Short Term Action items (six months to one year)

Policy

• Agree on a regional approach to economic development in Downtown that acknowledges the central role of Downtown Buffalo within the region.
• Fast-track permits for renovations in strategic investment and housing focus areas.

Analysis

• Conduct a full-scale analysis of the Downtown economy to better identify and understand niche opportunities as part of a regional business development plan.
• Develop a comprehensive online inventory of available space in Downtown Buffalo.

Implementation

• Ask one of the Economic Development Agencies to assign an economic development practitioner specific to Downtown.
• Continue to coordinate with Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Master Planning Process
• Develop and implement a Renewal Community Marketing Plan for Downtown
• Develop a land-use strategy for Downtown (see Urban Design/Management Section)

Medium Term Action items (one to three years)

Policy

• Encourage greater collaboration between the economic development and real-estate community to facilitate better communication about available programs and opportunities.

Implementation

• Consider having the City of Buffalo transfer responsibility of Downtown development and marketing to the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise.
• Consider public acquisition of select properties and bring up to code and ready for conversion.
• Create a Business Incubator in Downtown Buffalo, making good use of existing structures with floorplate and load restrictions.
• Develop and implement a collaborative business development plan for Downtown

Long Term Action items (three to five years)

Implementation

• Consider developing former industrial areas into urban “office parks”

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