Buffalo ranks 4th in the world in income growth .

Buffalo posted one of the world's strongest records for income growth during the past two years, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution

Brookings says the average income of Buffalo-area residents increased by 3.9 percent between 2010 and 2011, dwarfing the U.S. growth rate of 0.9 percent.

The corresponding difference of 3.0 percentage points was the fourth-best margin registered by any of 200 major metropolitan areas around the world.

The only places that outperformed Buffalo, says Brookings, were Houston (which surpassed its national income-growth rate by 4.7 points), Shenyang, China (3.4 points) and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (3.1 points).

Buffalo ranks 4th in the world in income growth .

Buffalo posted one of the world's strongest records for income growth during the past two years, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution

Brookings says the average income of Buffalo-area residents increased by 3.9 percent between 2010 and 2011, dwarfing the U.S. growth rate of 0.9 percent.

The corresponding difference of 3.0 percentage points was the fourth-best margin registered by any of 200 major metropolitan areas around the world.

The only places that outperformed Buffalo, says Brookings, were Houston (which surpassed its national income-growth rate by 4.7 points), Shenyang, China (3.4 points) and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (3.1 points).

Fubo - I just saw that. Quite surprised, actually. Nothing bad about that data for Buffalo, Rochester, and Detroit.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2012/01/buffalo-ranks-4th-in-the-world-in.html

Pittsburgh is becoming more of Buffalo's peer every day.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/01/19/saks-fifth-avenue-to-close-march-17.html?ed=2012-01-19&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

Pittsburgh is becoming more of Buffalo's peer every day.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/01/19/saks-fifth-avenue-to-close-march-17.html?ed=2012-01-19&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

That store was being held together by bits of masking tape and huge public subsidies.

You don't keep a store open for 60 years on subsidies and masking tape.

You don't keep a store open for 60 years on subsidies and masking tape.

No, you keep it open for 15 years after it would have otherwise closed with masking tape and huge subsidies.

No, you keep it open for 15 years after it would have otherwise closed with masking tape and huge subsidies.

Wonder how long the Macys is good for

Wonder how long the Macys is good for

They cut the floor space by almost half a few years ago

:lol: That's about as likely to happen as you moving to Buffalo. :lol::lol::lol:


Agreed, Gates is a dead proposal at least in it's last design. Diamond Schmitt Architects have now removed it from their site. http://www.dsai.ca/ Too bad really because the design still looks good IMO.

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1078_2_1000%20Diamond%2033%20Gates%20Circle%202.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1078_3_1000%20Diamond%2033%20Gates%20Circle%203.jpg

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/151641/13/Mayor-Pledges-40-million-For-Downtown-Development

http://www.thepartnership.org/Expertise/BuffaloBuildingReuseProject/BuffaloBuildingReuseProjectRecommendations

:)

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/151641/13/Mayor-Pledges-40-million-For-Downtown-Development

http://www.thepartnership.org/Expertise/BuffaloBuildingReuseProject/BuffaloBuildingReuseProjectRecommendations

:)

Very good news :)

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/151641/13/Mayor-Pledges-40-million-For-Downtown-Development

http://www.thepartnership.org/Expertise/BuffaloBuildingReuseProject/BuffaloBuildingReuseProjectRecommendations

:)

This is the most intelligent statement to come out of the mayor's office in a long time:

"We need to think of these older buildings as brown fields in a box. And the same kinds of incentives for remediating buildings, which we currently have for land, need to be developed."

Soooooooo....I am dying to hear what is going on with the Webster block. Any chance at a hint, or even a timetable for any kind of announcement?

Just curious, since that is a nice place to finally fill in!

Soooooooo....I am dying to hear what is going on with the Webster block. Any chance at a hint, or even a timetable for any kind of announcement?

Just curious, since that is a nice place to finally fill in!

Heard that there will be an RFP- spurred by this group's interest in the block. Not sure when though.

Senecas choose architecture firm for new downtown casino plan

A Memphis-based architecture and interior design firm has been selected by Seneca Gaming Corp. to develop a master plan for a new downtown Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino...

Our vision for Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is to create a destination that will complement the exciting development plans being formulated for the neighborhood surrounding the casino," said Karen Karsten, chair of the Seneca Gaming Corp. board of directors.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/downtown/article715905.ece

^
Contextual, no tower? Or just a rehashed version of the original?

I'd assume that their designs are starting from scratch.... and without the hotel there is probably no need for a tower. But no details have been discussed publicly yet, so who knows.

^
Contextual, no tower? Or just a rehashed version of the original?

Definitely no tower because the hotel was scrapped. My understanding is that they are downsizing the total cost from $333 million to under $100 million. They do want the land use designed so there is opportunity for future expansion should that ever become feasible.

Pittsburgh is becoming more of Buffalo's peer every day.


Of course both cities have shared the same declining demographics for decades. Like many cities, Pitt has lost most of its retail department stores.

However, Pitts' downtown Golden Triangle is still a very delightful place to walk. Wish the same could be said re: downtown Buffalo!

From the downtown rumor front-


Tishman deal still alive- purchase closes within three months- work starting late summer

Exciting plan in the works for AM&As

Another loft project for the eastern edge of downtown (not Hager Mills, that starts by March)


It's going to be an interesting year downtown. When in Buffalo has a developer had three or more residential projects underway at once? How about two developers?

Ellicott- Graystone, N.Pearl/North church, Bellesara II, Grace Manor on Symphony Circle

Kissling- Lake Hotel, 249 North, 298 Main

At least that's the plans for both.

Definitely no tower because the hotel was scrapped. My understanding is that they are downsizing the total cost from $333 million to under $100 million. They do want the land use designed so there is opportunity for future expansion should that ever become feasible.


Not surprised. A new $333 million tower doesn't sound like downtown Buffalo!

Not surprised. A new $333 million tower doesn't sound like downtown Buffalo!

:ohno:Why Not? It WAS ALREADY under construction.

The Planning Board also today:

•Heard about a proposal from General Mills, which is looking to acquire land from the city on south Michigan Avenue, near its facility. The company wants to buy the land to be able to better secure its property, said Wayne Spencer, a company representative. The matter was prematurely sent to the board by the Division of Real Estate; it must first be reviewed by the Office of Strategic Planning, officials said.
•Recommended the Common Council approve a restricted use permit for a planned sushi restaurant at the corner of Parkside and Hertel avenues. Wei Xue said he plans to open the 2,000-square-foot business, at 1563 Hertel, possibly in June. The tentative name for the restaurant is Mika, Xue said.
•Recommended the Council approve signage plans for Elmwood Village Fabrics, which is planning to move to 543 Franklin St. from its current location at 982 Elmwood Ave.

According to the Buffalo Metro Rail article on Wikipedia, "Some downtown business groups occasionally call for the removal of the transit system so that they can return to normal vehicle traffic and curbside parking, hoping that this measure might recreate the prosperous days of the past. Without extended branches in the suburbs, the system serves primarily a declining city population and those suburbanites who take buses or cars to one of the outer stations." I have never heard of a rail transit system being removed for any reason or non, but I think this idea is extreme. Part of the line is buried underground and the other part is at grade. Once a city is stuck with underground rail transit, there is nothing anyone can do to remove it. I also think the altogether removal of a rail transit line is a stupid idea, especially if it's a white elephant.

According to the Buffalo Metro Rail article on Wikipedia, "Some downtown business groups occasionally call for the removal of the transit system so that they can return to normal vehicle traffic and curbside parking, hoping that this measure might recreate the prosperous days of the past. Without extended branches in the suburbs, the system serves primarily a declining city population and those suburbanites who take buses or cars to one of the outer stations." I have never heard of a rail transit system being removed for any reason or non, but I think this idea is extreme. Part of the line is buried underground and the other part is at grade. Once a city is stuck with underground rail transit, there is nothing anyone can do to remove it. I also think the altogether removal of a rail transit line is a stupid idea, especially if it's a white elephant.

There is no talk of shutting down the rail whatsoever, the plan is to add auto traffic to the portion of the rail line where it runs above ground as is done in many other cities such as Toronto, and San Francisco cable cars

How was Buffalo's Metro Rail line constructed as part subway, part at-grade rail line. Probably the entire line was originally planned as a subway line, but the downtown portion of the planned line was revised to an at-grade rail line to cut down costs?

There is no talk of shutting down the rail whatsoever, the plan is to add auto traffic to the portion of the rail line where it runs above ground as is done in many other cities such as Toronto, and San Francisco cable cars

That is the best thing do do with that section of track. They should also update the fleet with new cars. The ones in use right now are looking a little ratty.

They should also update the fleet with new cars. The ones in use right now are looking a little ratty.
They are in the process of refurbishing every rail car, from top to bottom, one at a time. New colors, seats, signage, LED lighting, audio, etc. I think a few of the new trains are in operation now. Will probably be another year or 2 before all the trains are complete.

Here's the new livery:

http://www.tomsbuspage.ca/NFTA/NFTA117.jpg

That is the model from the last quasi-refurbishing when they gave them the newer paint scheme, seats, and not much else.

If you look closely, you can see this has the non-LED signage and some noticeable rust stains.

I have been taking the metro rail consistently every weekday since late October and have yet to see the new model...which leads me to believe they are not running it in the fleet yet or doing limited runs to work out any kinks with the new electronic systems on board.

How was Buffalo's Metro Rail line constructed as part subway, part at-grade rail line. Probably the entire line was originally planned as a subway line, but the downtown portion of the planned line was revised to an at-grade rail line to cut down costs?

The original plan was:

Main Street: covered in glass, trains to run on second underground level.
Chippewa to Delavan: subway
Delavan to Audubon: elevated

After that plan got the NIMBY treatment just before the first spade of dirt was turned, and construction/labor costs rose, the line was shortened to the current downtown/UB route, with light rail in place of heavy rail. It still would have been too expensive if it were all subway, so thus, the transit mall was born.

Why not surface running further out? Buffalo's growth has always been oriented towards the northeast, but there was never a direct rail line from downtown Buffalo towards Amherst. Thus, no clear right-of-way for a surface route. (The Belt Line wouldn't have worked, because its routing wouldn't have had the same effect of being a feeder line for buses. Before Metro Rail, more than half of all bus routes fed into or crossed Main Street at some point.)

there was never a direct rail line from downtown Buffalo towards Amherst. Thus, no clear right-of-way for a surface route.
Grover Cleveland and Millersport could provide the surface ROW that would be needed for a straight line to UB Amherst. (with some necessary land acquisition for where the train comes above ground...)

They are in the process of refurbishing every rail car, from top to bottom, one at a time. New colors, seats, signage, LED lighting, audio, etc. I think a few of the new trains are in operation now. Will probably be another year or 2 before all the trains are complete.

The NFTA Tokyo car LRVs aren't new, their refurbished circa 1984 models. they've held up much better than their look alike cousins the ill-fated Boeing Vertols. I'd guess their good for the better part of another decade.

However, the NFTA needs to start planning for the next generation LRVs. Could be tough though given the NFTA's much publicized financial crises.

The cars are being refurbished in Hornell by Italian company AnsaldoBreda with a $40 million grant.

The cars are being refurbished in Hornell by Italian company AnsaldoBreda with a $40 million grant.


Thats good & much needed.

However a refurbishment buys an extra decade or at most maybe another dozen years at most for cars that are nearly 30 years old.

The NFTA's going to have to plan for some new cars soon.

Grover Cleveland and Millersport could provide the surface ROW that would be needed for a straight line to UB Amherst. (with some necessary land acquisition for where the train comes above ground...)

Perhaps.

However isn't Millersport rather narrow?

Not lots of room for surface light rail

It doesn't sound as though NFTA is making any improvements. That's a fair amount of service cuts.
http://metro.nfta.com/

