Trust angle used whenever there is opposition to a project. In my opinion, the designation of the vacant and vandalized H-O grain silo as an important element of our history and worthy of preservation revealed how much of a sham this designation really is. Many people that I talk to agree that the historic designation is a tool for obstruction more than it is a tool for preservation. After all, why does it take the proposed demolition of a structure to get people to see its historical significance? Ponderous man, f...ing ponderous.

non-descript; NON-descript; NON-DESCRIPT!

Ridiculous.

The advancement of false information screws everything up. I noted with interest the comment by Deliking and would like to respond to his points. Given this late date following the post, I doubt anyone will read this, but I'll put it out there anyway as part of the public record.

The Canadian plaza construction did not divide the town. There is a small group of businessmen (a core of about six) who have had a 20-year hate-on for Ron Rienas in particular and who would like to sell their land to the Detroit interests who have floated the idea of a bridge between Fort Erie's North End (Bridgeburg) and Black Rock. Their enmity toward Rienas and the opportunity to sell out from the Jarvis Street area have driven their opposition. The overwhelming majority of people in Fort Erie approve of the plaza redesign. There's only one weakness: when waiting for Canadian Customs to clear the line, I don't get to enjoy the view of the river because I'm not waiting on the bridge, I'm waiting in the plaza, and that fountain makes me want to pee. The good thing about it, though, is that there is no queue out onto Baird Drive and the Thruway.

Deliking says it has made it more difficult to visit Fort Erie. There's another load of BS. The configuration has changed, indeed. No more exit to Goderich Street but the benefit to the whole system outweighs the cost of having a back-door shortcut to the South End. The closing of Garrison Road to direct access to the bridge is a good thing. The fact that Garrison Road was informally voted one of the 10 worst roads in Ontario is testament to that. The wear and tear has destroyed that road and the Town and Region and Province are finally spending a couple million good Canadian dollars to fix it. It is a main thoroughfare for access to Fort Erie's South End and the North End. The worst thing in the world is to clog it with international traffic bound for Buffalo.

Speaking of good Canadian dollars, Deliking states tourist business in Fort Erie has dropped off since the plaza was reconfigured. Geez, I wonder if that has anything to do with the dollar? Ya think?

On another point, the idea that a whole new infrastructure should be set up so a private capitalist can build a bridge a couple of kilometres down the river is just stupid. The highways, government services all exist at the Peace Bridge. Why pave over hundreds of acres of land for another bridge? Will the CNR give up it's Fort Erie land? Doubt it very much. Therefore, at least somet of the land used for a bridge, plazas and connecting roads will not be brownfield.

The Grand Island idea? Again, infrastructure would be duplicated and the land out there is even more valuable as a natural resource.

I do not like the idea of taking over people's homes, especially if they don't want to leave, to drive the interests of trade and tourism, but the US plaza now just doesn't work.

This idea of a signature bridge makes me scratch my head. A new Peace Bridge would look like any another cable-stayed suspension bridge -- quick to erect and fairly cheap -- so where's the signature? The five arches, Parker truss and curved approach design of the Peace Bridge is unique in the world. Thank you, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Common Tern for eliminating the Twin Pin Pricks. (It's not actually called Pin Pricks, but I didn't want to get reported.)

One good tern deserves another.