Please rate the following nine focus areas from 1 to 9 in order of importance, 1 being the most important and 9 being the least important. Use [TAB] and [SHIFT+TAB] to move up and down between boxes.

 Living Downtown
 Working Downtown
 Accessing Downtown
 Energy & Green Design
 Urban Design & Management
 Preservation
 Visiting Downtown
 Shopping Downtown
 Image of Downtown

Which investment areas are most important? Rank from 1 to 5, with 1 being most important and 5 being least important. Use [TAB] and [SHIFT+TAB] to move up and down between boxes.

 Waterfront Developments
 Financial District and Government Center
 Theatre District
 Downtown Education and Public Safety Campus
 Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

Please check one of the following:

We must pursue all five at once.
We must focus our energy on the top two items.

Please check one of the following:

In general, the vision is right on target.
The vision needs work (please explain in comments).

The following is a comprehensive listing of the action items identified in the draft Revised Strategic Plan. All of the items listed are important and most of these and others will be part of the full plan. However, it is important to be able to identify and rank items according to priority. This will help with both the scheduling and assigning of resources necessary to implement the action plan. Please take a moment to review all of them, or just the ones you are most interested in, and select your top three priorities in each issue area. The three priority items can come from any of the the sub-category areas of Policy, Analysis and Implementation. For example, you can select all three of your choices from the Policy section, or one from each of the three sections. The choice is yours. Please, however, be sure not to accidentally select the Policy, Analysis or Implementation headings within each pull-down box. We have also provided an "Other" selection in each box. If you select "Other," please elaborate in the comment section at the end and include the Issue Area that the comment relates to (Living, Working, etc.) Thank you!