1 William - Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Ogden and Lovejoy All Service Eliminated
1 William - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Ogden & Lovejoy All Service Eliminated
2 Clinton -Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Clinton & Fernwood Street All Service Eliminated
2 Clinton - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Clinton & Fernwood Street All Service Eliminated
6 Sycamore - Weekday** Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Walden Galleria Mall Reduced service frequency between 9am & 2pm
6 Sycamore - Saturday** Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Walden Galleria Mall Reduced service frequency
6 Sycamore - Sunday** Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Walden Galleria Mall Reduced service frequency after 7pm
7 Baynes - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Buffalo Psychiatric Center All Service Eliminated
8 Main - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and University Station All Service Eliminated
8 Main - Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and University Station All Service Eliminated
8 Main - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and University Station All Service Eliminated
11 Colvin - Weekday Route operates between downtown and Tonawanda Centre of Industry All Service Eliminated
11 Colvin - Saturday Route operates between downtown and Tonawanda Centre of Industry All Service Eliminated
11 Colvin - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Tonawanda Centre of Industry All Service Eliminated
15 Seneca - Weekday** Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Southgate Plaza Reduced service frequency between 9am & 2pm
15 Seneca -Saturday** Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Southgate Plaza Reduced service frequency
15 Seneca - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Southgate Plaza All Service Eliminated
16 South Park - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and McKinley Mall All Service Eliminated
16 South Park - Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and McKinley Mall All Service Eliminated
16 South Park - Sunday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and McKinley Mall All Service Eliminated
18 Jefferson - Saturday Route operates between Delavan College Metro Rail and Louisiana & Jefferson All Service Eliminated
18 Jefferson - Sunday Route operates between Delavan College Metro Rail and Louisiana & Jefferson All Service Eliminated
21 Late Night Express - Thursday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Canisius College All Service Eliminated
21 Late Night Express - Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Canisius College All Service Eliminated
22 Porter-Best - Saturday Route operates between Lakeview & Porter and Thruway Mall All Service Eliminated
22 Porter-Best - Sunday Route operates between Lakeview & Porter and Thruway Mall All Service Eliminated
26 Delavan - Sunday Route operates between Niagara & Delavan and Thruway Mall All Service Eliminated
27 BNIA -Erie County Home - Weekday Route operates between BNIA and Wende Correctional All Service Eliminated
27 BNIA- Erie County Home - Saturday Route operates between BNIA and Wende Correctional All Service Eliminated
27 BNIA- Erie County Home - Sunday Route operates between BNIA and Wende Correctional All Service Eliminated
29 Wohlers - Weekday Route operates between Maryland & Busti and Delavan College Metro Rail Station All Service Eliminated
32 Amherst - Weekday** Route operates between Niagara & Amherst and Thruway Mall Reduced service frequency between 9am & 2pm
32 Amherst - Saturday** Route operates between Niagara & Amherst and Thruway Mall Reduced service frequency
32 Amherst - Sunday** Route operates between Niagara & Amherst and Thruway Mall Reduced service frequency
34 Niagara Falls Blvd. - Weekday** Route operates between University Station and Creekside Park & Ride Reduced service levels beyond Niagara Falls Blvd. and Ridge Lea. Service to Audubon Industrial Park to only operate during morning and afternoon peak periods
34 Niagara Falls Blvd. - Saturday** Route operates between University Station and Creekside Park & Ride Reduced service levels beyond Niagara Falls Blvd. and Ridge Lea. Service to Audubon Industrial Park to only operate during morning and afternoon peak periods
34 Niagara Falls Blvd. - Sunday Route operates between University Station and Creekside Park & Ride All Service Eliminated
35 Sheridan - Weekday Route operates between Vulcan & Tonawanda and SUNY Buffalo North Campus All Service Eliminated
35 Sheridan - Saturday Route operates between Vulcan & Tonawanda and SUNY Buffalo North Campus All Service Eliminated
35 Sheridan - Sunday Route operates between Vulcan & Tonawanda and SUNY Buffalo North Campus All Service Eliminated
36 Hamburg - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Hamburg All Service Eliminated
36 Hamburg - Saturday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and McKinley Mall All Service Eliminated
42 Lackawanna - Weekday Route operates between Thruway Mall and Lackawanna All Service Eliminated
44 Lockport - Weekday* Route operates between University Station and Lockport Service to only operate between University Station and CrossPoint Business Park. Service to Lockport eliminated.
44 Lockport - Saturday Route operates between University Station and CrossPoint Business Park All Service Eliminated
44 Lockport - Sunday Route operates between University Station and CrossPoint Business Park All Service Eliminated
46 Lancaster - Weekday Route operates between Thruway Mall and Lancaster All Service Eliminated
47 Youngs Road - Weekday Route operates between University Station and BNIA All Service Eliminated
48 Williamsville - Saturday Route operates between University Station and Eastern Hills Mall All Service Eliminated
48 Williamsville - Sunday Route operates between University Station and Eastern Hills Mall All Service Eliminated
49 Millard Suburban - Weekday Route operates between University Station and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital All Service Eliminated
50 Main-Niagara - Weekday* Route operates between Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Lewiston Service to only operate between Mt. St. Mary's Hospital and Portage Rd. Transportation Center. Service to Lewiston and Niagara Falls Transportation Center eliminated.
50 Main-Niagara - Saturday Route operates between Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Mt. St. Mary's Hospital/Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care All Service Eliminated
50 Main-Niagara - Sunday Route operates between Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Mt. St. Mary's Hospital/Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care All Service Eliminated
52 Hyde Park - Weekday Route operates between Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Mt. St. Mary's Hospital/Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care All Service Eliminated
52 Hyde Park - Saturday Route operates between Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Mt. St. Mary's Hospital/Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care All Service Eliminated
54 Military - Weekday Route operates between Portage Road Transportation Center and Niagara Falls Transportation Center All Service Eliminated
54 Military - Saturday Route operates between Portage Road Transportation Center and Niagara Falls Transportation Center All Service Eliminated
54 Military -Sunday Route operates between Portage Road Transportation Center and Niagara Falls Transportation Center All Service Eliminated
55 Pine Avenue - Weekday Route operates between Portage Road Transportation Center and NCCC/BOCES with selected trips to Lockport All Service Eliminated between NCCC/BOCES and Lockport
57 Tonawandas - Weekday Route operates between Main & Niagara Transportation Center and Niagara Falls International Airport All Service Eliminated
60 Niagara Falls Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls and Portage Road Transportation Centers All Service Eliminated
61 North Tonawanda Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Main & Niagara Transportation Center All Service Eliminated
62 Parker Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Tonawanda Centre of Industry All Service Eliminated
63 Riverside Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Kenmore and Military All Service Eliminated
64 Lockport Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Lockport All Service Eliminated
65 Amherst Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Millersport & Transit All Service Eliminated
66 Williamsville Express- Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Eastern Hills Mall All Service Eliminated
67 Cleveland Hill Express- Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and ECC North All Service Eliminated
68 George Urban Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and BNIA All Service Eliminated
69 Alden Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Alden All Service Eliminated
70 East Aurora Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and East Aurora All Service Eliminated
72 Orchard Park Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Orchard Park All Service Eliminated
74 Hamburg Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and North Boston All Service Eliminated
75 West Seneca Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and West Seneca All Service Eliminated
76 Lotus Bay Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Seneca Bingo, Farnham All Service Eliminated
79 Tonawanda Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Main and Niagara Transportation Center All Service Eliminated
81 East Side Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and University Station All Service Eliminated
97 Darien Lake - Weekday, Sat & Sun Route operates between downtown Buffalo and Darien Lake Park (Seasonal) All Service Eliminated
200 No.Tonawanada-Wheatfield - Weekday Route operates between Main & Niagara Transit Center and Niagara Falls International Airport All Service Eliminated
201 Lockport - Weekday Route operates as Lockport circulator with service to Lockport Memorial Hospital and Tops/Wal-Mart Plaza All Service Eliminated
204 Airport Downtown Express - Weekday Route operates between downtown Buffalo and BNIA All Service Eliminated
206 Campus Circulator - Weekday Route operates as a Buffalo State College Circulator also serving Tops and Wegmans All Service Eliminated
206 Campus Circulator - Saturday Route operates as a Buffalo State College Circulator also serving Tops and Wegmans All Service Eliminated
206 Campus Circulator - Sunday Route operates as a Buffalo State College Circulator also serving Tops and Wegmans All Service Eliminated
209 Medaille Circulator - Weekday Route operates between Medaille College and Buffalo Zoo All Service Eliminated
210 Airport- Niagara Falls Express - Weekday Route operates between BNIA and Niagara Falls & Portage Road Transportation Centers (Seasonal) All Service Eliminated
210 Airport-Niagara Falls Express - Saturday Route operates between BNIA and Niagara Falls & Portage Road Transportation Centers (Seasonal) All Service Eliminated
210 Airport-Niagara Falls Express - Sunday Route operates between BNIA and Niagara Falls & Portage Road Transportation Centers (Seasonal) All Service Eliminated
211 ECC Circulator - Weekday Route operates between ECC North to ECC City and ECC South Campuses All Service Eliminated
211 ECC Circulator - Saturday Route operates between ECC City and ECC South Campuses All Service Eliminated
216 Gowanda-McKinley Mall - Weekday Route operates between McKinley and Gowanda Rehabilitation & Nursing Center All Service Eliminated
Buffalo Bills Service - Routes 90, 92, 93, 94 & 96 Routes operate from various locations to Ralph Wilson Stadium All Service Eliminated
Metro Rail - Sunday

However a refurbishment buys an extra decade or at most maybe another dozen years at most for cars that are nearly 30 years old.

The NFTA's going to have to plan for some new cars soon.
The refurbishment they're going through is essentially rebuilding the cars with new and refurbished parts from the ground up. They will essentially be almost new cars without paying for new cars. The seats, walls, windows, signage will be new. They're planned to last 15 years. Brand new cars would probably last 20-25 years but cost three times as much.

However isn't Millersport rather narrow?
Not lots of room for surface light rail
Nope. Millersport is wide. It's Grover Cleveland that would be the narrowest point but even that road is 4 lanes right now (2 in each direction). Once it turns into Millersport it gains a 5th lane for Left turns. Then as it gets closer to the university Millersport gets even wider and more highway-like.

The every-day bus traffic between the two schools already takes this route. There would be some design complexity wherever the subway comes above ground. It has to come up somewhere. I could see one option being to keep it below ground under Grover Cleveland then maybe come above ground at the Eggert/Longmeadow intersection to take up one of the lanes on Millersport all the way to UB.

The problem with that direct UB route is it doesn't satisfy the people that want it to stop at the Boulevard Mall too.

It doesn't sound as though NFTA is making any improvements. That's a fair amount of service cuts.
Those are proposed cuts and there's been a strong protest against them. So I'm guessing either they will give back many of the route cuts in exchange for another fare increase, or else possibly the state will step in and kick in some funds (but who knows). The revised plan for cuts isn't due until May.

The problem with that direct UB route is it doesn't satisfy the people that want it to stop at the Boulevard Mall too.

I'd like to see it happen, However, aside from lining up the funding, the biggest hurdle facing any light rail extension to UB is getting strong public support in Amherst for it.

I recall reading somewhere that any future extension of the light rail would be towards the airport. Is an extension to UB amherst actually being considered?

All of it is just talk at this point. There are no formal plans for either route. The UB Amherst one was originally supposed to be part of Phase 1, and has renewed interest from the University now that UB is developing 3 campuses with South and Downtown campuses already on the metro line.

As far as Amherst approval goes... in the past they didn't want the metro in their town. But I think a more recent survey in the late 90's indicated they supported the expansion. I think attitudes about downtown have improved so there should be less resistance to it today.

What is the status of the Dovovan building? I thought Benderson was supposed to have already started to work on it.

Nope. Millersport is wide. It's Grover Cleveland that would be the narrowest point but even that road is 4 lanes right now (2 in each direction). Once it turns into Millersport it gains a 5th lane for Left turns. Then as it gets closer to the university Millersport gets even wider and more highway-like.

Of course I meant the Grover Clevelend portion before it turns into Millersport. Grover Cleveland would be a VERY tight fit for light rail.

Yeah, Millersport would have ample capacity for light rail.

If all of the phases are completed, the project’s development cost could approach $20 million, making it the most expensive one undertaken by Bevilaqua Development.

Preliminary development plans call a pair of four-story buildings and a 105-room hotel to be developed on the property. One of the buildings is slated to be 44,000-square-feet and feature first floor retail along with 24 apartments on its upper three floors.

The second building, a 30,000-square-foot structure, will also have retail on its first floor and 18 apartments. The apartments in both buildings will average between 1,200-square-feet and 1,300-square-feet.

The retailers and restaurants will be smaller in nature, most occupying between 1,000-square-feet and 2,000-square-feet of the first floor space in each building. The apartments will feature such upscale finishes as hardwood floors and marble and granite countertops.

Bevilaqua said he is negotiating with a national chain to bring the hotel to the property.





http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/07/bevilaqua-takes-project-to-amherst-board.html?page=all

Vaguely similar to the Town Centre project on Maple Rd. that was killed by the typical NIMBY neighbors. However, four stories is hardly anything to get excited about especially when comparing this project to the town center in Reston,VA that has buildings that would dwarf most of the buildings downtown.

Vaguely similar to the Town Centre project on Maple Rd. that was killed by the typical NIMBY neighbors. However, four stories is hardly anything to get excited about especially when comparing this project to the town center in Reston,VA that has buildings that would dwarf most of the buildings downtown.I think they were referring more to the look than the size. Clearly 4 acres is not huge by any definition

Vaguely similar to the Town Centre project on Maple Rd. that was killed by the typical NIMBY neighbors. However, four stories is hardly anything to get excited about especially when comparing this project to the town center in Reston,VA that has buildings that would dwarf most of the buildings downtown.


You are right that in most suburbs 4 stories would not be a big deal.

However, around suburban Buffalo four stories is a VERY BIG DEAL!

University Village right across from Sweethome High School have several towers that are 4-stories each.

However, since this is high-end apartments, I will agree that this is a big deal for Amherst.

Big gain for WNY

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726956.ece

That link seems broken. Or the article has been moved/removed.

Big gain for WNY

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726956.ece

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726956.ece

Just tested, this one works

Gates Circle Hospital Site Update

"[Kaleida] announced Thursday that it will award [$1 million] prize to the developer or design team that submits a winning proposal for redevelopment of the hospital at Gates Circle, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city. The developer would not receive the prize until it has completed purchase of the property. By dangling the money, Kaleida hopes to generate interest in the project."

FULL - http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726969.ece


I'm guessing what happens with Gates will also determine how they plan to re-develop Children's Hospital down the road. Not good to hear that they haven't received any interest so far from developers. But I'm glad to see they are being creative and proactive about it.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726969.ece

I recommend they replicate something like the Landmark Center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Center_(Boston))in Boston.

Landmark Center in Boston, Massachusetts is a commercial center situated in an art deco building built in 1929 for Sears, Roebuck and Company. It features a 200-foot-tall (61 m) tower and, as Sears Roebuck and Company Mail Order Store, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Derelict for a time before being reopened in fall 2000, the restorations and modifications made to this limestone and brick structure have received critical acclaim.

Landmark Center now houses retail stores (including Best Buy, REI and Staples), a 13-screen movie theater, a 1,700-space parking garage, a sports complex and a day care center.

Much of the rest is premium office space, a good deal of it occupied by tenants related to the medical field and the nearby Longwood Medical and Academic Area. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the building's anchor and occupies the majority of its office space. Most of the additional offices are rented by Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.

The building is located at the intersection of Park Drive and Brookline Avenue where the Riverway and the Back Bay Fens, two links of the Emerald Necklace park system designed in the 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted, meet. As it is the tallest building in its vicinity, the top of the Landmark Center provides panoramic views of the Charles River, adjacent Cambridge, and the Great Blue Hill in Milton.

Or the Porter Exchange Building (http://www.dsaarchitects.com/Porter.htm) in Porter SQ Cambridge.

Both building are old Sears Department Stores... obviously, a lot easier to work with than Gates but I would like to see some creative, mixed use...

Both building are old Sears Department Stores... obviously, a lot easier to work with than Gates but I would like to see some creative, mixed use...

the old Gates buildings on Lafayette and Linwood would make very nice townhouses:
http://gates.kaleidahealth.org/gen_info/images/GATES_FirstBuilding_640.jpg

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article726969.ece

I recommend they replicate something like the Landmark Center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Center_(Boston))in Boston.



Or the Porter Exchange Building (http://www.dsaarchitects.com/Porter.htm) in Porter SQ Cambridge.

Both building are old Sears Department Stores... obviously, a lot easier to work with than Gates but I would like to see some creative, mixed use...

Both your examples remind me of this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Quay_Terminal
Queens Quay (pronounced Key) Has a mall, offices and condos.

Buffalo Airport expansion plans

The NFTA and its consultants now envision about 8 million travelers per year by 2030 -- a major spurt from 5.4 million in 2011. An overflow of Ontario license plates in the airport parking lots tells the story -- 8 percent were Canadian in 1997, compared with 40 percent today. ...

Major components of the airport's 20-year master plan include:


Parking capacity would grow from the current 6,800 vehicles to about 10,500 -- some of it to be completed next year.
A long-discussed overpass from the terminus of the Kensington Expressway, providing direct access to the airport.
New entryways to improve foot traffic inside the terminal from the current ticketing area to flight gates.
An expanded baggage-retrieval area with modern "slope plate" carousels, replacing the current flatbed system.
The addition of three new gates, with plans for more if needed.
New taxiways to reduce the need for small aircraft to cross runways, as well as relocated emergency and maintenance facilities and an upgraded runway approach near the Thruway.
Continued noise abatement efforts.

The price tag is enormous -- approaching the $585 million the NFTA spent on construction of Metro Rail almost three decades ago. But planners see the Federal Aviation Administration assuming about $184 million of the expansion costs, with the NFTA picking up about $138 million, New York State about $31 million and other sources about $53 million.

None of the money is guaranteed, Vanecek stressed. He said the authority will approach the FAA and the state Department of Transportation incrementally, as needs develop over the course of the 20-year master plan. And the authority must compete with applications from other airports for a limited pot of funds.

FULL - http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article729019.ece

That's all great but they can cut out the overpass from the 33 , there is no need for it. I think I have waited a maximum of 30 seconds at that light, it's just fine the way it is. Matter of fact if that light is red I have been just going down Genessee and entering down there. What the airport really needs is an ILS approach for RWY 14, the other 3 have it, it's the only one without it. Also needs new approach lights for that one.

