About This Report

This document provides a summary analysis of the public review materials collected during the Downtown Buffalo Strategic Plan review process. The process consisted of three basic elements: the Downtown Buffalo 2002! Newsletter Survey, which prioritized themes and projects identified in the Downtown Buffalo Strategic Plan, the Downtown Buffalo 2002! Summit: From Planning to Action, which invited more detailed discussion of the plan in small facilitated groups; and a series of lengthier written reviews by local advocacy groups, businesses, and other interested parties.

Besides presenting the Downtown Buffalo 2002! priority project and additional planning recommendations, this report provides two layers of supporting documentation derived from the review process. The first level offers summary analyses and crosscutting charts that describe and highlight the connections between the priorities that emerged from the review process. The second level, presented in appendix form, includes lightly edited raw material collected by facilitators from the public and other reviewers.

The Downtown Buffalo 2002! priority project recommendations, as derived from this review process, reflect the organization's commitment to the power of consensus arrived at through democratic discussion and conflict. In order to be recommended a project had to be emphasized by a vast majority of the participants in the review process. In some cases the recommendations encourage continued public discussion, while in others, it suggests there is sufficient consensus to proceed with direct implementation. The result is a balanced implementation campaign addressing a wide range of interests that focus on a few priority projects.

Part One begins with an Executive Summary of the Downtown Buffalo 2002! Implementation Campaign. Following that is a summary that presents the Downtown Buffalo 2002!priority project and additional planning recommendations.

Part Two presents the supporting public review material, including crosscutting analysis charts and summary analyses of the Survey, Summit, and written constituent reviews.

Part Three offers an appendix-like collection of raw newsprint notes taken by facilitators during the Downtown Buffalo 2002!Summit breakout groups.

Any question or comments relating to this material should be directed to:

Robert G. Shibley, Director of Downtown Buffalo 2002!
c/o Buffalo Place Inc.
671 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

716-856-3150 / email: rshibley@ap.buffalo.edu