Buffalo - War Memorial Auditorium / Convention Center?

[ECoastTransplant]

The Lehigh Terminal site for a new convention center (parking lots behind the HSBC Atrium stretching to Michigan Avenue and the casino) has been advocated by the preservation community for some time. Considering the building is dead most days of the year, a prime on-the-water location isn't ideal. Thank God Gorski didn't get his way- he would have wiped out three blocks of Ellicott and Washington Streets.

[BuffCity]

how many levels does the current facility have?

The Aud idea can work with DT's expanded idea and there is not a reason to have a 150' ceiling, I was actually thinking that it could be a 3-4 level complex.

modern look - there are so many options as to what could be done with windows, lighting or landscapes...perhaps a glass roof could make things brighter...and at night this could be a whole new complex.

Now reality tells me that Buffalo needs a convention center yes, but the golden egg idea for everything else drives me insane...canal club...waterfront, its all the same.

the fact that the government is trying to jumpstart development in these areas should be warning enough to private investors not to invest in something that already can't market itself. Buffalo has been around for almost 200 years and the waterfront has never been developed, not saying it cant be...but the gov't should be the last ones trying to do this. I can see cleaning the soil, improving the streets, bridges or other gov't responsibilities...but to go as far as to say we should load it up with silly projects from the lower terrace to lackawanna is stupid.

people in this state love being spoon-fed, we are hoping an praying for a federal courthouse? the people of Buffalo need to open their eyes and tell Albany to take it in the ass, then take on the mindset of places like Jax or even Nashville.

I'm on a rant, why...fuckin taxes suck and its cold.

[DallasTexan]

You guys will loooove my plan!

It's fabulous enough even for Atlanta. I stare out my window sometimes thinking about it.

[BuffCity]

please tell.

[Sabretooth]

Well show it!! You're starting to seem like Bass Pro now. Any minute now!!!

Maybe the building is just jinxed...

[homestar]

I bet it involves Z-Brick.

... and lots of awnings.

[WIGS]

BuffCity, your idea is good, but would require way too much funding to retrofit the Aud.
why do you think BassPro wasn't giving in to that idea, even with $60 or so some odd million dollars (66 mil?).

DT, I think we are all really curious to hear your ideas!

[BuffCity]

money is only paper...

[Sabretooth]

Seriously, it's backed by "faith in the US government".

Doesn't seem to me like something that should be too difficult to come by.

[BuffCity]

just print more or steal it...worked for the Kennedys.

[DallasTexan]

I'm working on it... I just had to do some laundry and other things tonight.

[bjfan82]

DT, if the Issa Tower gets built, and includes your coveted ' W ' hotel, then we'll be able to say that our hotels would've last been renovated in the Clinton 44 era not the Reagan era. Sweet.

[Sabretooth]

Yeah, like she'd get elected.

I think this country needs another Gerald Ford. A guy who flies under the radar, isn't extraordinary but is solid nonetheless, and somehow manages to fix everything (if only for a little while).

My 3¢.

[DallasTexan]

Okay, here is my very preliminary plan.

In a situation involving redeveloping an existing building as large as the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, unique ideas and solutions are needed. My proposal is to build a new convention center connected to the Aud -- by building over Main Street. Yes, that's right -- over Main.

In my plan, the main portion of the Aud would be renovated completely into top tier space with a variety of functions - meeting rooms, an auditorium, exhibition space, etc.

The front "entrance" of the Aud would serve as a foyer to the building. The two curved sections would serve two different purposes -- one as either a restaurant or retail space and the other as a museum - chronicling either the history of the city of Buffalo and its development or the history of sports in Buffalo (a Buffalo sports hall of fame, perhaps?).

The new exhibition building would be built on the site of the current office building and parking lot and would be bounded by Washington and Hanover Streets. It would be raised off of the ground in order to connect directly to the Aud. The addition would function as space for events that require one level, high ceilings, and few columns. Since the metro rail station would still be located under the building, a new "Civic Center" station would be designated making it quite easy for conventioneers traveling to the center from other downtown hotels on Main. Escalators would connect to the main level from the station.

In the front of the new exhibition hall (bordering Main and the 190) would be a miniature plaza and pocket park. The new building would have a dramatic glass façade in front of Main and on Washington Street, which would serve as the primary entrance to the structure. The view from the plaza would look similar to this:



From Washington Street, the façade would largely be the same but with some retail offerings on the ground level:



On the block south of the complex (which is bounded by Hanover, Main, Perry, and Washington), a new 4 star convention hotel (with a flag such as Omni, Westin, Sheraton, or Hilton) would be constructed with at least 500 rooms. The building would sit on a podium that would contain even more meeting space and a large grand ballroom. The hotel and base would be connected to the center via a sky bridge for easy access for conventioneers and would tie in directly to the new exhibition level. The base would also have retail and restaurant space and would aim to sign tenants such as P.F. Chang’s, Fleming’s, McCormick & Schmick’s, Ruth’s Chris and other upscale chains (conventioneers love them). Amenities for downtown office workers and residents (such as an upscale fitness club) would be available.

The hotel I envision would look somewhat similar to this:



Here is a map of the entire complex – keep in mind that this is from scratch and is not very professional at this point.



Thoughts? Too "trendy" for you guys?

[BuffCity]

ummm hell yea!

what about parking though?

great project DT, looks like nothing Buffalo has ever seen...or probably ever will see. lol

the hotel is a great idea...time for Buffalo to move out of the 80's.

[DallasTexan]

Parking for the hotel would be built under the hotel. Same for the CC.

Novel concept for Buffalo, I know

[WIGS]

I think it's a grand vision and would be perfect matched with MetroRail expansion to the airport.
Conventioneers would get right from the airport to the CC direct.

[BuffCity]

if the rail expands, I think the Airport is the most important direction.

[ECoastTransplant]

Good vision! But does it doom the inner harbor to be permanently separated (psychologically) from the balance of Main Street ala HSBC Center and I190? If you can't see 'there', you're unlikely to head 'there' as a pedestrian.

[DallasTexan]

Though I took that into consideration and envision the building with a dramatic glass facade to stand out, I don't think it's particurlarly a concern as the area is already hidden and hemmed in with the I-190 and Skyway blocking everything from sight already.

This is a tricky area to work with.