That's all great but they can cut out the overpass from the 33 , there is no need for it. I think I have waited a maximum of 30 seconds at that light, it's just fine the way it is. Matter of fact if that light is red I have been just going down Genessee and entering down there. What the airport really needs is an ILS approach for RWY 14, the other 3 have it, it's the only one without it. Also needs new approach lights for that one.

What's ok todayy may not be so ok with another 10,000 or so passengers per day

What's ok todayy may not be so ok with another 10,000 or so passengers per day

The Kensington isn't the bottleneck at the airport and never will be, the bottleneck is people too lazy to park, then walk 100 feet to meet their relatives at the baggage carousel. They sit in their cars and block the arrivals area. This was less of a problem when you could park for 1/2 hour for free, but now that you can't, it's a mess.

The Kensington isn't the bottleneck at the airport and never will be, the bottleneck is people too lazy to park, then walk 100 feet to meet their relatives at the baggage carousel. They sit in their cars and block the arrivals area. This was less of a problem when you could park for 1/2 hour for free, but now that you can't, it's a mess.

:ohno: You seem to be missing the point as to where the traffic growth is coming from. Using rough figures currently 2 million passengers per year come from Canada that number is expected to grow to 5 million in the future. That equates to an extra 8,219 Canadian Passengers per day in NEW Canadian users. Average 2.5 persons per group and you have an extra 3,288 cars entering the airport each day from Canada. Obviously the vast majority of them will arrive via the 33, thus the need for the direct airport access.

Your comment regarding people being too lazy is just foolish. Not very many of the airport's passengers from Canada (expected to account for about 5 million of the future total) are being picked up or dropped off by family.

:ohno: You seem to be missing the point as to where the traffic growth is coming from. Using rough figures currently 2 million passengers per year come from Canada that number is expected to grow to 5 million in the future. That equates to an extra 8,219 Canadian Passengers per day in NEW Canadian users. Average 2.5 persons per group and you have an extra 3,288 cars entering the airport each day from Canada. Obviously the vast majority of them will arrive via the 33, thus the need for the direct airport access.

Your comment regarding people being too lazy is just foolish. Not very many of the airport's passengers from Canada (expected to account for about 5 million of the future total) are being picked up or dropped off by family.

What? Why are you arguing this point? I know where the traffic is coming from, if you had bothered to read my post, I already told you the 33 is not the problem, This is the 3rd time I have said it. There is never a backup there and there never will be. It seems to me that you have rarely or ever been to the airport, and have no idea what you are talking about.

What? Why are you arguing this point? I know where the traffic is coming from, if you had bothered to read my post, I already told you the 33 is not the problem, This is the 3rd time I have said it. There is never a backup there and there never will be. It seems to me that you have rarely or ever been to the airport, and have no idea what you are talking about.

You are correct, how foolish of me to not take your word for it. You are correct bringing in 5 million Canadian flyers to the airport will not increase traffic. Silly old me believing the transportation professionals sover an anonymous poster to a web site :nuts:

You are correct, how foolish of me to not take your word for it. You are correct bringing in 5 million Canadian flyers to the airport will not increase traffic. Silly old me believing the transportation professionals sover an anonymous poster to a web site :nuts:

LOL, now you're just being stupid, of course I'm correct, I never said traffic wouldn't increase, I said the 33-Airport intersection isn't the bottleneck. Please try and read my posts and understand them in the future, It will make you look less stupid. I have recently discovered this thread on this site (usually hang out in Stadiums) and will be posting more in it.

LOL, now you're just being stupid, of course I'm correct, I never said traffic wouldn't increase, I said the 33-Airport intersection isn't the bottleneck. Please try and read my posts and understand them in the future, It will make you look less stupid. I have recently discovered this thread on this site (usually hang out in Stadiums) and will be posting more in it.Your keen insight into how increased traffic will not lead to traffic bottlenecks when the cars must sop for a light will continue to offer a beacon of joy to my life. Welcome my friend... now can you also assure me that higher gas and grocery prices will not cause my savings rate to go down given the same income....:lol::lol::lol:

Your keen insight into how increased traffic will not lead to traffic bottlenecks when the cars must sop for a light will continue to offer a beacon of joy to my life. Welcome my friend... now can you also assure me that higher gas and grocery prices will not cause my savings rate to go down given the same income....:lol::lol::lol:

Every thread has a troll, guess I found this one's. :nuts:

Every thread has a troll, guess I found this one's. :nuts:

Just because I don't agree with you about 3 million more people causing more congestion at the airport does not make me a troll. I just happen to agree with the NFTA that the airport roadway system designed and built in 1997 when the airport handled 2.6 million passengers will need increased capacity to handle the projected 8 million passengers.

If you can't see that then so be it. Since you seem needful of the last word, be my guest.

A pair of Main Street buildings that represent the rebirth of the so-called “500 Block” are available for sale.

Developer Roger Trettel has put a “for sale” price tag on the neighboring buildings he renovated at 515 Main Street and 523 Main Street


http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/14/2-rehabbed-main-st-buildings-on-market.html

Buffalo Development News 1973 Style !


http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/forgottenbflofeatures/metrorail1973.html

A pair of Main Street buildings that represent the rebirth of the so-called “500 Block” are available for sale.

Developer Roger Trettel has put a “for sale” price tag on the neighboring buildings he renovated at 515 Main Street and 523 Main Street


http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/14/2-rehabbed-main-st-buildings-on-market.html

Roger just put another building downtown under contract. It's a diamond in the rough.

93 Room Courtyard by Marriott for Donovan Bldg. Wonder if this means the high-rise Marriott they were planning (but never announced) for the Aud block is cancelled. :dunno:

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/14/marriott-signs-on-at-canalside.html

Roger just put another building downtown under contract. It's a diamond in the rough.

More power to him if he can use the proceeds from one project to finance another.

93 Room Courtyard by Marriott for Donovan Bldg. Wonder if this means the high-rise Marriott they were planning (but never announced) for the Aud block is cancelled. :dunno:

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/14/marriott-signs-on-at-canalside.html
96 rooms isn't too big, perhaps they will put two flags side by side like across from the airport

Does this mean that Tom Brady and his dad will stop complaining about the Buffalo hotels?

Planning Board approves Paladino Greystone project:

...
The six-story former Greystone Hotel on Johnson Park, which went onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, will be renovated into 42 residential units, said Thomas M. Fox, project manager for Ellicott Development Co.

The units, which will range from 500 to 1,000 square feet, will have rents from $700 to $1,400 or $1,500 per month, Fox told the board.

There also will be about 1,000 square feet of commercial space in the basement. ...

Ellicott Development hopes to complete the renovation work in the fall


http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article731301.ece

Every thread has a troll, guess I found this one's. :nuts:

you've been here for a day and you've already spotted the troll.
well done.

Perhaps this is the restaurant they are trying to land for the new Canalside Marriott

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20120214&Kategori=BUSINESS&Lopenr=302130050&Ref=AR

Perhaps this is the restaurant they are trying to land for the new Canalside Marriott

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20120214&Kategori=BUSINESS&Lopenr=302130050&Ref=AR

Makes sense to have them at Canal Side...but, I wonder if the lawyers upstairs would want to smell the cooker all day. :cheers:

Makes sense to have them at Canal Side...but, I wonder if the lawyers upstairs would want to smell the cooker all day. :cheers:

ya, its a pungent place and there are usually long lines around it. great place though- it would be great news and a real year-round draw.

I wonder if the lawyers upstairs would want to smell the cooker all day. :cheers:
The Buffalo News article also mentioned the PL lawyers seemed caught off guard that they could be sharing the building with a hotel. I'm not sure why that's an issue for them. Maybe they thought the building would be more secured & off limits? But given their reaction to the hotel announcement, I wonder how they would react to a popular restaurant on the first floor. I also wonder why they decided to move to Canalside in the first place if they wanted strictly an office building.

The city will be sending out RFPs this month for developing the Webster Block.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article732104.ece

I also wonder why they decided to move to Canalside in the first place if they wanted strictly an office building.

LOL They are moving right next door to their existing building, not to a different neighborhood. Both buildings are right on Main Street.

The city will be sending out RFPs this month for developing the Webster Block.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article732104.ece

Hopefully a major mixed use effort. The parking lot next to a the rail stop is a major embarassment

LOL They are moving right next door to their existing building, not to a different neighborhood. Both buildings are right on Main Street.
Right... they're basically crossing over the 190 a few yards away. But the building they're in right now (HSBC) is a pure office building and is relatively non-public. If that's what they were expecting in Canalside then they're just being dumb. I just hope they're not going to pressure Benderson into dumping restaurant plans or similar ideas of a public 1st floor.

Right... they're basically crossing over the 190 a few yards away. But the building they're in right now (HSBC) is a pure office building and is relatively non-public. If that's what they were expecting in Canalside then they're just being dumb. I just hope they're not going to pressure Benderson into dumping restaurant plans or similar ideas of a public 1st floor.

Wasn't the Donovan conversion always presented as a mixed use development? For them to complain about that now really indicates that those attorney's didn't perform much due diligence. Seems like perhaps they are having buyers remorse.

Wasn't the Donovan conversion always presented as a mixed use development? For them to complain about that now really indicates that those attorney's didn't perform much due diligence. Seems like perhaps they are having buyers remorse.

Correct- Uniland mentioned both hotel and residential as well as more office space for the non-law firm upper floors.

I had heard about the Sabres interest in the Webster Block- rough plan showed a rink(s?) and tower:

The Buffalo Sabres, developer Carl P. Paladino and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps have previously expressed interest, and they are among those expected to respond to a request for proposals that is due to be issued in the next two weeks.

The Sabres' plan -- which sources say remains preliminary -- would include public ice rinks for use by individuals, teams and schools where a parking lot now stands.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article732104.ece

If they are going to put indoor rinks there, that's fine... but I hope they still design the building to include other street-facing shops along the first floor. Instead I'm picturing a big brick wall. :(

-- would include public ice rinks for use by individuals, teams and schools where a parking lot now stands.[/I]



Enough with the skating already, they can only be used 3-4 months a year and we do not need more. a skating rink is every bit as inappropriate and deadening for most of the year as a surface parking lot. We need the block developed not turned into a giant reflecting pool. I would think that Fountain Plaza and skating on the new canals should be sufficient. If you are talking abount an indoor practice facility then perhaps one of the surface lots away from Main Street would be more appropriate.

IMO the Webster block should be fully built out to the sidewalk on all four sides with a plethora of small shops and restuarants all the way around. As for the buildings hieght, the taller the better but nothing less than 15 floors. Buffalo is still a city and should build it's downtown with as much density as it can get developers to do.

Enough with the skating already, they can only be used 3-4 months a year and we do not need more. a skating rink is every bit as inappropriate and deadening for most of the year as a surface parking lot. We need the block developed not turned into a giant reflecting pool. I would think that Fountain Plaza and skating on the new canals should be sufficient. If you are talking abount an indoor practice facility then perhaps one of the surface lots away from Main Street would be more appropriate.

IMO the Webster block should be fully built out to the sidewalk on all four sides with a plethora of small shops and restuarants all the way around. As for the buildings hieght, the taller the better but nothing less than 15 floors. Buffalo is still a city and should build it's downtown with as much density as it can get developers to do.

Right on Fubo.

If they are going to put indoor rinks there, that's fine... but I hope they still design the building to include other street-facing shops along the first floor. Instead I'm picturing a big brick wall. :(

I would assume they would be indoor. Ice rinks are practically 24 hour operations in WNY. There is a real shortage of ice time and many teams practice ad crazy early and late hours. I would think that a multi rink complex associated with the Sabers would be a huge draw. But you are right. To do it right the rinks should be set beck behind other uses.

[I]The Buffalo Sabres, developer Carl P. Paladino and Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps have previously expressed interest, and they are among those expected to respond to a request for proposals that is due to be issued in the next two weeks.

While we're at it, lets pass on this too.

I would assume they would be indoor. Ice rinks are practically 24 hour operations in WNY. There is a real shortage of ice time and many teams practice ad crazy early and late hours. I would think that a multi rink complex associated with the Sabers would be a huge draw. But you are right. To do it right the rinks should be set beck behind other uses.

Correct- the plan I've seen was for indoor rink and a substantial tower on the north end of the block (20 or so stories). The building would take up the whole block. Agreed that there needs to be retail along Main and Scott and Perry for that matter. Washington is a lost cause unless HSBC puts retail/restaurants in the Atrium.

While we're at it, lets pass on this too.



Yeah, I don't think we need another building next to the thruway with a list of Carl's enemies posted on the side for outside visitors to look at and be embarrassed for us.

Correct- the plan I've seen was for indoor rink and a substantial tower on the north end of the block (20 or so stories). The building would take up the whole block. Agreed that there needs to be retail along Main and Scott and Perry for that matter. Washington is a lost cause unless HSBC puts retail/restaurants in the Atrium.
I didn't realize anything in Canalside was going to be that tall. 20 stories is tall for Buffalo and would add to the skyline.

So I'm assuming it will be cut down to 8 stories by the time it's finalized.

;)

ECoast- was that plan you saw the RFP that was submitted?

I think that would be a great addition down there.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/02/scourge-1970s-era-office-towers/1235/

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/02/scourge-1970s-era-office-towers/1235/

Baltimore's all butthurt because they never built anything taller than the USF&G. A 45 story proposal by architect Pietro Belluschi in the mid-'80s never got off the ground. I personally don't mind these Late Modernist behemoths.

Could always reclad it, sure it would cost double what it costs to build, but that would be a lot less than a new tower...

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6076/6060818219_c00a59336a_z.jpg

We all know the drill...

anything ultra modern is cool.
anything very old is classy
anything 40 or 50 years old is lame and dull

so give it another 15 years and the HSBC tower will be considered the coolest thing since they invented elevators.

I've always thought those building were almost twins. They were built at the same time and are simialr in size and form. I'm not a huge fan of either, but I don't dislike them. My dad worked almost at the top of the HSBC when it was fairly new and called the Marine Midland Center. IBM had a few floors up there. There was also a restaurant at the top and he would take me once in a while. San Francisco has a few of those out here as well.

Enough with the skating already, they can only be used 3-4 months a year and we do not need more. a skating rink is every bit as inappropriate and deadening for most of the year as a surface parking lot. We need the block developed not turned into a giant reflecting pool. I would think that Fountain Plaza and skating on the new canals should be sufficient. If you are talking abount an indoor practice facility then perhaps one of the surface lots away from Main Street would be more appropriate.

IMO the Webster block should be fully built out to the sidewalk on all four sides with a plethora of small shops and restuarants all the way around. As for the buildings hieght, the taller the better but nothing less than 15 floors. Buffalo is still a city and should build it's downtown with as much density as it can get developers to do.

Well stated. Agreed.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/02/scourge-1970s-era-office-towers/1235/

Nice, I took the photo of One HSBC Center they used in that article. :banana:

Hey BRO guys i've been meaning to ask, has BRO ever run an article on "Sears/Roebucks" homes in Buffalo?

