Summary Analysis of Additional Survey Comments

ACCESS (42 mentions)

• Parking should be cheap, or free, and easily accessible (12 mentions). If not entirely free, perhaps weekends or after 6pm could be free, but it should also be inexpensive for DT workers. Parking rules should be better enforced.

• Disagreement: stop constructing surface lots (1) vs. replace "unsalvageable" stores/homes w/ surface lots (1).

• Support and expand public transportation, including Metro Rail and buses (8 mentions).

OTHER  ACCESS COMMENTS (22 mentions)

• Relocate or remove I-190 (4), or get rid of tolls (1); remove (2) or celebrate (1) the skyway

• Focus on intermodal transit (bikes, pedestrians especially) (3)

• Improve traffic signal timing (2) and signage (1)

• Put cars on Main (1) or keep cars off Main (1)

• New, bigger train station DT (2)

STREETSCAPES, AMENITIES (36 mentions)

• Improve aesthetics at the street level. Beautify by greening with parks, trees, shrubs, all well-cared for (11); keep the downtown clean: get rid of garbage, sweep streets (8); keep streets and building facades maintained (5); focus on gateways (4); invest in streets, curbs, lighting, sidewalks (5); improve/maintain city parks (4); demolish old "eyesore" buildings (3); pay attention to views of important buildings (1); street vendors (1); public bathrooms (1); public art (1); keep new buildings scaled to street (1).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (23 mentions)

• Expand Downtown Retail. Focus on food availability (5) including juicery/souperie for teens, decent grocery, large (maybe international?) food market; expand (1) or raze (1) Main Place Mall; trendy indoor shopping center w/ restaurants on waterfront (1); get retail sites primed for development (1)

• Attract new and maintain existing businesses. Incentives (1), economic incubation program (1); focus on high tech/ fiber optics (2)

LIVING (22 mentions)

• Housing is a priority. Build market rate (2), mixed (1), or affordable / low income housing (2); ensure adequate services for DT neighborhoods (3); reform building code (2); have residency requirements for city employees (2); convert/renovate/build 3000 units in 5 years (2); use for-profit developers (2); use incentives for developers (2) and for residents, like cops (1); tax abatements for developers converting to residential units (1).

MAKE PUBLIC SECTOR AN ASSET (22 mentions)

• Create centralized or coordinated planning entities to make process more efficient (9)

• Permit / building code reform (5)

• Lower taxes (4)

• Include public (4)

HAVING FUN (20 mentions)

• Develop attractions: Fitness/sporting attractions (5) like tennis/basketball, streets closed Sunday for biking/rollerblading; Zoo relocation (3); festivals/celebrations (2); Regal movie theater (1); adult cultural center (1); water taxi to Outer Harbor (1); cruises to Cleveland, Detroit (1); aquarium (1); use natural resources (1)

PRESERVATION (10 mentions)

• Preserve Buffalo’s historic heritage. Add historic authenticity to Inner Harbor development (6); follow historic street patterns (1); strengthen protection of old buildings (1).

IMAGE / MARKETING (7 mentions)

• Improve self-image and awareness, and marketing will follow. Info booth on Main (1); new motto "A place where we labor and live because it is a place we love" (1); publicity package (1)

CONVENTION CENTER (5 mentions)

• Use old convention center for something (2)

• Will need more hotels (4)