Downtown Construction Update (Buffalo, Union, Lockport: subsidized, moving, food)

[Checkered24]

Rome wasn't built in a day. Compared to a decade ago, Buffalo has seen a lot of improvement. There isn't a major corporation showing up with 25,000 jobs in Buffalo right now, but having some newer, better looking buildings does help make downtown appear more desirable. Nobody wants to live, or open a business in an area that looks rundown and on the decline. Downtown Buffalo is starting to look like it is on the rebound with the renovations and new buildings. I have no idea if any of it will turn Buffalo completely around, but these projects aren't hurting either.

That said, I have to add this. Lately, every thread on Buffalo turns into a discussion of whether or not it is turning around, and a lot of them end up locked. This thread was intended for updates on downtown discussion. Can't we leave it at that? The population loss, and particulars of whether or not Buffalo is rebounding or sinking has certainly been discussed elsewhere, and been basically beaten to death.

[VegasRocks]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

You know- the courthouse may not bring many jobs, but the land value in and around the new build nationally recognized for its design, is going up every day. The Statler is now in high demand. This part of the city is well on its way and looking to the future. Not only that, businesses like newer downtowns, where they can potentially settle in Buffalo's Modern growing district around Delaware. Every step helps. I can assure you Buffalo will never drop below 250,000. We are bottoming out, and there is no room for more decline. After this recession is eventually over, watch Buffalo scream ahead of many of the other cities in the nation. We are a strong city with a strong past and a strong future. Just look at the BNMC!

Buffalo & WNY was in it's own recession for the last 40 years
and when the national recession is over, Buffalo will still be in it's own
recession. Most of the only population left is you either work for
the government (but you got to be related or know someone) or
be on welfare.

[Canerican]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

Rome wasn't built in a day. Compared to a decade ago, Buffalo has seen a lot of improvement. There isn't a major corporation showing up with 25,000 jobs in Buffalo right now, but having some newer, better looking buildings does help make downtown appear more desirable. Nobody wants to live, or open a business in an area that looks rundown and on the decline. Downtown Buffalo is starting to look like it is on the rebound with the renovations and new buildings. I have no idea if any of it will turn Buffalo completely around, but these projects aren't hurting either.

That said, I have to add this. Lately, every thread on Buffalo turns into a discussion of whether or not it is turning around, and a lot of them end up locked. This thread was intended for updates on downtown discussion. Can't we leave it at that? The population loss, and particulars of whether or not Buffalo is rebounding or sinking has certainly been discussed elsewhere, and been basically beaten to death.

I wouldn't have a problem not posting, but you post an argument, and then say, "seriously guy, you ought not post about this."

Let me make one point, and I'll leave it.

Rome wasn't built in a day, true. But Buffalo WAS built over 50 years, and it is hanging on for dear life. Saying that Buffalo is in need of more buildings is honestly ridiculous. We have a city built for 500k. We need to change the mentality, and start living like a midsize city. Buffalo's current track is unsustainable. We are living like a big city, on the resources of a town like Toledo.

We need to cut taxes, attract some businesses. Knock some old buildings down, cut welfare, cut unions, then if we have done that and we have a surplus, improve our already oversized infrastructure, and leave well enough alone.

Buffalo has a big ego problem. We are a city of 270k, that thinks it is a city of 1mm.

At this point we are worse off than Stockton, Toledo, or Riverside, cities which we were once far greater than. We need to cut back on the ego, and start thinking like a smaller community, and then I think that we can get our heads together for good, and not end up being a laughingstock of the nation.

[cheese9988]

Originally Posted by Canerican

I wouldn't have a problem not posting, but you post an argument, and then say, "seriously guy, you ought not post about this."

Let me make one point, and I'll leave it.

Rome wasn't built in a day, true. But Buffalo WAS built over 50 years, and it is hanging on for dear life. Saying that Buffalo is in need of more buildings is honestly ridiculous. We have a city built for 500k. We need to change the mentality, and start living like a midsize city. Buffalo's current track is unsustainable. We are living like a big city, on the resources of a town like Toledo.