I was looking through here: http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/ and i'm sure there are plenty of these built to order homes in buffalo.

2 styles stood out as being somewhat common in the area:
http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/images/1908-1914/1912_0167.jpg
http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/images/1921-1926/1925_3205X.jpg

I think this would make for a pretty cool article!

Nice, I took the photo of One HSBC Center they used in that article. :banana:

hope you were compestaed/credited

hope you were compestaed/credited

No need. That photo and most others I take are donated to wikipedia commons.

Hey BRO guys i've been meaning to ask, has BRO ever run an article on "Sears/Roebucks" homes in Buffalo?

I was looking through here: http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/ and i'm sure there are plenty of these built to order homes in buffalo.

2 styles stood out as being somewhat common in the area:
http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/images/1908-1914/1912_0167.jpg
http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/images/1921-1926/1925_3205X.jpg

I think this would make for a pretty cool article!

Not that I can recall, but I think the News did a story some time ago and there were a few (Tonawandas IIRC)

Hey BRO guys i've been meaning to ask, has BRO ever run an article on "Sears/Roebucks" homes in Buffalo?

Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of the older homes around Buffalo came from the Sears/Roebuck Catalogue.

Sears built homes were quite popular in Toledo, FT. Wayne, South Bend & other mid-sized Great Lakes & Midwestern cities during the early 20th century.

There are more than a few neighborhoods & suburbs around Buffalo that look like they were made to order from Sears!

Sears? Kenmore?

Sears? Kenmore?


Nope, not Kenmore.

It actually has a decent share of well-built, durable, brick housing stock.

However, more than a few of Buffalo's other suburbs & some city neighborhood do have the Sears Catalog order look.

Nope, not Kenmore.

It actually has a decent share of well-built, durable, brick housing stock.

However, more than a few of Buffalo's other suburbs & some city neighborhood do have the Sears Catalog order look.

its called the American Foursquare right? because of the layout and look.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Foursquare

This is from 2010 when Benderson made its proposal to Phillips Lytle showing a substantial Marriott on the Aud site. HSBC was still considering the Webster Block and Bass Pro pulled out.

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/2815/plytle.png

http://www.buffalonews.com/incoming/article736168.ece/BINARY/w620/022012biz.jpg


Megawatts up at Steel Winds

Six new turbines at former Bethlehem Steel site increase the project's overall capacity by 75 percent

Updated: February 20, 2012

The six new wind turbines at the former Bethlehem Steel complex along the Lake Erie shoreline have started generating electricity, a spokesman for the Steel Winds project said. The new turbines, which have a combined capacity to generate up to 15 megawatts, increase the overall capacity of the Steel Winds project by 75 percent.

They started generating electricity in late January, joining eight other windmills from the first phase of the project that began operating in Lackawanna in 2007.

FULL - http://www.buffalonews.com/business/local-business/article736169.ece

Yup, I took this a few weeks ago.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2136-1.jpg

A couple more, if anyone needs any aerial work done, let me know, it's a hobby...

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2157.jpg

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2167.jpg

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2171.jpg

Very nice, thanks for posting!

[QUOTE=eMKay;88750726]Yup, I took this a few weeks ago.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2136-1.jpg

A couple more, if anyone needs any aerial work done, let me know, it's a hobby...

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/eMKayBFLO/Flying/IMG_2157.jpg

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

Plenty of room for a new Ralph Wilson Stadium/Convention Center combo in Buffalo Niagara. ;)

Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of the older homes around Buffalo came from the Sears/Roebuck Catalogue.


There's some Sears houses around the Buffalo area, but Bennett houses from the era are more common. Bennett was based in North Tonawanda, so shipping costs were lower. Bennett was also a prolific homebuilder in Northeast Buffalo at the time.

The catalog houses are going to be more common in subdivisions where lots were sold to individual homeowners, which in the interwar period tended to be in more remote suburban areas (then being Tonawanda, Williamsville, Snyder, Eggertsville, the speculative cottage communities in Hamburg and Evans, etc.) Houses in the city's interwar bungalow belt (Riverside, parts of North Buffalo, University Heights, Kensington, Delavan-Bailey, Schiller Park, Cazenovia Park) and Kenmore were usually built by homebulding firms (Fitzpatrick, Bennett, Lodge, Schifferle, McNaught, etc.)

Can't wait for LA Fitness to start construction, I'm thrilled Benderson got them to come to Buffalo.

Can't wait for LA Fitness to start construction, I'm thrilled Benderson got them to come to Buffalo.
where?

Elmwood and Hertel in North Buffalo (surprisingly it got very little media attention at all) http://www.buffalonews.com/business/briefs/article736955.ece

They are also expanding throughout WNY as well
http://www.wkbw.com/news/business/bz1-131847473.html

^ ok thanks. I remember now there was some announcement about a fitness center behind citizen's bank, but haven't heard much since.

It seems there are a lot of new gyms in that area. There's a Fitness 19 in the Tops Plaza. A Best Fitness is opening soon next to the Regal Cinemas. And now LA Fitness. These sites are very close together.

Now all they have to do is get our fat populace to utilize them. That would do as much to spruce up Downtown's appearance as a half dozen new highrises would

Elmwood and Hertel in North Buffalo (surprisingly it got very little media attention at all) http://www.buffalonews.com/business/briefs/article736955.ece

They are also expanding throughout WNY as well
http://www.wkbw.com/news/business/bz1-131847473.html

That'll fill up a bunch of Benderson space.

5 firms in running to build UB med school

The contract to build a new University at Buffalo medical school in downtown Buffalo is scheduled to be awarded in March.

But first the university will oversee a competition to select the architecture and engineering firm that will design the building.

Starting Feb 23, UB will host a two-day workshop for the finalists. Officials pared the list to five firms from the original 19 firms that expressed interest in building the medical school.

The current list:
• Cannon Design of Grand Island, the only locally-based firm.
• Diller Scofidio+Renfro/Gensler
• Grimshaw Architects
• Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum
• Rafael Vinoly Architects.

Robert Shibley, dean of the UB School of Architecture and Planning, is directing the competition. It includes tours of UB’s South campus and downtown, meetings with UB’s project team and discussions about the project vision, the city and regional context and the design challenge.

Firms must present their proposals between March 16 and March 22. Following public exhibits on March 27 and March 28, the final proposal will be chosen March 29.

The new building will be the centerpiece of UB’s planned five-year, $375 million relocation of its medical school from South campus to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Officials have said they expect final building designs to be completed in April 2013, with construction beginning in September 2013 and finalized in the fall of 2016.

Both public and private monies will be used to pay for the project. UB anticipates $215 million in state bonding and $50 million in gifts to the medical schools. It has secured $35 million in state funding and expects $50 million in UB capital appropriations and $25 million in School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences reserves.


http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/23/5-firms-in-running-to-build-ub-med.html

That'll fill up a bunch of Benderson space.

I'm assuming it will fill up the plazas in Clarence and the McKinley mall area. I have no clue where they will go in the boulevard consumer square on NFB because everything seems filled up there. Thr North Buffalo location will be nice because it'll be a new build. From the previous locations I gave seen, they look and are very nice. Great addition to the community.

5 firms in running to build UB med school

The contract to build a new University at Buffalo medical school in downtown Buffalo is scheduled to be awarded in March.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/23/5-firms-in-running-to-build-ub-med.html

I'm hoping Diller Scofidio gets the job. :yes:

Hmmm, interesting. I wonder who was cut.

5 firms in running to build UB med school

The current list:
• Cannon Design of Grand Island, the only locally-based firm.
• Diller Scofidio+Renfro/Gensler
• Grimshaw Architects
• Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum
• Rafael Vinoly Architects.




http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/02/23/5-firms-in-running-to-build-ub-med.html

It would be nice if they picked a local firm, it's not an art museum or a stadium.

It would be nice if they picked a local firm, it's not an art museum or a stadium.


You're right, this is more important than either of those things.

Neither UB campus is well designed. We can't afford anything but perfection this time.

5 firms in running to build UB med school

update...


In describing the project, UB officials released a few new details about the targeted property at Main and High streets. The site currently includes an HSBC Bank branch, parking lot and the Allen- Medical Campus Metro Station.

UB is still working to acquire the land from property owners, Shibley said, but envisions a Phase I of the Medical School project to include 520,000 square feet of space within a 12-, nine-, or seven-story building at the site.

UB’s preference, Shibley said, would be a seven-story building that would incorporate a more grand Metro station at Allen Street, but that’s going to depend on the outcome of property negotiations. Plans also show a Phase II for the Medical School, but that would be another decade down the road.


full - http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article740055.ece

update...


In describing the project, UB officials released a few new details about the targeted property at Main and High streets. The site currently includes an HSBC Bank branch, parking lot and the Allen- Medical Campus Metro Station.

UB is still working to acquire the land from property owners, Shibley said, but envisions a Phase I of the Medical School project to include 520,000 square feet of space within a 12-, nine-, or seven-story building at the site.

UB’s preference, Shibley said, would be a seven-story building that would incorporate a more grand Metro station at Allen Street, but that’s going to depend on the outcome of property negotiations. Plans also show a Phase II for the Medical School, but that would be another decade down the road.


full - http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article740055.ece

decade down the road? WTF?

decade down the road? WTF?
For Phase 2. The Phase 1 building should be complete by 2016 (4 years). I'm guessing they're being realistic about funding.

For Phase 2. The Phase 1 building should be complete by 2016 (4 years). I'm guessing they're being realistic about funding.

I know that is what I am talking about. If it takes 10 years just for this piece what about the other 40 building proposed for the medical campus

I don't think the UB Medical Campus will have anywhere near 40 buildings. It will probably have more like 3 or 4 (or less?). Don't forget they are planning to share space in other hospital buildings they don't own, like they already are today. I don't think they're planning for another South Campus.

From what I can glean between the lines from SEC filings and news reports/interviews with Dan Brazille, it appears that HSBC intends to leave the tower next year when the lease expires. That have strongly suggested that those employees that cannot be squeezed into the Atrium building (which they own) will be sent to the Depew Mortgage building (which they also own) as the mortgage business is wound down and those employees are let go. The winding down of the mortgage business was part of the May 2011 announcement. Without the mortgage business and with the branch divesture WNY will be left with about 3,000 HSBC employees. A net of about 1,600 former employees will be kept with branch purchases, Key, 1st Niagara, etc. The result from the HSBC restructuring on Buffalo is a net loss of about 1,000-1,200 financial sector employees. These are likely to be absorbed over the next year or two by continued growth by the other financial institutions in WNY. All in all the fall out is far less severe than might have been originally anticipated when the May 2011 announcement was made.

From what I can glean between the lines from SEC filings and news reports/interviews with Dan Brazille, it appears that HSBC intends to leave the tower next year when the lease expires. That have strongly suggested that those employees that cannot be squeezed into the Atrium building (which they own) will be sent to the Depew Mortgage building (which they also own) as the mortgage business is wound down and those employees are let go. The winding down of the mortgage business was part of the May 2011 announcement. Without the mortgage business and with the branch divesture WNY will be left with about 3,000 HSBC employees. A net of about 1,600 former employees will be kept with branch purchases, Key, 1st Niagara, etc. The result from the HSBC restructuring on Buffalo is a net loss of about 1,000-1,200 financial sector employees. These are likely to be absorbed over the next year or two by continued growth by the other financial institutions in WNY. All in all the fall out is far less severe than might have been originally anticipated when the May 2011 announcement was made.

That's tough news all around. The real estate market is really going to be hurting for a while when they leave the tower. On top of that, I wonder how many high level corporate jobs will be cut. I know that there are quite a bit of upper level management inside One HSBC Center

I wonder how many high level corporate jobs will be cut. I know that there are quite a bit of upper level management inside One HSBC CenterI would think if they were branch management related they will be replaced by new positions created at Key, First Niagara etc. If mortgage related they will be gone. The others I think are planned to stay either downtown or in Depew.

As far as the real estate is concerned, it is my understanding that the company that owns the tower is a rather poor landlord and pretty much deserve whatever fate awaits them. Capitalism is not always pretty but left alone it pretty much always works for the benefit of society as a whole. To the victor go the spoils.

The tower may be hurt but it's clear that the other parties to the deal such as first Niagara are adding office space in the City so all in all it will pretty much be a wash. More accurately the net space lost in the region will be that currently occupied by the net 1,000 or so net reduction in financial sector workers. Not a small amount but not officeageddon either. More like musical chairs than anything else.

I would think if they were branch management related they will be replaced by new positions created at Key, First Niagara etc. If mortgage related they will be gone. The others I think are planned to stay either downtown or in Depew.

As far as the real estate is concerned, it is my understanding that the company that owns the tower is a rather poor landlord and pretty much deserve whatever fate awaits them. Capitalism is not always pretty but left alone it pretty much always works for the benefit of society as a whole. To the victor go the spoils.

The tower may be hurt but it's clear that the other parties to the deal such as first Niagara are adding office space in the City so all in all it will pretty much be a wash. More accurately the net space lost in the region will be that currently occupied by the net 1,000 or so net reduction in financial sector workers. Not a small amount but not officeageddon either. More like musical chairs than anything else.

Although I'm sure that quite a few of the jobs that will be cut can be absorbed by M&T and First Niagara mainly, there will still be a large number of jobs that can't be saved under these circumstances in my mind. Also, I'm not quite sure if I agree with you regarding the office space vacancies. Once, and if HSBC leaves the tower, around 700,000 sq ft if office space will be sitting vacant, combining that with the space that Phillips Lytle will have occupied, and you have a very, very unoccupied building. In my mind, if HSBC leaves there will be a very strong ripple effect that hits the city and it's surroundings.

Once, and if HSBC leaves the tower, around 700,000 sq ft if office space will be sitting vacant, combining that with the space that Phillips Lytle will have occupied, and you have a very, very unoccupied building. In my mind, if HSBC leaves there will be a very strong ripple effect that hits the city and it's surroundings.

I agree with you that it is terrible for that particular building and it's owner. But to downtown as a whole it matters not if Phillips Lytle occupies 100,000 sq feet in the HSBC Tower or if it occupies 100,000 square feet in the Donovan building. That move has no effect on the downtown vacancy rate. It just moves it from one building to another.

Similarly both M&T and First Niagara have leased significant space downtown thus filling up currently empty space which will be off set by HSBC vacating space. Total leased space lost in the Tower may indeed be 700,000 sq ft but that is really Seneca One's issue to solve, some of the space lost will be moved to Depew but that is still in the regional real estate market. I think the net loss to the region in occupied office space can only be that space occupied by the eliminated thousand or so positions.

All Downtown loses are the jobs and occulpied space moving to Depew. Other than that it really is musical chairs that ends up putting all of the vacant space in one location - the poorly managed HSBC Tower. If the owners can solve some of their issues and lure new business to their building then the net effect of the whole HSBC restructuring could be a plus for Downtown.

I also agree with you that there will be in excess of a thousand jobs lost on a net basis, but when you look at what could have happened, I think it is fair to say that WNY came out of this all pretty good.