What are the top three priorities for Living Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Extend geographic definition of Downtown Require minimum developer equity contribution Promote mixed-use development whenever possible Encourage diverse and unique product Encourage development of rental and owner units -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine target areas eligible for incentives Develop project assessment guidelines ---------------Implementation--------------- Convene a Housing Financing Task Force Create a Downtown Housing Development Center Work with real estate community to promote downtown living Pursue new sources of gap financing (e.g. foundations) Develop public/private venture loan fund Develop employer-assisted housing program Decrease parking requirements for housing Form a Downtown neighborhood association Create an investment guarantee program Develop 1,500 housing units in five years ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Extend geographic definition of Downtown Require minimum developer equity contribution Promote mixed-use development whenever possible Encourage diverse and unique product Encourage development of rental and owner units -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine target areas eligible for incentives Develop project assessment guidelines ---------------Implementation--------------- Convene a Housing Financing Task Force Create a Downtown Housing Development Center Work with real estate community to promote downtown living Pursue new sources of gap financing (e.g. foundations) Develop public/private venture loan fund Develop employer-assisted housing program Decrease parking requirements for housing Form a Downtown neighborhood association Create an investment guarantee program Develop 1,500 housing units in five years ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Extend geographic definition of Downtown Require minimum developer equity contribution Promote mixed-use development whenever possible Encourage diverse and unique product Encourage development of rental and owner units -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine target areas eligible for incentives Develop project assessment guidelines ---------------Implementation--------------- Convene a Housing Financing Task Force Create a Downtown Housing Development Center Work with real estate community to promote downtown living Pursue new sources of gap financing (e.g. foundations) Develop public/private venture loan fund Develop employer-assisted housing program Decrease parking requirements for housing Form a Downtown neighborhood association Create an investment guarantee program Develop 1,500 housing units in five years ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Working Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge central role of Downtown in the region Encourage collaboration between economic development and real estate communities Agree to fast-track permits in focus areas -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct full analysis of Downtown economy ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a multi-agency business development plan Assign Downtown development and marketing to ECIDA or BNE Assign an economic development specialist specific to Downtown Develop a land-use strategy for Downtown Develop an online inventory of available space Create plan to bring vacant properties to code (especially Class B) Coordinate with Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Develop a Renewal Community marketing plan Create business incubators in Downtown Develop waterfront industrial areas into urban office parks ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge central role of Downtown in the region Encourage collaboration between economic development and real estate communities Agree to fast-track permits in focus areas -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct full analysis of Downtown economy ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a multi-agency business development plan Assign Downtown development and marketing to ECIDA or BNE Assign an economic development specialist specific to Downtown Develop a land-use strategy for Downtown Develop an online inventory of available space Create plan to bring vacant properties to code (especially Class B) Coordinate with Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Develop a Renewal Community marketing plan Create business incubators in Downtown Develop waterfront industrial areas into urban office parks ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge central role of Downtown in the region Encourage collaboration between economic development and real estate communities Agree to fast-track permits in focus areas -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct full analysis of Downtown economy ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a multi-agency business development plan Assign Downtown development and marketing to ECIDA or BNE Assign an economic development specialist specific to Downtown Develop a land-use strategy for Downtown Develop an online inventory of available space Create plan to bring vacant properties to code (especially Class B) Coordinate with Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Develop a Renewal Community marketing plan Create business incubators in Downtown Develop waterfront industrial areas into urban office parks ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Accessing Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Understand role of Downtown as a regional transportation hub Set long-range goals for Downtown Access Continue work of Parking Infrastructure/Access Task Force Increase focus on alternative forms of access -------------------Analysis------------------- Assess the demand for access services and infrastructure ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a comprehensive Downtown Access Plan Create one access management entity Develop a Downtown Access marketing campaign Integrate parking and transit costs into commercial rents Create an Access Fund for transportation projects Improve connections between various modes of transportation Make the Elm-Oak corridor more pedestrian-friendly Enhance NFTA Park and Ride programs Develop user-friendly transportation signage Convert all one-way streets to two-way Consider a "Shared Bike/Shared Car" program Explore and Implement Downtown Circulator Bus Explore and Implement Downtown free-fare Bus Zone Improve HSBC events station Coordinate transportation efforts with the Medical Campus Re-open closed streets Implement Cars to Main Street/Enhance Mall Options ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Understand role of Downtown as a regional transportation hub Set long-range goals for Downtown Access Continue work of Parking Infrastructure/Access Task Force Increase focus on alternative forms of access -------------------Analysis------------------- Assess the demand for access services and infrastructure ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a comprehensive Downtown Access Plan Create one access management entity Develop a Downtown Access marketing campaign Integrate parking and transit costs into commercial rents Create an Access Fund for transportation projects Improve connections between various modes of transportation Make the Elm-Oak corridor more pedestrian-friendly Enhance NFTA Park and Ride programs Develop user-friendly transportation signage Convert all one-way streets to two-way Consider a "Shared Bike/Shared Car" program Explore and Implement Downtown Circulator Bus Explore and Implement Downtown free-fare Bus Zone Improve HSBC events station Coordinate transportation efforts with the Medical Campus Re-open closed streets Implement Cars to Main Street/Enhance Mall Options ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Understand role of Downtown as a regional transportation hub Set long-range goals for Downtown Access Continue work of Parking Infrastructure/Access Task Force Increase focus on alternative forms of access -------------------Analysis------------------- Assess the demand for access services and infrastructure ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop a comprehensive Downtown Access Plan Create one access management entity Develop a Downtown Access marketing campaign Integrate parking and transit costs into commercial rents Create an Access Fund for transportation projects Improve connections between various modes of transportation Make the Elm-Oak corridor more pedestrian-friendly Enhance NFTA Park and Ride programs Develop user-friendly transportation signage Convert all one-way streets to two-way Consider a "Shared Bike/Shared Car" program Explore and Implement Downtown Circulator Bus Explore and Implement Downtown free-fare Bus Zone Improve HSBC events station Coordinate transportation efforts with the Medical Campus Re-open closed streets Implement Cars to Main Street/Enhance Mall Options ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Energy & Green Design?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Set energy improvement goals for Downtown Promote better green space within buildings Encourage use of LEEDS standards Encourage development of a model Green building Support development of district heating system Support development of urban wind farm -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine impacts of government policy on commercial space ---------------Implementation--------------- Create an Energy Office within the City of Buffalo Organize Energy and Green Design Task group Promote use of Green-Gold companies to building owners Provide energy incentives for development Encourage Flex-Tech assessment of buildings Convert more parkers to mass transit Develop a "Green Practice Audit" Research Smart Office Product bulk buying Develop a material recycling program Conduct Downtown-wide Energy and Green Practice Audit Hold annual education seminars for owners and developers ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Set energy improvement goals for Downtown Promote better green space within buildings Encourage use of LEEDS standards Encourage development of a model Green building Support development of district heating system Support development of urban wind farm -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine impacts of government policy on commercial space ---------------Implementation--------------- Create an Energy Office within the City of Buffalo Organize Energy and Green Design Task group Promote use of Green-Gold companies to building owners Provide energy incentives for development Encourage Flex-Tech assessment of buildings Convert more parkers to mass transit Develop a "Green Practice Audit" Research Smart Office Product bulk buying Develop a material recycling program Conduct Downtown-wide Energy and Green Practice Audit Hold annual education seminars for owners and developers ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Set energy improvement goals for Downtown Promote better green space within buildings Encourage use of LEEDS standards Encourage development of a model Green building Support development of district heating system Support development of urban wind farm -------------------Analysis------------------- Determine impacts of government policy on commercial space ---------------Implementation--------------- Create an Energy Office within the City of Buffalo Organize Energy and Green Design Task group Promote use of Green-Gold companies to building owners Provide energy incentives for development Encourage Flex-Tech assessment of buildings Convert more parkers to mass transit Develop a "Green Practice Audit" Research Smart Office Product bulk buying Develop a material recycling program Conduct Downtown-wide Energy and Green Practice Audit Hold annual education seminars for owners and developers ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Urban Design and Management?