While researching the future of the Richardson-Olmsted Complex I came across some renderings that show some of the different ideas that have been bandied about. Of course the players behind the future of the complex have issued a request for qualified consultants to step forward as the formulation of a site Master Plan is developed. The Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel did spend a week in Buffalo and released its recommendations for future reuse of the complex.
There appear to be two thoughts of reason that break down the overall concept and feed it into two different directions. The first maintains the complex with the inclusion of the Office of Mental Health (OMH). The other concept moves forward without the OMH on the grounds (relocate). Obviously, if the OMH stays with the campus, there will still be a medical overtone involved, thus, as seen from preliminary renderings, the live/work, single family dwellings and the mixed-use development would be scratched.
Just take a look at that mixed-use development that fronts Elmwood Avenue (instead of current mass parking)… I would imagine that most people would say that is an exciting vision. The live-work and single-family homes concept situated on the west side of the campus looks enticing as well (instead of current mass parking). In the renderings that move forward without the OMH on the grounds, we see that many of the outdated medical structures are eliminated, thus creating a more modest park-like setting.
Here’s updated info on an upcoming meeting that the general public is invited to attend:
PUBLIC MEETING
Tuesday, November 27th 6 PM
Polish Cadets Hall
927 Grant Street
*An Historic Structures Report is underway by architects Goody Clancy and engineers Simpson Gumpertz and Heger that will serve as a guide for changes made to this landmark property. We welcome you to attend this meeting for updates from Richardson Center Corporation and to learn more from the project team about their findings.