I agree with you that it is terrible for that particular building and it's owner. But to downtown as a whole it matters not if Phillips Lytle occupies 100,000 sq feet in the HSBC Tower or if it occupies 100,000 square feet in the Donovan building. That move has no effect on the downtown vacancy rate. It just moves it from one building to another.

Similarly both M&T and First Niagara have leased significant space downtown thus filling up currently empty space which will be off set by HSBC vacating space. Total leased space lost in the Tower may indeed be 700,000 sq ft but that is really Seneca One's issue to solve, some of the space lost will be moved to Depew but that is still in the regional real estate market. I think the net loss to the region in occupied office space can only be that space occupied by the eliminated thousand or so positions.

All Downtown loses are the jobs and occulpied space moving to Depew. Other than that it really is musical chairs that ends up putting all of the vacant space in one location - the poorly managed HSBC Tower. If the owners can solve some of their issues and lure new business to their building then the net effect of the whole HSBC restructuring could be a plus for Downtown.

I also agree with you that there will be in excess of a thousand jobs lost on a net basis, but when you look at what could have happened, I think it is fair to say that WNY came out of this all pretty good.

This will be a sad and unfortunate day if this event happens. It will be a long time until the space will be filled up after they leave. First Niagara may be growing and expanding, but not in the downtown section, as they have committed to the Larkin District. 1,000 people not going downtown to the tower is a bad senario, in more ways than one. Hopefully, a new tenant will be found.

Does anyone know when they will start the actual construction of the Donovan? I heard that benderson is working on putting a resturant and something else on the ground level

I agree that the loss of the HSBC jobs will be tough, but it could have been lot worse. The Buffalo market has a very low vacancy rate for Class A space and I be this space will be absorbed faster than people believe.

This will be a sad and unfortunate day if this event happens. It will be a long time until the space will be filled up after they leave. First Niagara may be growing and expanding, but not in the downtown section, as they have committed to the Larkin District. 1,000 people not going downtown to the tower is a bad senario, in more ways than one.


Agree, Buffalo SHOULD have tried a lot harder too keep HSBC & their jobs.

Why. So they could come up with some lopsided deal where taxpayers fork over hundreds of millions of dollars to save 1000 jobs or less? No thank you.

Why. So they could come up with some lopsided deal where taxpayers fork over hundreds of millions of dollars to save 1000 jobs or less? No thank you.

Exactly. look at the $10's of millions given to GM for Tonawanda Engine and Lockport (radiator) over the past 5 years to save and create jobs yet the employment at the 2 locations has fallen from a combined 7,200 in 2007 to 2,900 today. And even those pay much less than they did in 2007.

A nice little speculative fix up on Elmwood in Allentown

http://www.buffalorising.com/Facade-nice-Buffalo-Allentown.jpg

http://www.buffalorising.com/assets_c/2012/02/Facade-beat-Buffalo-Allentown-thumb-660x475-27178.jpg


Buffalorising.com

Why. So they could come up with some lopsided deal where taxpayers fork over hundreds of millions of dollars to save 1000 jobs or less? No thank you.

And so what outrageous special favors, breaks, deals, was HSBC looking for?

And so what outrageous special favors, breaks, deals, was HSBC looking for?

In the end they were looking for nothing. They had a management shakeup and changed direction for the entire worldwide organization. They decided to focus on their core business in Asia along with major international cities such as NY and London. No matter what the locals could or would have offered would not have mattered because HSBC made the fundamental decision that they no longer wanted to be the "World's Neighbourhood Bank"

Avant Condo Sale is a Record

Eugene and Carole Vukelic purchased a corner unit on the 16th floor of yesterday for $1,597,500. It is the most expensive condominium sold in Erie County and second most expensive purchase in the city. Vukelic is CEO of Try-It Distributing.

Uniland has sold 23 of the 27 units on the upper three floors of Avant in a little over two years. Sales prices prior to the Vukelic purchase have ranged from $383,250 to $1.45 million. Four of the sales to date have been over $1 million.

Clerk Records say it is unit 1601- that is the unit Michael Montate (Uniland VP) has been living in. Carl Montante (dad) "purchased" unit 1609 a few weeks ago for $825k, so Michael probably only moved to the other end of the building.


http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/03/big-deal-avant-condo-sells-for-16-million.html

For such a small city, Saratoga Springs has such a great urban core. This development has "a full service grocery store", the often talked about dream for Buffalo.

http://www.marketcentersaratoga.com/

Nice. Something on that scale and mixed use would be great at Canalside.

Eugene and Carole Vukelic purchased a corner unit on the 16th floor of yesterday for $1,597,500. It is the most expensive condominium sold in Erie County and second most expensive purchase in the city. Vukelic is CEO of Try-It Distributing.

Really? Damm! Silly me!

What a great bargain I missed!

Now I should've snapped up that great bargain while the price was right.

Interesting comments from Peter Hunt on his show today about the adaptive reuse of the soon to be renamed HSBC Tower. Has anyone seen the plans?

First I've heard about any reuse plans for HSBC tower. What did he say?

If there is actual discussion, that actually makes me feel better about it's inevitable vacancy when HSBC leaves town.

He did't say too much except hinted that his firm was somewhat involved

Up until now, there hasn't been much official talk about the direction the HSBC Center will be headed. It will be interesting to see what is made of it

The owners of HSBC Tower should strip the hideous exterior and replace it with a glass curtain wall.

Even HSBC Arena looks ridiculous with the new FNC signage. Pegula should have invested money on the exterior; lighting the entire structure up with bright, colorful lighting, (including the roof). What we see now is a $hit show with boring FNC signage

I’m back in BUF this weekend/week for a visit. Very depressing around here. Drive around Buffalo on the 190 in any direction and there are eyesores everywhere. Drove down Elm Street. Empty lots; peeling paint, boarded up buildings, and graffiti everywhere.

Even the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus looks pathetic. Where is the master planning for that area?

Another thing I noticed all around Buffalo Niagara – high wires; everywhere; ringing both sides of every street. Roads are terrible everywhere in the City; there is no sense of grand boulevards, anywhere including Delaware Avenue. Even sketchy cities like New Orleans have awesome boulevards…

Maybe it's just the weather and gray skies - but it is just not pretty around here. Little wonder people leave. High taxes and very little reinvestment.

What exactly is the Mayor of Buffalo doing?

The owners of HSBC Tower should strip the hideous exterior and replace it with a glass curtain wall.


there are probably better alternatives to that. that being said, the lack of any downtown is hurting buffalo so much right now. friends of mine are always going to buffalo for conferences and the report card is painful to listen to.

The owners of HSBC Tower should strip the hideous exterior and replace it with a glass curtain wall. Though not the most attractive skin the real problem with the building is its dead dead dead base. If you built a high density mixed use addition on the plaza you would make this building thousands of time more attractive to tenants and fix a big chunk of what is wrong with downtown.


Even HSBC Arena looks ridiculous with the new FNC signage. Pegula should have invested money on the exterior; lighting the entire structure up with bright, colorful lighting, (including the roof). What we see now is a $hit show with boring FNC signage Stay tuned. I think this guy has big plans for Buffalo


I'm back in BUF this weekend/week for a visit. Very depressing around here. Drive around Buffalo on the 190 in any direction and there are eyesores everywhere. Drove down Elm Street. Empty lots; peeling paint, boarded up buildings, and graffiti everywhere.

Even the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus looks pathetic. Where is the master planning for that area? Good criticisms but you do realize that there are at least 4 major new buildings planned for the campus in the next 4 years? Big changes coming for an area that had no momentum at all just 7 years ago.


Another thing I noticed all around Buffalo Niagara – high wires; everywhere; ringing both sides of every street. Roads are terrible everywhere in the City; there is no sense of grand boulevards, anywhere including Delaware Avenue. Even sketchy cities like New Orleans have awesome boulevards… You don't know what you dare talking about. Look around you a bit more.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419462_2542769023530_1682873234_1646038_909689687_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417023_2542784223910_1682873234_1646065_1387676252_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417534_2542790384064_1682873234_1646073_1713680081_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419236_2542801304337_1682873234_1646085_1332657251_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/427597_2542889746548_1682873234_1646168_1011384378_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/431259_2542952508117_1682873234_1646259_1575235549_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/424133_2542954948178_1682873234_1646262_303503885_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429452_2458758323315_1682873234_1617318_1890612064_n.jpg

There is summer too:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407246_2458763643448_1682873234_1617338_316690945_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417162_2458764043458_1682873234_1617340_348393662_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407395_2458769683599_1682873234_1617355_2036723544_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407052_2458774963731_1682873234_1617366_2005433011_n.jpg


Maybe it's just the weather and gray skies - but it is just not pretty around here. Little wonder people leave. High taxes and very little reinvestment. March make everyplace look crappy in the north east.


What exactly is the Mayor of Buffalo doing? Good Question

There are always two sides of every story. The medical campus has come a long way recently, with much more to come. It will be one of the fastest growing areas in Buffalo.

there are probably better alternatives to that. that being said, the lack of any downtown is hurting buffalo so much right now. friends of mine are always going to buffalo for conferences and the report card is painful to listen to.

I know that putting glass on the HSBC would be really expensive. I guess it's just who decides how much they want to spend. Time will tell

Reskinning the entire HSBC tower in glass would make it look like any other modern rectangular block building. Just like people 50 years ago used to cover buildings from 1900 in order to modernize them. HSBC has a style. It's just considered ugly at the moment. I'm sure that will change someday.... and the future whiny young urban planners of 2040 will say "I can't believe they covered over that classic original 1970's architecture with dull 2000's glass curtain walls. What were they thinking?"

HSBC Tower architecture is fine. Leave it alone. It can become exciting with just some simple updates - a cooler logo sign on top, or maybe some LED lighting treatments.

I agree that the base should be built out with mixed-use street level shops. Lose the plaza. It's never used.

Reskinning the entire HSBC tower in glass would make it look like any other modern rectangular block building. Just like people 50 years ago used to cover buildings from 1900 in order to modernize them. HSBC has a style. It's just considered ugly at the moment. I'm sure that will change someday.... and the future whiny young urban planners of 2040 will say "I can't believe they covered over that classic original 1970's architecture with dull 2000's glass curtain walls. What were they thinking?"

HSBC Tower architecture is fine. Leave it alone. It can become exciting with just some simple updates - a cooler logo sign on top, or maybe some LED lighting treatments.

I agree that the base should be built out with mixed-use street level shops. Lose the plaza. It's never used.


Sorry, HSBC Tower will never be cool. And although adding led lighting to it might help; it is nothing more than lipstick on a pig.

Steel and Numminen27,

Appreciate you taking time to respond. I am likely Buffalo's biggest champion in Boston. My friends and colleagues know and respect how dedicated I am to Buffalo Niagara. However, I expect more and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to defend the area due to the lack of visible/measurable progress.

Steel, the pictures above are great. No questions about it but there are only so many times I can tell our story about great people, awesome neighborhoods, amazing restaurants, and world class culture.

What about downtown? Black Rock? East Side? Cheektowaga? What about the areas surrounding the highways and thoroughfares of metro Buffalo?

Do you realize how many people pass through Buffalo Niagara to get to Southern Ontario and Toronto? Do you realize how many come south to fill our malls every day? The signage, the views from every major highway around the City of Buffalo and Niagara Falls is atrocious. It is downright depressing.

Where is the plan to help beautify Buffalo Niagara?

Unfortunately, people DO judge a book by its cover and people judge Buffalo from the second they arrive and pass through our area. There should be a plan to beautify the areas surrounding the 190, 33, and the stretch between the Hamburg and Depew toll booths on the 90; especially the area that pass through Cheektowaga and the Walden Galleria.

I am thrilled (not really) with the (little) progress in the past 15 years. However, as the average passerby can see – you know, those folks we hope to attract to our awesome neighborhoods, amazing restaurants, and world class culture – they keep driving straight to the malls or right out of the area because all they see are brownfields, dead grain mills, and eyesores around the city.

The 33 (from downtown right to the airport) and 190 should be beautiful gateways to/from our city. Instead, they help reinforce the outside perspective that Buffalo is nothing more than a dying city.

I am not ragging on our city. I am critical because I expect more and am tired of the lack of progress. I know some of you will discredit me for not living here at this time and doing my part. Trust me; before I left; I invested MANY years – but the lack of progress and fighting with politicians and corrupt authorities takes a toll.

Beautify Buffalo Niagara now.

thanks

Steel and Numminen27,

Appreciate you taking time to respond. I am likely Buffalo's biggest champion in Boston. My friends and colleagues know and respect how dedicated I am to Buffalo Niagara. However, I expect more and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to defend the area due to the lack of visible/measurable progress.

Steel, the pictures above are great. No questions about it but there are only so many times I can tell our story about great people, awesome neighborhoods, amazing restaurants, and world class culture.

What about downtown? Black Rock? East Side? Cheektowaga? What about the areas surrounding the highways and thoroughfares of metro Buffalo?

Do you realize how many people pass through Buffalo Niagara to get to Southern Ontario and Toronto? Do you realize how many come south to fill our malls every day? The signage, the views from every major highway around the City of Buffalo and Niagara Falls is atrocious. It is downright depressing.

Where is the plan to help beautify Buffalo Niagara?

Unfortunately, people DO judge a book by its cover and people judge Buffalo from the second they arrive and pass through our area. There should be a plan to beautify the areas surrounding the 190, 33, and the stretch between the Hamburg and Depew toll booths on the 90; especially the area that pass through Cheektowaga and the Walden Galleria.

I am thrilled (not really) with the (little) progress in the past 15 years. However, as the average passerby can see – you know, those folks we hope to attract to our awesome neighborhoods, amazing restaurants, and world class culture – they keep driving straight to the malls or right out of the area because all they see are brownfields, dead grain mills, and eyesores around the city.

The 33 (from downtown right to the airport) and 190 should be beautiful gateways to/from our city. Instead, they help reinforce the outside perspective that Buffalo is nothing more than a dying city.

I am not ragging on our city. I am critical because I expect more and am tired of the lack of progress. I know some of you will discredit me for not living here at this time and doing my part. Trust me; before I left; I invested MANY years – but the lack of progress and fighting with politicians and corrupt authorities takes a toll.

Beautify Buffalo Niagara now.

thanks


Not saying that there is not a problem but lets not go over board and start sounding like the Buffalo News comment section.

the lack of any downtown is hurting buffalo so much right now. friends of mine are always going to buffalo for conferences and the report card is painful to listen to.

Agree, I get the same feedback. Downtown Buffalo was never all that attractive or vibrant, as a place to walk, shop, or just visit, & frankly its not gotten any better.

Sorry, HSBC Tower will never be cool. And although adding led lighting to it might help; it is nothing more than lipstick on a pig.

I hate to agree with you but that comment is 100% true. Perhaps if it wasn't the tallest it wouldn't be so bad but it is. For some to say it will come back in style again I highly doubt that. Hopefully one day it's surrounded by taller nicer towers until then the best one can hope for is a re-clad. The Toronto Star building in Toronto looks almost the same as the HSBC tower and we all hate it. Many cities are unfortunate to have one or two towers like HSBC, unfortunatly for Buffalo it's the tallest.