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Increase focus on Washington and Pearl Streets Introduce a moratorium on surface parking lots Focus on the greening of Downtown Advocate development of Michigan as low-rise building site -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct urban design inventory ---------------Implementation--------------- Reconnect Downtown to the Waterfront Create a position of Downtown Code Officer Develop an urban design action plan Develop standards for trees and landscaping Develop parking lot and ramp design standards Develop a land-use plan for Downtown Complete Chippewa Street improvements Revamp downtown signage Replace sidewalks Improve all gateways into Downtown Explore occupancy requirement for commercial structures Create live-work art space in vacant storefronts Reconnect radials to the neighborhoods Make improvements to Oak-Elm corridor Expand Buffalo Place as a Downtown advocacy group ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Increase focus on Washington and Pearl Streets Introduce a moratorium on surface parking lots Focus on the greening of Downtown Advocate development of Michigan as low-rise building site -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct urban design inventory ---------------Implementation--------------- Reconnect Downtown to the Waterfront Create a position of Downtown Code Officer Develop an urban design action plan Develop standards for trees and landscaping Develop parking lot and ramp design standards Develop a land-use plan for Downtown Complete Chippewa Street improvements Revamp downtown signage Replace sidewalks Improve all gateways into Downtown Explore occupancy requirement for commercial structures Create live-work art space in vacant storefronts Reconnect radials to the neighborhoods Make improvements to Oak-Elm corridor Expand Buffalo Place as a Downtown advocacy group ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Increase focus on Washington and Pearl Streets Introduce a moratorium on surface parking lots Focus on the greening of Downtown Advocate development of Michigan as low-rise building site -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct urban design inventory ---------------Implementation--------------- Reconnect Downtown to the Waterfront Create a position of Downtown Code Officer Develop an urban design action plan Develop standards for trees and landscaping Develop parking lot and ramp design standards Develop a land-use plan for Downtown Complete Chippewa Street improvements Revamp downtown signage Replace sidewalks Improve all gateways into Downtown Explore occupancy requirement for commercial structures Create live-work art space in vacant storefronts Reconnect radials to the neighborhoods Make improvements to Oak-Elm corridor Expand Buffalo Place as a Downtown advocacy group ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Preservation?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge present and future historical value of buildings and spaces Celebrate and promote historical heritage Encourage sensitive infill development -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify information and resources for building owners Conduct complete inventory of historic structures ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop emergency stabilization plan for threatened structures Develop building assessment guidelines to help prioritize Develop "deconstruction" guidelines to preserve remnants Create a financing vehicle to acquire and rehabilitate structures Infill historic districts and replace parking lots Finish comprehensive preservation plan ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge present and future historical value of buildings and spaces Celebrate and promote historical heritage Encourage sensitive infill development -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify information and resources for building owners Conduct complete inventory of historic structures ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop emergency stabilization plan for threatened structures Develop building assessment guidelines to help prioritize Develop "deconstruction" guidelines to preserve remnants Create a financing vehicle to acquire and rehabilitate structures Infill historic districts and replace parking lots Finish comprehensive preservation plan ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Acknowledge present and future historical value of buildings and spaces Celebrate and promote historical heritage Encourage sensitive infill development -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify information and resources for building owners Conduct complete inventory of historic structures ---------------Implementation--------------- Develop emergency stabilization plan for threatened structures Develop building assessment guidelines to help prioritize Develop "deconstruction" guidelines to preserve remnants Create a financing vehicle to acquire and rehabilitate structures Infill historic districts and replace parking lots Finish comprehensive preservation plan ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Visiting Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct an attitudinal survey Conduct inventory of marketing dollars ---------------Implementation--------------- Promote diversity and heritage of Downtown Enlist support from media Develop information packets for specific visitor groups Develop coordinated signage plan Create "You Are Here" pedestrian maps Update 5-color street-guide signage Begin programming events for the Waterfront Cross- and joint-market the entertainment districts Develop outdoor performance space in the Theater District ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct an attitudinal survey Conduct inventory of marketing dollars ---------------Implementation--------------- Promote diversity and heritage of Downtown Enlist support from media Develop information packets for specific visitor groups Develop coordinated signage plan Create "You Are Here" pedestrian maps Update 5-color street-guide signage Begin programming events for the Waterfront Cross- and joint-market the entertainment districts Develop outdoor performance space in the Theater District ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct an attitudinal survey Conduct inventory of marketing dollars ---------------Implementation--------------- Promote diversity and heritage of Downtown Enlist support from media Develop information packets for specific visitor groups Develop coordinated signage plan Create "You Are Here" pedestrian maps Update 5-color street-guide signage Begin programming events for the Waterfront Cross- and joint-market the entertainment districts Develop outdoor performance space in the Theater District ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Shopping Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Find a political champion for downtown retail Create first-floor retail occupancy requirement -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct a full assessment of existing retail Refresh Downtown employee demand survey Identify space in leasable condition Identify local and national retail prospects ---------------Implementation--------------- Improve marketing Educate building owners about retail demand Create collaborative advocacy structure for retail Address short-term parking issues Use incentives to bring available retail space to code Educate retailers on the benefits of Downtown Create Revolving Loan Fund for retail Market Downtown to local retailers Develop retail incubation and co-op space Test the market with special programs Develop year-round Farmer's Market ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Find a political champion for downtown retail Create first-floor retail occupancy requirement -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct a full assessment of existing retail Refresh Downtown employee demand survey Identify space in leasable condition Identify local and national retail prospects ---------------Implementation--------------- Improve marketing Educate building owners about retail demand Create collaborative advocacy structure for retail Address short-term parking issues Use incentives to bring available retail space to code Educate retailers on the benefits of Downtown Create Revolving Loan Fund for retail Market Downtown to local retailers Develop retail incubation and co-op space Test the market with special programs Develop year-round Farmer's Market ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Find a political champion for downtown retail Create first-floor retail occupancy requirement -------------------Analysis------------------- Conduct a full assessment of existing retail Refresh Downtown employee demand survey Identify space in leasable condition Identify local and national retail prospects ---------------Implementation--------------- Improve marketing Educate building owners about retail demand Create collaborative advocacy structure for retail Address short-term parking issues Use incentives to bring available retail space to code Educate retailers on the benefits of Downtown Create Revolving Loan Fund for retail Market Downtown to local retailers Develop retail incubation and co-op space Test the market with special programs Develop year-round Farmer's Market ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