We need to cut taxes, attract some businesses. Knock some old buildings down, cut welfare, cut unions, then if we have done that and we have a surplus, improve our already oversized infrastructure, and leave well enough alone.

Buffalo has a big ego problem. We are a city of 270k, that thinks it is a city of 1mm.

At this point we are worse off than Stockton, Toledo, or Riverside, cities which we were once far greater than. We need to cut back on the ego, and start thinking like a smaller community, and then I think that we can get our heads together for good, and not end up being a laughingstock of the nation.

I was going to post about how new buildings do boost morale for the city people, especially if there is talk of a skyscraper. However you are correct, and this goes for every WNY city, we are trying to support too much. Buffalo built most of the infrastructure and places for entertainment when it thought it would be one of the largest cities in the country.

We don't need unions and from reading the paper today, they were one of the reasons for the failure of the last constitutional convention for the state. That and the leaders wanted to have one vote for everything put on the table that needed to be changed. The state and the cities needs to cut spending and consolidate and then maybe we can have a normal tax base. If GM can do it, so can NY. Now is the time to do it, we are already in a recession and we have peoples attention.

[Checkered24]

Originally Posted by Canerican

I wouldn't have a problem not posting, but you post an argument, and then say, "seriously guy, you ought not post about this."

Let me make one point, and I'll leave it.

Rome wasn't built in a day, true. But Buffalo WAS built over 50 years, and it is hanging on for dear life. Saying that Buffalo is in need of more buildings is honestly ridiculous. We have a city built for 500k. We need to change the mentality, and start living like a midsize city. Buffalo's current track is unsustainable. We are living like a big city, on the resources of a town like Toledo.

We need to cut taxes, attract some businesses. Knock some old buildings down, cut welfare, cut unions, then if we have done that and we have a surplus, improve our already oversized infrastructure, and leave well enough alone.

Buffalo has a big ego problem. We are a city of 270k, that thinks it is a city of 1mm.

At this point we are worse off than Stockton, Toledo, or Riverside, cities which we were once far greater than. We need to cut back on the ego, and start thinking like a smaller community, and then I think that we can get our heads together for good, and not end up being a laughingstock of the nation.

I think what I am doing is trying to respond to the line of discussion, but then adding that maybe it would be nice if it remained contained in a specific thread, and not contaminate every thread in this section. I think you would have to admit that much of the recent discussion about the city and area has turned towards the progress and fortunes of the area. I have also seen the moderator close many of those threads because of it. It is worth discussing, but is it worth steering every discussion towards this end?

I do think you often have very good points and arguments too. I just wish they didn't turn every Buffalo related thread into the same discussion....

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

Rome wasn't built in a day. Compared to a decade ago, Buffalo has seen a lot of improvement. There isn't a major corporation showing up with 25,000 jobs in Buffalo right now, but having some newer, better looking buildings does help make downtown appear more desirable. Nobody wants to live, or open a business in an area that looks rundown and on the decline. Downtown Buffalo is starting to look like it is on the rebound with the renovations and new buildings. I have no idea if any of it will turn Buffalo completely around, but these projects aren't hurting either.

That said, I have to add this. Lately, every thread on Buffalo turns into a discussion of whether or not it is turning around, and a lot of them end up locked. This thread was intended for updates on downtown discussion. Can't we leave it at that? The population loss, and particulars of whether or not Buffalo is rebounding or sinking has certainly been discussed elsewhere, and been basically beaten to death.

Thank you Checkered!

[Buffalonian4life]

Ground Broken on Inner Harbor Streets!
(Finally)!

Dan Fisher September 8, 2009 1:00 PM: BUFFALO RISING

Ground Broken on Inner Harbor Streets | City | Buffalo Rising







In May, we got word that four Inner Harbor streets are to be restored. As planned, ground was broken on the site today by Mayor Byron Brown and Congressman Brian Higgins to kick off construction that is scheduled to be completed next August.