Agree, I get the same feedback. Downtown Buffalo was never all that attractive or vibrant, as a place to walk, shop, or just visit, & frankly its not gotten any better.

Id be careful about the use of "never" there, we may be a generation or even two removed from it now, but there were hundreds of thousands of people filling those streets to do their business each day among world class architecture for the first half of the century. Some of the historic pictures are amazing, the intersections were so diverse and lively that I dont even recognize them, despite working down here now.

Id be careful about the use of "never" there, we may be a generation or even two removed from it now, but there were hundreds of thousands of people filling those streets to do their business each day among world class architecture for the first half of the century. Some of the historic pictures are amazing, the intersections were so diverse and lively that I dont even recognize them, despite working down here now.

I dunno I have to agree with Bayviews on this one, even when downtown was bustling it was kinda ugly. This picture from the late 1950's shows the Theater District and it's pretty awful.

http://wnyheritagepress.org/photosofweek/main_chippewa/main_chippewa.htm

Not saying that there is not a problem but lets not go over board and start sounding like the Buffalo News comment section.

Nothing over board about it - truth hurts - and we all know it.

Here is the latest feedback from the National Association of Sports Commissions on why they passed on Buffalo for its conference:

"“There was also concern from the site selection committee regarding the abundance of vacant storefronts surrounding the convention center and the host hotel,” wrote Beth Hecquet, the association’s director of meetings and events.

It smarts because we’ve been living it for decades.

It’s no secret that the heart of Main Street is pockmarked by vacant buildings." (http://www.buffalonews.com/city/columns/denise-jewell-gee/article749162.ece)

Can you honestly blame them?

---So, again, what is Mayor Brown doing?

---What is the purpose of Buffalo Place?

---Where is the bold leadership this ares so desperately needs?

We can continue to drive up and down Elmwood Avenue and feel good about Delaware Avenue - show natives images of great parts of the city while most of the outside world cringes and passes us by on the 190.


So sad.

Where is the plan to help beautify Buffalo Niagara?
There have been some plans for this, but some have fallen short or never materialized.

The 290 and 33 have had extensive spring flower plantings. Sounds minor, but the swaths of white and yellow flowers look cool. They only last a couple weeks, but at late winter/earler spring it's a welcome sign.

The 33 has also had landscaping done recently with new trees and shrubs.

They are also in the process of replacing rusting metal fencing on the sunken portions of the 33 with new concrete designs that look pretty good.

There was supposed to be a "gateway project" at the end of the 33 at Genessee street when that street was redone a few years back. But somehow the gateway idea got lost... or someone thought throwing a couple metal buffalos there constituted a gateway, I don't know. But the queen city hub plan also talked about creating gateways at several points. They never happened. There has been talk about beautifying the 190 near downtown and lasalle park, but haven't heard any details lately. (This has also been a major complaint for me too. Everyone raves about the QCH plan, but what about actually implementing it?)

Also keep in mind that the thuway routes like 90/190/290 and toll booths might be more of a state issue. I don't know how much buffalo can dictate on the asthetics of the 190 without getting state approvals and funding. I'm guessing here.

The Larkin District projects have removed a couple major eyesores from the 190. Those formerly bombed-out looking buildings are now prime real-estate bank offices, or cleaned up and remodelled. But they can only do so much. They're not going to remodel the whole east side.

The city is obviously been focusing a lot of effort on areas downtown like Canalside, the waterfront, the buffalo river, and Main Street. But much of those improvements may not be obvious to someone driving along the 190 at 60 mph.

Then there's also the extensive Re-Tree effort going on since 2006. But trees take decades to mature, so it's a long-term goal.

In general there are a lot of improvements lately around the city, but few of them improve the overall view from the freeways. I agree the highways are ugly (although in fairness, they are ugly in many cities...) But also I think improving the "view" is not an easy goal because it involved state-owned roadways and private land on either side. And then of course there's the question of where to spend limited resources. When the city is struggling with the core basics of a post industrial comeback, and NY state fighting huge deficits, how much of those limited funds should be for making the freeway all nice-nice pretty-pretty?

I dunno I have to agree with Bayviews on this one, even when downtown was bustling it was kinda ugly. This picture from the late 1950's shows the Theater District and it's pretty awful.

http://wnyheritagepress.org/photosofweek/main_chippewa/main_chippewa.htm
Again, the problem is the word "never". The 1950's was not buffalo's prime, it was just the point before the biggest declines begain. Buffalo's prime was much earlier... maybe 1890s through 1930s?

Again, the problem is the word "never". The 1950's was not buffalo's prime, it was just the point before the biggest declines begain. Buffalo's prime was much earlier... maybe 1890s through 1930s?True, never is a long time, but even photos of Main Street from the 1890's to 1930's showed a Main Street lacking in any grace or beauty, busy yes, attractive? Not very. http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2005/man_swan_1907/main_swan.htm

I am sure the area looked very natural and aesthetically pleasing back around 1650 or 1700. :lol:

Nothing over board about it - truth hurts - and we all know it.

Here is the latest feedback from the National Association of Sports Commissions on why they passed on Buffalo for its conference:

"“There was also concern from the site selection committee regarding the abundance of vacant storefronts surrounding the convention center and the host hotel,” wrote Beth Hecquet, the association’s director of meetings and events.

It smarts because we’ve been living it for decades.

It’s no secret that the heart of Main Street is pockmarked by vacant buildings." (http://www.buffalonews.com/city/columns/denise-jewell-gee/article749162.ece)

Can you honestly blame them?

---So, again, what is Mayor Brown doing?

---What is the purpose of Buffalo Place?

---Where is the bold leadership this ares so desperately needs?

We can continue to drive up and down Elmwood Avenue and feel good about Delaware Avenue - show natives images of great parts of the city while most of the outside world cringes and passes us by on the 190.


So sad.

I am not making excuses for downtown. Just pointing out that the hyperbolic "Everything in Buffalo sucks!!!!!!!" way of thinking is lame.

I am not making excuses for downtown. Just pointing out that the hyperbolic "Everything in Buffalo sucks!!!!!!!" way of thinking is lame.

Agreed, almost as lame as pretending Buffalo is something that it isn't. Fact is Buffalo is no longer a major American city. Once it comes to grips with that it will be a better place for all of it's actual residents.

Agreed, almost as lame as pretending Buffalo is something that it isn't. Fact is Buffalo is no longer a major American city. Once it comes to grips with that it will be a better place for all of it's actual residents.
Buffalo came to grip with that a long time ago. I don't see how any of these comments suggested delusions of still being a top tier US/international city... Everything here is about improvement.

Buffalo came to grip with that a long time ago. I don't see how any of these comments suggested delusions of still being a top tier US/international city... Everything here is about improvement.

Bingo - someone here gets it... ^^

I'm not saying everything in Buffalo sucks. I'm just tired of sticking up for the status quo.

Buffalo came to grip with that a long time ago. I don't see how any of these comments suggested delusions of still being a top tier US/international city... Everything here is about improvement.

I think a lot of the posters here have lived away from Buffalo so long that they are still thinking of it in terms of the city they moved away from with 452,000 people and not the city it is with just under 250,000. So obvioulsly it is not going to measure up to the Boston or Chicago that they are seeing everyday. As time goes on and they become more used to the vitality of the larger City Buffalo will only suffer more and more in their eyes when they return for a visit. That is clearly what is happening to Atypical the poster from Boston. You see what can be and grow weary of rationalizing for Buffalo.

I think a lot of the posters here have lived away from Buffalo so long that they are still thinking of it in terms of the city they moved away from with 452,000 people and not the city it is with just under 250,000. So obvioulsly it is not going to measure up to the Boston or Chicago that they are seeing everyday. As time goes on and they become more used to the vitality of the larger City Buffalo will only suffer more and more in their eyes when they return for a visit. That is clearly what is happening to Atypical the poster from Boston. You see what can be and grow weary of rationalizing for Buffalo.

Thanks to Jetblue - I fly back SEVERAL times a year. I have season tickets to the Bills and am very close to Buffalo and my family. As you know, I read and comment on this blog all the time. I follow Buffalo like one follows fantasy football.

I'm glad some of you are happy with the results we see in small pockets of the city. I am happy with that, too.

I am just sad that there seems to be no effort to clean up the rest.

Nobody here is saying Buffalo is a top tier city; yet - at the same time - if developing countries in the Caribbean and around the world can improve their appearance - so can Buffalo, NY.

Please know that I am not trying to diminish the efforts of the folks on this site, buffalorising, or the Buffalo News; we need stop making excuses for mediocrity, the lack of leadership and demand results.

Thanks to Jetblue - I fly back SEVERAL times a year. I have season tickets to the Bills and am very close to Buffalo and my family. As you know, I read and comment on this blog all the time. I follow Buffalo like one follows fantasy football.

I'm glad some of you are happy with the results we see in small pockets of the city. I am happy with that, too.

I am just sad that there seems to be no effort to clean up the rest.

Nobody here is saying Buffalo is a top tier city; yet - at the same time - if developing countries in the Caribbean and around the world can improve their appearance - so can Buffalo, NY.

Please know that I am not trying to diminish the efforts of the folks on this site, buffalorising, or the Buffalo News; we need stop making excuses for mediocrity, the lack of leadership and demand results.
The sad part is that so much could be done without much tax dollar expense. Something like a 10 year assessment freeze for exterior improvements would do wonders for the older neghborhoods throughout the region and not cost the taxing jurisdictions a penny.

Thanks to Jetblue - I fly back SEVERAL times a year. I have season tickets to the Bills and am very close to Buffalo and my family. As you know, I read and comment on this blog all the time. I follow Buffalo like one follows fantasy football.

I'm glad some of you are happy with the results we see in small pockets of the city. I am happy with that, too.

I am just sad that there seems to be no effort to clean up the rest.

Nobody here is saying Buffalo is a top tier city; yet - at the same time - if developing countries in the Caribbean and around the world can improve their appearance - so can Buffalo, NY.

Please know that I am not trying to diminish the efforts of the folks on this site, buffalorising, or the Buffalo News; we need stop making excuses for mediocrity, the lack of leadership and demand results.

The problem for leadership is that they have to look at things holistically. When so many neighborhoods are distressed, it's hard to justify focusing all the attention, energy, and resources on just one area. Downtown is important but for someone living in Black Rock or the East Side it's not as important as the things they encounter on a daily basis. Downtown is the city's biggest calling card and it arguably matters more to planners and commercial interests but lavishing money on a single area while others hollow out is just madness in the end and everyone knows that.

It's sad that the National Association of Sports Commisssions was displeased with the area around the convention center but maybe they're used to a Scottsdale lifestyle where everything around the places they choose to meet are basically landscaped parking lots.

The problem for leadership is that they have to look at things holistically. When so many neighborhoods are distressed, it's hard to justify focusing all the attention, energy, and resources on just one area. Downtown is important but for someone living in Black Rock or the East Side it's not as important as the things they encounter on a daily basis. Downtown is the city's biggest calling card and it arguably matters more to planners and commercial interests but lavishing money on a single area while others hollow out is just madness in the end and everyone knows that.

It's sad that the National Association of Sports Commisssions was displeased with the area around the convention center but maybe they're used to a Scottsdale lifestyle where everything around the places they choose to meet are basically landscaped parking lots.

That's fine. Let's just focus on Elmwood Avenue, Delaware Avenue and maybe Hertell and screw the rest.

Regarding the Convention Center - just close it now - as it does more harm than good for our reputation.

It's sad that the National Association of Sports Commisssions was displeased with the area around the convention center but maybe they're used to a Scottsdale lifestyle where everything around the places they choose to meet are basically landscaped parking lots.

Nope - the chose Milwaukee over Buffalo and this year they are meeting in Hartford.

Close the convention center and then what happens to the hotels downtown? I'm sure there are many events and conventions that we get now on a regular basis that would never come back without an actual convention center. Conventions bring in outside money. We'd lose that revenue stream. Not every event needs a giant CC... Buffalo gets lots of small/medium conventions that fit our CC perfectly.

If we can't get a brand new CC, then keep what we have and cleanup what's outside of it.

That's fine. Let's just focus on Elmwood Avenue, Delaware Avenue and maybe Hertell and screw the rest.

Regarding the Convention Center - just close it now - as it does more harm than good for our reputation.

No, developers are welcome to focus soley on Downtown if that's the best place for ROI. But leaders have to spread their interest around. That's all I was saying. The convention center business is so terrible and such a money loser for so many cities like Buffalo that can't afford massive facilities that it's just hard to justify the big expense of building a new one. But I agree that the existing facility needs a major overhaul which would still be costly but not run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. My own city is spending only $20 million on a facelift for our crappy old C.C. as opposed to the $400 million proposal that got shot down. It helps but in the end, you're competing against a number of major facilities for a thin sliver of a shrinking pie.


Nope - the chose Milwaukee over Buffalo and this year they are meeting in Hartford.

Seems like they have a thing for colder climate mid-size market locales! ;)

Seems like they have a thing for colder climate mid-size market locales! ;)
Doesn't everyone? :dunno:

Is this the Milwaukee venue they will be using?
http://g.co/maps/c2p5r

Is this the Milwaukee venue they will be using?
http://g.co/maps/c2p5r

No but the mistake was Googles and not yours. As a poster put below your link pointed out (copied below):

"Troy ‎ - Oct 26, 2007 >>>Attention<<<Incorrect maping of where the MIdwest Express Center is If you look at the positioning of the Midwest Express Center you will find that it is incorrectly indicated as being about one mile east of the correct location which is 400 W Wisconsin Ave. On Milwaukee and Wisconsin Ave you will only you will find a bunch of low class wanna be yuppies driving suv's they can't afford; drinking high priced drinks and eating bland food on their already maxed out credit cards. I digress... if you use this google map to find the Midwest Express Center you will not find your way. "


The convention site chosen is the one linked to below. Click the link below to see the actual site chosen over Buffalo, who could blame them, I would have done the same:

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=midwest+airlines+convention+center&fb=1&gl=us&hq=midwest+airlines+convention+center&cid=13572082736251920468&ei=4BlVT9aSIOzXiQLg7eW0Bg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=photo-link&cd=2&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQnwIoATAA


Or if you prefer take the 3D Virtual Tour: http://wcd.org/virtual_tours/frontier_airlines_center


Then look at the Buffalo CC web site. They are actually touting restaurants 10-15 miles away like the Asa Ransom House sheeeeeeeesh http://www.buffaloconvention.com/page/restaurants/

Again, the problem is the word "never". The 1950's was not buffalo's prime, it was just the point before the biggest declines begain. Buffalo's prime was much earlier... maybe 1890s through 1930s?

Comparatively speaking Buffalo’s peak was in 1901 when the city hosted the Pan Am Expo & rank as the 8th largest US city just one notch above San Francisco. However, Buffalo’s city population peaked in 1950 &, rarer, the metro area peaked circa 1970.

Regarding the Convention Center - just close it now - as it does more harm than good for our reputation.

What’s interesting is how Buffalo made do without a convention center until the early 1970s. Just when the bottom fell out of Buffalo’s economy! There was considerable controversy & debate about the need for a convention center.

