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The Buffalo Skyway
Buffalo is a waterfront city with a deep history along the shores of Lake Erie. With more than half of the city’s waterfront left vacant, the potential for revitalization is immense. Whole neighborhoods and commercial districts could be built with strong connections to downtown and the city’s existing neighborhoods. To achieve this vision, Buffalo needs to lay down the proper foundation. Good development is tied to good infrastructure. The form of the streets can seal the fate of vast amounts of land. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) evaluated three infrastructre alternatives for the outer harbor. It selected the plan that will, in all likelihood, keep the waterfront vacant for another 50 to 100 years. This plan maintains the elevated skyway and the embanked Route 5 and expands a major frontage road, while consuming unneccessary amounts of land that could otherwise build the city’s tax base. But by simply choosing the boulevard alternative already developed by the department of transportation, Buffalo could build a single urban thoroughfare that would accommodate traffic demands and become a valuable destination in its own right. The new boulevard would significantly improve waterfront access and support the revitalization that Buffalonians have been fighting for. Buffalo has two very different choices on the table. By choosing the boulevard alternative, the city will open the door to world-class development. Read CNU's summary report, Revitalizing Buffalo's Waterfront (PDF 1.9MB).
Transportation ReportsSmart Mobility, Dec. 2007: Development Opportunities Gained by a Multi-way Boulevard for Route 5 Smart Mobility, Aug. 2007: Summary of Current NYSDOT Plans for Buffalo's Waterfront Smart Mobility, Dec. 2006: Assessment of Transportation Needs for Buffalo's Waterfront Redevelopment CNU News Releases7/2/2007: Buffalo Council Members Tour Milwaukee's Riverfront Redevelopment 12/14/2006: Transportation Report: Remove the Buffalo Skyway CorrespondenceMedia CoverageBuffalo News Apr. 16, 2008 Opinion: Complete the Outer Harbor Parkway Buffalo News Apr. 1, 2008 John Norquist: DOT has no intention of removing Skyway Buffalo News Feb. 22, 2008 Boulevard alternative would give Buffalo a great place Buffalo News Feb. 1, 2008 Donn Esmonde: Higgins seems to have lost his way Buffalo News Jan. 30, 2008 Donn Esmonde: Route 5 barricade heads to court Buffalo News Jan. 22, 2008 Opinion: Open the Waterfront Buffalo Rising Oct. 18, 2007 Will The Ghost of Robert Moses Continue To Haunt Us? Buffalo News Oct. 17, 2007 Buffalo council unanimous in opposing high-speed Southtowns Connector Buffalo News Oct. 2, 2007 Spitzer urged to overrule state plan for Route 5 Buffalo Business First Sept. 24, 2007 DOT: Connector no detriment to Skyway Buffalo News Sept. 8, 2007 Planner says Fuhrmann/Route 5 project is obsolete Buffalo News Opinion Sept. 13, 2007 Review highway decision Artvoice Video Interview with John Norquist and Scott Bernstein December 2007
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The Boulevard option would allow for greater connections to downtown and could be lined with development, creating a more desirable place while still provide adequate traffic capacity.
A multi-way boulevard could also be considered. It allows through traffic to keep moving in the center lanes and local traffic -- the kind necessary for commercial development -- to continue at its own pace.
A network of blocks and streets would expand access and connectivity to the outer harbor.
A well-connected boulevard could restore value and life to the waterfront. Rendering by Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists. |