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Higgins managed to secure $3.8 million in federal funds, which includes $2.3 million in federal stimulus money for the project that will be overseen by the City's Department of Public Works. The federal funds will see a 5 percent match by the City.

To complete the project, the City of Buffalo has hired Cerrone Construction and DiDonato Associates, whose bids came in under budget. Once completed, the two companies will have restored the following four cobblestone streets: Perry, Hanover, Lloyd, and Prime. They will install granite curbs, traffic signals, street lights, exposed aggregate concrete sidewalks, and landscaping. Close attention will be paid to closely match the original street layout, and original cobblestones will be used.

Lloyd and Prime Streets will accomodate two-way traffic, while Hanover and Perry will provide one-way traffic.

Higgins has been pleased with the progress on the Buffalo waterfront, saying, "In the last three years, more work has been done than in the previous 46 years."

Higgins noted that the restoration has brought a new tax base to downtown Buffalo. He also said that rebuilding the Inner Harbor streets is the first step to building a bridge that will connect the Outer and Inner Harbors, "an important step in replacing the Skyway."



As for overall waterfront progress, Higgins offered, "So far there have been no grand slams, but we've been hitting a lot of singles."

Department of Public Works commissioner Steve Stempniak is looking forward to the progress on the waterfront, and hopes to see both historical restoration and modern development working hand-in-hand to revitalize the area. Existing sewer and water lines will be reconfigured to make future development easier.


As for other waterfront development news, Bass Pro now has a staff in town and has put the initial foundation work out to bid.

[Canerican]

That's awesome, so a farmer in Idaho has to pay for our streets (as will his great-grandchildren).

3 generations ahead of now will be paying for this. I hope that it's a really darn nice street.

I think it's great that this is happening, and I'll admit it's a rare victory, but it's not a real victory as it has been won on the backs of every American who pays their taxes.

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by Canerican

That's awesome, so a farmer in Idaho has to pay for our streets (as will his great-grandchildren).

3 generations ahead of now will be paying for this. I hope that it's a really darn nice street.

I think it's great that this is happening, and I'll admit it's a rare victory, but it's not a real victory as it has been won on the backs of every American who pays their taxes.

Well you may be right, but this is no suburban slapstick project. These are REAL streets with REAL character, and historic charm. While this is going on, clearing of the aud site is nearly complete. Which means this fall...Bass Pro! Construction! Now watch the delays come in...it'll be next spring or summer most likely. But, that's the way it is. Why couldn't the canalside waterfront boardwalk and park not be built at the same time as these awesome streets!? Why did we have to wait over a year? Why does the deconstruction of the aud takes longer and longer... Some people in Buffalo just can't freakin MULTI-TASK!!!

[donbuy]

Originally Posted by Canerican

Yes, the estimates are sometimes wrong, the actually Census is filled out by every resident.

And I think you have your facts mixed up (or maybe it is a coincidence), the data I see is that the estimate was 946,000 in 2000, the actual 950,000. The estimate in 2008 is 909,000.

I'm sure that is accurate, I don't think it is a stretch to think that about 1 in 20 Erie County residents have left in the past 8 years. It is a staggering number, but if you talk to people about it, I would say that about 1/8 love WNY and love it, 3/8 like it, 1/4 doesn't like it, but they are happy, 1/4 are looking to leaving ASAP.

My facts are correct. The 946,000 estimate was the first revised estimate for July 2000 which was the first to factor in the actual census results of 950,000. The estimate for July 1999 released in 2000 before the actual count was released was for under 920,000. Obviously they had to revise the base used in their estimates to give them a new starting point.

BTW those same estimates that you like to cite also show that the out migration from WNY is actually slightly below the out migration for the average US metro as a percentage. The population decline is caused by two factors 1)an older population which results in a smaller than average spread between births and deaths and 2) WNY has one of the lowest rates of in migration in the nation.

Based upon histrical inaccuracies many academics would estimate that the 2010 census will put Erie County's population in the 923,000 t 927,000 range. Keeping it on par with Farifax County, Va as the nations 40th most populous county.