As with so many locational decisions, IMO the site for the center was poor. Most cities build their convention centers near the waterfront or on the fringe of downtown, with the benefit of expanding the downtown footprint.

Instead, Buffalo insisted on putting it, along with the convention hotel, right in the core of downtown, near City Hall, messing up the radial grid in the process, and that’s been one of the shortcomings of Buffalo.

Probably due to that a large share of the conventions in Buffalo are political events. Rather than expanding downtown outward like most cities, time after time, Buffalo demolished fine viable buildings in the core of downtown for questionable projects like the convention center.

But, no, since it there, & there's little prospect of anything bigger or better at this time, wouldn't make sense to demolish it.

Id be careful about the use of "never" there, we may be a generation or even two removed from it now, but there were hundreds of thousands of people filling those streets to do their business each day among world class architecture for the first half of the century. Some of the historic pictures are amazing, the intersections were so diverse and lively that I dont even recognize them, despite working down here now.

That was then, but this is now. Buffalo’s original grandiose radial street plan was laid out in grandiose fashion similar to Washington DC. Modeled of course after Washington DC & great European cities like Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Moscow, etc!

However, today’s much depleted Buffalo lacks both the population and commercial activity to fill up both a grid & overlapping grandiose radials streaming out of not one put two public squares. And so today many of the radial arterials are ailing, deviod of both traffic & people.

Cleveland & Detroit were also laid out in similar schemes. The result being a surplus of now redundant radial avenues that like Buffalo’s are today largely empty. By contrast, Toronto manages with a pretty regular grid, no radials, & bigger gaps between the major arteries, adding to its vitality.

That's fine. Let's just focus on Elmwood Avenue, Delaware Avenue and maybe Hertell and screw the rest.

Sounds rather like the priorities of the Artvoice, Forever Elmwood, & the Buffalo Rising crowds! Elmwood, in many respects it matches up with some of the finest boutique streets you’d find in cities like Boston, Chicago, or the Twin Cities. Hertel is Buffalo’s other vibrant commercial artery. As for Delaware, it ranks among the very finest of urban boulevards. However, IMO, its way overdue time to begin acknowledging & connecting with the rest of Buffalo. Particularly that half of Buffalo that lives along & east of Main St.

Main St has LOTS of unrealized potential going for it. Main hosts the longest subway segment between NYC & Chicago. Yet, you’d never know given the near complete lack of transit-oriented development along Main. What I see are lots of vacant building & lots along midtown Main. While there’s recent additions, it tends toward fast-food joints, car washes, and other suburban-style development ringed by acres of parking lots.

Buffalo’s light rail line would have been FAR better had the downtown portion been built in subway. That would have provided climate controlled waiting for passengers during the half of the year that such was much needed. The downtown subway stations could have been linked up to the downtown retail & office buildings. By contrast, the outer portion could have had far more positive impacts on the adjacent neighborhoods had it surfaced north of Cold Spring. Yet driving up Main you’d hardly realize there’s a subway underground.

Better to take better advantage of this fine, albeit too little appreciated, two-thirds of a billion bucks sunken resource!

I dunno I have to agree with Bayviews on this one, even when downtown was bustling it was kinda ugly. This picture from the late 1950's shows the Theater District and it's pretty awful.

http://wnyheritagepress.org/photosofweek/main_chippewa/main_chippewa.htm

Well first I think that while that has a 50s car dominant feel, it is an attractive shot of a vibrant downtown with cars, people, first floor retail, and dense buildings.

I also think that there are examples from our prime that show off much better what I am referring to as a beautiful, vibrant space. Either way, I dont think many would argue our place in history for city importance and architecture.

http://www.printcollection.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/4a24373a.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/385411_10150405789769306_505734305_8288477_166470885_n.jpg



That was then, but this is now. Buffalo’s original grandiose radial street plan was laid out in grandiose fashion similar to Washington DC. Modeled of course after Washington DC & great European cities like Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Moscow, etc!

However, today’s much depleted Buffalo lacks both the population and commercial activity to fill up both a grid & overlapping grandiose radials streaming out of not one put two public squares. And so today many of the radial arterials are ailing, deviod of both traffic & people.

Cleveland & Detroit were also laid out in similar schemes. The result being a surplus of now redundant radial avenues that like Buffalo’s are today largely empty. By contrast, Toronto manages with a pretty regular grid, no radials, & bigger gaps between the major arteries, adding to its vitality.

I brought up the past because the city's historical attractiveness was questioned. I dont agree with a 'that was then, this is now' attitude though. Buffalo was great then because its citizens were innovative and demanded the best. We went out and made our parkways beautiful and brought in the best architects, we have one of the best street grids in the country and one of the best park systems. And they also did it with half the regional population we have now.

The problem is with where we allocate our funds and how we spread out our commerce. The city continues to get drained by the 33 while Broadway and Genesee get neglected. We've spent $74 million in 6 years on demolitions. How many millions go to expanding Transit road for the 3rd time etc? You get what you pay for. It took one generation to ruin our density, lets spend our generation demanding better and fixing it. Id rather do with less and have it done right than just give up and say we dont deserve the best anymore.

The street grid worked fine in 1890 when Buffalo had the same population as now so there is no reason it should not still work as well. the population is not too small to support it. Too poor? maybe, too small? no.

The street grid worked fine in 1890 when Buffalo had the same population as now so there is no reason it should not still work as well. the population is not too small to support it. Too poor? maybe, too small? no.

The big differeance of course today: All the expressways.

They've made more than a few of the radial avenues reduntant.

The problem is with where we allocate our funds and how we spread out our commerce. The city continues to get drained by the 33 while Broadway and Genesee get neglected. We've spent $74 million in 6 years on demolitions. How many millions go to expanding Transit road for the 3rd time etc? You get what you pay for. It took one generation to ruin our density, lets spend our generation demanding better and fixing it. Id rather do with less and have it done right than just give up and say we dont deserve the best anymore.

This of course is what happens when a city declines. There's little in way of significant construction. Thus the contracters who used to build stuff try to stay in business by pointless demolitions. The city raises old houses & replaces them with cheap wooden/vinyl jobs that are guaranteed to be worn out sooner than later....And then, another generation of junk housing.

Per the latest official Census Buffalo is currently the 37th largest combined statistical area in the US and 2nd largest in NY State, but look out Albany is catching up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_Combined_Statistical_Areas

Buffalo Airport expansion plans

The NFTA and its consultants now envision about 8 million travelers per year by 2030 -- a major spurt from 5.4 million in 2011. An overflow of Ontario license plates in the airport parking lots tells the story -- 8 percent were Canadian in 1997, compared with 40 percent today. ...

Major components of the airport's 20-year master plan include:


Parking capacity would grow from the current 6,800 vehicles to about 10,500 -- some of it to be completed next year.
A long-discussed overpass from the terminus of the Kensington Expressway, providing direct access to the airport.
New entryways to improve foot traffic inside the terminal from the current ticketing area to flight gates.
An expanded baggage-retrieval area with modern "slope plate" carousels, replacing the current flatbed system.
The addition of three new gates, with plans for more if needed.
New taxiways to reduce the need for small aircraft to cross runways, as well as relocated emergency and maintenance facilities and an upgraded runway approach near the Thruway.
Continued noise abatement efforts.
The price tag is enormous -- approaching the $585 million the NFTA spent on construction of Metro Rail almost three decades ago. But planners see the Federal Aviation Administration assuming about $184 million of the expansion costs, with the NFTA picking up about $138 million, New York State about $31 million and other sources about $53 million.

None of the money is guaranteed, Vanecek stressed. He said the authority will approach the FAA and the state Department of Transportation incrementally, as needs develop over the course of the 20-year master plan. And the authority must compete with applications from other airports for a limited pot of funds.

FULL - http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article729019.ece

So one of the positives things that Buffalo has done right has been the airport. I dont understand why Buffalo shouldnt invest more money into it besides these upgrades. (adding new gates and parking)

If i were the NFTA I would try to expand / another terminal (there is plenty of land around the airport) and try to make Buffalo a legit airport. Have flights from Buffalo to the Carribean or other crazy places like that. Make it a REAL international airport! With cheaper ticket prices, canadians would flock over even more so then they are now. Torontos Person airport could never compete with Buffalo prices. But thats just me.

As for HSBC: If and when they move out of HSBC tower. The best idea i have for it is simply call up the indians and renovate it into a hotel / casino. This way the Casino / hotel is in the middle of the city and people are more likely to come downtown. The casino / hotel isnt in a "bad" area and isnt a bad idea. Its a win win for the indians and the city.

If i were the NFTA I would try to expand / another terminal (there is plenty of land around the airport) and try to make Buffalo a legit airport. Have flights from Buffalo to the Carribean or other crazy places like that. Make it a REAL international airport!
I thought i remember someone talking about runway length when it comes to being a true International aiport. The Niagara Falls NFTA airport has a very long runway already, so they were planning to use that airport for long distance international flights. I'm curious though how much room they really have to lengthen the Buffalo runways.

I thought i remember someone talking about runway length when it comes to being a true International aiport. The Niagara Falls NFTA airport has a very long runway already, so they were planning to use that airport for long distance international flights. I'm curious though how much room they really have to lengthen the Buffalo runways.

Typical of WNY - Have two things to do the job of one.

Unless a longer runway is not possible in Cheektowaga... then it's a necessity.

I've been waiting for the Buffalo Airport to land Virgin America to provide non-stop flights to the west coast. Southwest fills their flights all the time to Las Vegas and Phoenix. I feel Virgin America could do the same to San Fran and LAX. They pulled out of Toronto because of high fees and other reasons. I think they would be an awesome fit in Buffalo. Virgin America makes flying fun and it's quite an experience.

I thought i remember someone talking about runway length when it comes to being a true International aiport. The Niagara Falls NFTA airport has a very long runway already, so they were planning to use that airport for long distance international flights. I'm curious though how much room they really have to lengthen the Buffalo runways.

the longest runway at BNIA is 8,827 Ft while NF is 9,829. Im sure they could go over the highway (its been done before) or on the other end knock down a bowling alley and a few houses and you could find an extra 1,000 ft. ( i know 1,000 Ft is longer then i think) but the NFTA bought up land / the old huge factory where the current airport / other runway currently sit. why not buy off a few peoples houses / a bowling alley and extend the runway and rework the road traffic.

As for Adding Virgin America: I think its just the size of the airport and not enough traffic flow. But honestly Canadians would 100% come over the boarder to get direct flights to LA or other western big cities.

Cool shots, you guys should get your streetcar lines back.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/385411_10150405789769306_505734305_8288477_166470885_n.jpg

I've been waiting for the Buffalo Airport to land Virgin America to provide non-stop flights to the west coast. Southwest fills their flights all the time to Las Vegas and Phoenix. I feel Virgin America could do the same to San Fran and LAX. They pulled out of Toronto because of high fees and other reasons. I think they would be an awesome fit in Buffalo. Virgin America makes flying fun and it's quite an experience.

Agreed! I've been waiting for that as well. If not Virgin, then some carrier. I thought that Southwest was going to add an Oakland flight, but it didn't happen. I don't think Virgin would move into Buffalo anytime soon, unfortunately. They are only in a handful of big cities with major airports and they probably view Buffalo as outside their market. Buffalo has JetBlue which is on par with Virgin America, I think.

Agreed! I've been waiting for that as well. If not Virgin, then some carrier. I thought that Southwest was going to add an Oakland flight, but it didn't happen. I don't think Virgin would move into Buffalo anytime soon, unfortunately. They are only in a handful of big cities with major airports and they probably view Buffalo as outside their market. Buffalo has JetBlue which is on par with Virgin America, I think.

Virgin America runs the planes for Direct Air for all of it's flights out of NFNY. FWIW the NFTA has budgeted monies in its last few budgets to subsidise any carrier that would be willing to add non stop flights to Denver, SF or LA, so far no takers. I don't know if that is in the new budget for the upcoming year.

Agreed! I've been waiting for that as well. If not Virgin, then some carrier. I thought that Southwest was going to add an Oakland flight, but it didn't happen. I don't think Virgin would move into Buffalo anytime soon, unfortunately. They are only in a handful of big cities with major airports and they probably view Buffalo as outside their market. Buffalo has JetBlue which is on par with Virgin America, I think.

Southwest does go to Burbank, vegas and a few other places out west. so maybe Virgin doesnt want to compete with southwest??

Like i was saying before .....NFTA needs to be more active in trying to get other air carriers to the BNIA airport. They could make this thing work and be much bigger then it currently is.

NFTA needs to be more active in trying to get other air carriers to the BNIA airport
I'm fairly certain that they already are very active in that regard.

The Buffalo airport seems very similar to the Milwaukee one, similar sized cities next to larger similarly sized cities. Milwaukee went from 6.5 million passengers in 2004 to 9.5 million in 2010 whilst BNIA went from 4.2 million to 5.2 million. To me the goal of 8 million per year seems reasonable. That would put BNIA into the top 50 North American airports in traffic. In 2010 it ranked #60 up from 2.9 million and a #75 ranking in 1997 the first full year of the airports operation.

Pittsburgh's drop from 21 million passengers to 8 million is remarkable, by far the biggest impact of 9/11 on any US airport,


ftp://public-ftp.agl.faa.gov/Materials%20Released%20Related%20to%20the%20OM%20EIS/3-31-2005%20World%20Gateway%20Related%20Documents/1809_178.pdf

The Buffalo airport seems very similar to the Milwaukee one, similar sized cities next to larger similarly sized cities. Milwaukee went from 6.5 million passengers in 2004 to 9.5 million in 2010 whilst BNIA went from 4.2 million to 5.2 million. To me the goal of 8 million per year seems reasonable. That would put BNIA into the top 50 North American airports in traffic. In 2010 it ranked #60 up from 2.9 million and a #75 ranking in 1997 the first full year of the airports operation.

Pittsburgh's drop from 21 million passengers to 8 million is remarkable, by far the biggest impact of 9/11 on any US airport,


ftp://public-ftp.agl.faa.gov/Materials%20Released%20Related%20to%20the%20OM%20EIS/3-31-2005%20World%20Gateway%20Related%20Documents/1809_178.pdf


Pittsburgh lost a key US Airways hub so the high traffic count they previously enjoyed reflected non-local activity. Where I live, traffic at all the region's airports is basically flat due to the economy, TSA crap and high fare prices.

I have been wondering when they would announce a new carrier into Buffalo. Virgin America seems like a good fit, pulling people from Buffalo and Toronto to the west coast. The BNIA has been growing for quite some time, with more coming down the road. Also, it's nice to see some additional investment with the new hotels (Marriott Village) near the airport

Pittsburgh lost a key US Airways hub so the high traffic count they previously enjoyed reflected non-local activity. Where I live, traffic at all the region's airports is basically flat due to the economy, TSA crap and high fare prices.

I remember always getting routed through Pittsburgh back in the day when I would fly USAirways and they were the main carrier into Buffalo. You had to go through Philly or Pitt. Prices were so high back in the day, we were getting robbed by USAirways. Pitt built that huge airport and I remember being very impressed- it was always packed- especially around the holidays and was almost like a mall. The last time I flew to Pitt it was after USAirways withdrew and that was my end destination. It was crazy how dead that airport is now. It is now just a huge regional aiport.

