1999 Summit

Developing the Inner Harbor with attention to historical detail, devising and implementing a housing plan for downtown, and advocating for an extension of the MetroRail were among the top issues that emerged from the "Downtown Buffalo 2002! Summit: From Planning to Action" held Saturday, December 4, 1999 at Erie Community College City Campus. The event, designed to provide a public review of the Downtown Buffalo Strategic Plan, drew over 300 people, a strong indicator of the ongoing interest in the future of downtown.

Mayor Anthony M. Masiello opened the daylong session by summarizing the task ahead - working toward a "24-hour, 12-month" downtown that draws strength from the people, character, and history of Buffalo. "I always hear people say, we should be like Cleveland, we should be like Portland, but my response has always been, we should be like Buffalo!" the Mayor announced to applause.

Through a careful and deliberate process, Summit participants identified areas of agreement and areas where issues remain unresolved. Some groups called for further study, while others for significant pauses in project development. Nonetheless, almost everyone who came to the meeting emphasized the need to move from planning to implementation.

Building on that, participants then identified which projects could move forward and how they should begin to ensure successful implementation. The day was broken up into two sessions: the first to identify issues relating to project categories, while the second was focused on specific projects and their implementation.

ROUND ONE DISCUSSIONS

Constituent-based groups designed to provide a common perspective on each issue organized the first round of small group discussions. Each group worked with a facilitation team to assess the Downtown Buffalo Strategic Plan from their point of view, and to identify, explain, and rank the three or four most important projects related to the group’s theme:

LIVING DOWNTOWN

• Create the right environment for development. Support NYS Building Code reform and develop incentives for both market-rate and subsidized housing. Make the best properties available for private development. Clarify role of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Do not rely completely on any one player.

• Start small and build from there. A success is needed now to create momentum: defer major projects and instead do one building in the right location immediately, possibly on the transit line. Building 3,000 units in 5 years, as proposed in the plan, may be too optimistic.

• Strengthen the City Planning Department with experienced planners who have the support of the leadership to facilitate housing development.

• Develop a guiding vision for the Downtown neighborhood through a Downtown

• Housing Summit.

• Develop a residential parking plan.

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