What are the top three priorities for Image of Downtown?

1. --------------------Policy-------------------- Determine how to improve media reporting -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify current marketing initiatives Conduct an attitudinal study ---------------Implementation--------------- Coordinate marketing efforts to maximize effect Increase programming of public spaces Encourage cross-promotion of events and venues Market and promote Downtown successes over the last decade Train leaders in media relations Organize to influence perception in media Develop an Image Campaign ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

2. --------------------Policy-------------------- Determine how to improve media reporting -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify current marketing initiatives Conduct an attitudinal study ---------------Implementation--------------- Coordinate marketing efforts to maximize effect Increase programming of public spaces Encourage cross-promotion of events and venues Market and promote Downtown successes over the last decade Train leaders in media relations Organize to influence perception in media Develop an Image Campaign ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

3. --------------------Policy-------------------- Determine how to improve media reporting -------------------Analysis------------------- Identify current marketing initiatives Conduct an attitudinal study ---------------Implementation--------------- Coordinate marketing efforts to maximize effect Increase programming of public spaces Encourage cross-promotion of events and venues Market and promote Downtown successes over the last decade Train leaders in media relations Organize to influence perception in media Develop an Image Campaign ------------------------------------------------- Other (please explain in comments)

Please provide any additional comments here:

Contact Information: Optional. However, we ask that you at least provide us with your home and work ZIP codes for the purposes of our demographic analysis. Thanks.

First Name
Last Name
Street Address
Address (cont.)
City
State/Province
Zip at Home
Zip at Work
Country
E-mail

Have you attended a Downtown Summit before?

Yes No

Did you see the 1999 Downtown Strategic Plan?

Yes No