Cool shots, you guys should get your streetcar lines back.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/385411_10150405789769306_505734305_8288477_166470885_n.jpg

Nice pics!

Like most cities, Buffalo once had a big streetcar network. However, the IRC, the private operator never upgraded from the old fashioned streetcars to the modern PCC streetcars. So the ridership & popularity of the IRC suffered a steep dive. The streetcars & their tracks & overhead wires were scrapped circa 1951. They were replaced with motor buses following mostly the same routes.

A couple of decades ago, Buffalo’s NFTA did buy some surplus PCCs streetcars from Cleveland. With the stated intention of resuming some streetcar service, presumably on the tracks of the current light rail line. Never happened though.

Still, Buffalo’s lucky to be one of the smallest cities with a modern, & pretty well patronized, light rail line.

Kid's Museum Proposal for Canalside
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/downtown/article756178.ece


Refurbished Metro Cars finally ready for service
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article755156.ece


Push to Improve the Kensington
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article754336.ece

Niagara Bicycle Building

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Full -
http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/03/niagara-bicycle-building-to-create-green-downtown-gateway.html

Kid's Museum Proposal for Canalside
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/downtown/article756178.ece



YAWN...

Still, Buffalo’s lucky to be one of the smallest cities with a modern, & pretty well patronized, light rail line.

Agreed. I've been taking the train continuously since November to work downtown and have noticed that ridership has been building and is showing no signs of slowing. With gas prices climbing these past couple months, the trains are packed wall to wall during morning and evening rush hours.

If there was ever a time for us to start heavily investing in more light rail lines or a companion trolley system, it's now.

It was funny reading the comments on the Buffalo News website under the story of the refurbished cars today. Stupid people making claims that nobody uses metro rail and how our precious tax dollars should be used on more important things (probably on adding "Intelligent Design" to school curriculums or finding President Obama's "real" birth certificate) and then seeing that these people live out in the sticks or out of state completely.
I'd love to show them how how busy the service is on any given morning.

Giving light to Buffalo's historic past

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.’s directors agreed to underwrite a test case, conducted by Buffalo’s Foit-Albert Associates in conjunction with Quebec-based Ambiances Design Productions, that could eventually see many of the grain elevators along with two bridges along the Buffalo River given an eye-catching series of lights. ...

Officials hope to reach out to the owners of all 15 grain elevators — some of which are operating and others that are long vacant — to see who may be interested in allowing their structures to be lit up as a means of promoting Buffalo’s waterfront and, simultaneously, projecting a better image for the city. The study will determine who is interested and how much it will cost, with the ECHDC bearing a significant portion of the expenses.

Representatives from the ECHDC said they hope to have at least one elevator lit this summer. ...


full - http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/03/12/giving-light-to-buffalos-historic-past.html?page=all

Giving light to Buffalo's historic past

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.’s directors agreed to underwrite a test case, conducted by Buffalo’s Foit-Albert Associates in conjunction with Quebec-based Ambiances Design Productions, that could eventually see many of the grain elevators along with two bridges along the Buffalo River given an eye-catching series of lights. ...

Officials hope to reach out to the owners of all 15 grain elevators — some of which are operating and others that are long vacant — to see who may be interested in allowing their structures to be lit up as a means of promoting Buffalo’s waterfront and, simultaneously, projecting a better image for the city. The study will determine who is interested and how much it will cost, with the ECHDC bearing a significant portion of the expenses.

Representatives from the ECHDC said they hope to have at least one elevator lit this summer. ...


full - http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/03/12/giving-light-to-buffalos-historic-past.html?page=all

I think this is a giant waste of money and power ......

The lights would most likely be LED's, so I doubt they would use a ton of power compared with how other buildings are lit.

The new LED lights on the Peace Bridge look really great.

I think this is a giant waste of money and power ......

100% true - seems very envoronmentally unsound, no matter how they light it they will be increasing the carbon footprint for naught. Plus picture it in a couple of years with half the lights out like that neon eysore of the half tango dancers on elmwood. It sends a message all right.... Yuchhhh

They probably want something like this. At the 1:15 mark he starts talking about the silos, how they were the shame of the town. Now they do light shows and in the summer project old movies that people can watch from their boats and docks.

LHay7yUwRP4

The lights would most likely be LED's, so I doubt they would use a ton of power compared with how other buildings are lit.

The new LED lights on the Peace Bridge look really great.

Agreed. We are the City of Lights, this is how you turn something unique to Buffalo into another cool area for very little cost or effort. I cant wait to see them lit up.

Looks awesome, I guess I was wrong. Go for it.

Noticed a third Mariott flagged hotel is going up across from BNIA.

Marriott Townplace Suites to be exact. That sign has been up for a few months now.
Based on their website, they seem to be aimed for more long-term travelers like businessmen or people coming in from Canada who fly out of the airport.

Groce. Here's a lovely example:

http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/brandgeneric/tp/tp_home01.jpg

After this one is built, 3 Marriott flagged properties will stand where that closed and run-down Radisson was. Huge improvement! It's awesome to see the benefits of a growing airport in our area

After this one is built, 3 Marriott flagged properties will stand where that closed and run-down Radisson was. Huge improvement! It's awesome to see the benefits of a growing airport in our area

thats why i posted earlier that the Airport should try expanding / try to bring in more carriers and new destinations. Get flights to the carribean or what not ....canadians will come to Buffalo to fly out and it will work.

9 to 10 million passengers should be do able at BNIA if they expand the right way.

Cool shots, you guys should get your streetcar lines back.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/385411_10150405789769306_505734305_8288477_166470885_n.jpg

Technically Buffalo does have "streetcars"... we just need to incorporate them into vehicular traffic on Main Street without majorly affecting rail stations. ;)

Groce. Here's a lovely example:

http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/brandgeneric/tp/tp_home01.jpg

Awesome, would be a GREAT addition to THAT area. Totally fit in with a modern airport area of a million plus metro.

Buffalo Business First is reporting that the Donovan building will have a restaurant on the ground floor. Does anyone know more about this?

Tishman Building remake would include hotel

Planners are offering the first official glimpse in what the future holds for the Tishman Building in downtown Buffalo.

That glimpse will be provided during the March 27 Buffalo Planning Board meeting with architects and developers representing the Hamister Group will provide an overview of the proposed $40 million makeover of the central business district landmark.

The Amherst-based Hamister Group has the 20-story, 180,000-square-foot building, located at 447 Main St., under contract, with the deal expected to close in the next few weeks. The building is owned by the Lillian Goldman Family Trust, a New York-based investment group

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/03/19/tischman-building-remake-would-include.html

Amherst fast-tracks $15 million complex

A $15 million luxury apartment-hotel-retail project — the first of its kind in the region — was fast-tracked by the Amherst Town Board on Monday night. The 4.6-acre development will feature a 105-room Staybridge Suites hotel and two other buildings with first-floor retail and 42 luxury apartments.

The development, dubbed "University Place," would be located just west of the University at Buffalo, between Sweet Home and Rensch roads, next door to the 600-bed Villas at Rensch student housing development under construction for opening this fall.

If all goes as planned, the mixed-use project would be completed by summer 2013, said project developers. Faced with no objections from neighboring property owners, the board unanimously approved rezoning for the project Monday and waived its usually one-meeting waiting period.

Assuming no unanticipated road blocks, University Place will be the first mixed-use project of its kind to gain traction since the spectacularfailure of the gun club project on Maple Road.

Like that project, this one is expected to take advantage of its proximity to the the UB campus, which is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the site.

Aside from the six-story hotel anchoring the west end of the site, two other four-story buildings comprising a total of 20,540 square feet would feature first-floor restaurant and retail space, with luxury apartments on the upper floors.

"The target market for these 42 apartments is young professionals, faculty and staff at UB," said lawyer, Sean Hopkins, who represented Ellicott Development Co. and Bevilacqua Development on this project. "We are very confident there is ample demand already in place for those units."


http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/amherst/article771479.ece

Amherst fast-tracks $15 million complex

A $15 million luxury apartment-hotel-retail project — the first of its kind in the region — was fast-tracked by the Amherst Town Board on Monday night. The 4.6-acre development will feature a 105-room Staybridge Suites hotel and two other buildings with first-floor retail and 42 luxury apartments.

The development, dubbed "University Place," would be located just west of the University at Buffalo, between Sweet Home and Rensch roads, next door to the 600-bed Villas at Rensch student housing development under construction for opening this fall.

If all goes as planned, the mixed-use project would be completed by summer 2013, said project developers. Faced with no objections from neighboring property owners, the board unanimously approved rezoning for the project Monday and waived its usually one-meeting waiting period.

Assuming no unanticipated road blocks, University Place will be the first mixed-use project of its kind to gain traction since the spectacularfailure of the gun club project on Maple Road.

Like that project, this one is expected to take advantage of its proximity to the the UB campus, which is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the site.

Aside from the six-story hotel anchoring the west end of the site, two other four-story buildings comprising a total of 20,540 square feet would feature first-floor restaurant and retail space, with luxury apartments on the upper floors.

"The target market for these 42 apartments is young professionals, faculty and staff at UB," said lawyer, Sean Hopkins, who represented Ellicott Development Co. and Bevilacqua Development on this project. "We are very confident there is ample demand already in place for those units."


http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/amherst/article771479.ece

I drive by that open lot all the time going to the Pepsi center to play hockey .... i think thats a great idea!

I drive by that open lot all the time going to the Pepsi center to play hockey .... i think thats a great idea!

My wife's parents relocated from their native South to a condo off of Chestnut Ridge near Sweethome. They are astounded by the amount of construcitoin going on all around them on Sweethome and on Chestnut as well as on Maple itself. They wish they had moved up sooner.

From Buffalo Rising:

Vertical Mixed-Use Good Fit for Tishman Building

Redevelopment plans for the Tishman Building will bring 24/7 life to a strategic downtown corner. The 20-story building has struggled to attract office tenants since National Fuel moved out in 2003. The building's 9,000 sq.ft. floors, prime location, and sweeping views are ideal for the uses Hamister Group has in mind for the property.

Carmina Wood Morris has designed the $35 million project that calls for a Hilton Garden Inn on the first 14 floors, three floors of apartments and three floors of office space on floors 18 through 20.

Plans call for a bar/lounge and business center for Hilton Garden Inn guests on the first floor. The existing lobby that was recently upgraded will be used as the office and residential entrance. A new lobby for hotel guests will be created fronting Lafayette Square.

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More renders and full article here : http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/03/vertical-mixed-use-good-fit-for-tishman-building.html

ps - I wish a buffalo developer would actually pay a pro to do a render. These constant sketch-up models look so grade school.

That would sure bring life to that emerging area of Downtown Buffalo. Let's hope it moves forward.

One of my friends purchased a condo here in Toronto in an old office tower. It may not be the prettiest of buildings but due the fact it was a former office the ceiling heights are very tall. I wonder if HSBC could ever become a condo?

One of my friends purchased a condo here in Toronto in an old office tower. It may not be the prettiest of buildings but due the fact it was a former office the ceiling heights are very tall. I wonder if HSBC could ever become a condo?

I should think that the Rand and the Liberty buildings will become lofts and apartments long before anyone sets upon the Marine Midland Tower(HSBC is gone so I'm calling it by what it was built as! ;)). As M&T Bank grows, it may take the tower anyway....or build a new one! (?)

I seriously don't think M&T would ever take over HSBC tower. Too costly a renovation especially when they have two perfectly good buildings just down Main st. Not to mention that M&T has a decent chunk of real estate in the Maryland/DC area... it's region with the most growth.
If anything, I could see First Niagara moving in there in a limited capacity if it outgrows it's new Larkin District HQ.
Of course, I can't picture anything there until the building receives a top to bottom renovation.

It's just too blah for any company looking to impress to want to relocate there.

I should think that the Rand and the Liberty buildings will become lofts and apartments long before anyone sets upon the Marine Midland Tower(HSBC is gone so I'm calling it by what it was built as! ;)). As M&T Bank grows, it may take the tower anyway....or build a new one! (?)

Hopefully build a new one. Buffalo really needs a new modern office tower in it's skyline.

Hopefully build a new one. Buffalo really needs a new modern office tower in it's skyline.

Long overdue. Many major corporations will not even consider office space in anything but LEED certified buildings. Buffalo's inventory of midcentury marvels can't attract anything but bottomfeeders in search of cheap bulk office space. The Marine Midland Tower nee HSBC, will need a thorough renovation to position it among the best properties in the region.

Hopefully build a new one. Buffalo really needs a new modern office tower in it's skyline.

No, That last thing Buffalo needs is a tower. What it needs is density and infill. That is what will create the lively streets that people like.

There's a rumor floating around that the Rand Bldg. is for sale- haven't been able to find anything online. Asked a few brokers and they hadn't heard or seen anything. Possibly quietly being shopped? Would make for some interesting apartments and take some old class B space of the market if converted.

No, That last thing Buffalo needs is a tower. What it needs is density and infill. That is what will create the lively streets that people like.

I'd like to see both, frankly. New sparkling office space that can compete with suburban Class A for tennants, as well as infill and restored older buildings.

I posted an image of Dallas in another forum that was right under a shot of Buffalo. It struck me how downtown Dallas was still a sea of parking lots while Buffalo's CBD was tight and dense. It's all a matter of perspective of course, but no one here should ever feel like Buffalo is in the worst state of affairs density-wise.

I'm curious to see what kind of renovation the HSBC tower will be getting, if it's even getting one.

I was recently in Houston, they have lots of tall modern skyscrapers but it was not dense at all. It was also pretty dead with not a lot of people around.

Just talked with Mark Croce- Curtiss boutique hotel project will be starting late summer. Redoing plans to ditch banquet space and planned penthouse level (SHPO concerns). Will have more hotel rooms than originally planned.

Dusting off plans for Saturn Rings building on Pearl- has some tenants interested in the building.

Statler taking a somewhat back seat while he focuses on Curtiss. Will be opening a jazz club/restaurant though later this year. Lease is out for a bakery/cafe- it would be his first tenant in Statler. ECC Culinary and Sports Hall of Fame for Statler- dead.

Just talked with Mark Croce- Curtiss boutique hotel project will be starting late summer. Redoing plans to ditch banquet space and planned penthouse level (SHPO concerns). Will have more hotel rooms than originally planned.

Dusting off plans for Saturn Rings building on Pearl- has some tenants interested in the building.

Statler taking a somewhat back seat while he focuses on Curtiss. Will be opening a jazz club/restaurant though later this year. Lease is out for a bakery/cafe- it would be his first tenant in Statler. ECC Culinary and Sports Hall of Fame for Statler- dead.

SHIPO takes way too hard a stance sometimes. That penthouse did not detract form the historic parts of the building and actually was a decent addition. I am assuming by dumping the banquette space he means he is dumping the wing that extended over the drive through area where he tore down the Continental. If so that would be a shame.

He needs to do work on the Livery next door. Hope that one is not another preservation tragedy some day.