If I Had a Nickel for Every Dreamy Outer Harbor Rendering…
I’d probably have about 35 cents.
On December 15, 2004, then-owner of the Outer Harbor NFTA revealed three competing visions for that brownfield.
1. WestEnd (Ciminelli/Jerde)
I actually liked this one. It was nicely designed and not at all a pie-in-the-sky type project. They dubbed it a “lakefront creative community”.
2. Norstar Outer Harbor Redevelopment Plan
It was almost all parkland. We have a very nice waterfront park that very few people use. Parks don’t pay taxes. No more parks.
3. Buffalo Lakefront Development Team (Opus East/Uniland)
Naturally, this billion-dollar behemoth is what the NFTA selected. I called it Amherst-sur-Lac, and said that the only thing it was missing was an elevator to the moon.
4. The Riverkeeper’s “Vision”
I stumbled on this the other day. I don’t know why people think anyone will want to live, work, or shop on the canal side of Route 5 rather than near the water. But I’m just a philistine
5. E-Zone
Seriously one of the stupidest ideas ever to be proposed for the outer harbor. It would have cost $100 million, and featured Dave & Busters writ large:
* Mini Beach with Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark
* Year-Round Indoor Snow Palace with Snowboard Half-Pipe
* Children’s Playworld
* Themed retail shopping
* Themed bars, clubs and restaurants
* Performance venues
* Interactive games
* 3D/4D Motion Simulator rides
6. The Ever-Green Design Plan:
Posted today on Buffalo Rising, I found this to be a cross between an Amherst condo complex and Epcot, only colder.
7. The WNYMedia.net plan
It’s new, it’s different, but it’s doable.
Derek J. Punaro Says:December 13th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Too friggin’ funny! Thanks for the laugh!
STEEL Says:December 13th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Odd how the WNYMedia Plan has no route 5 what with all the boosterism you have given the NYDOT super highway plan.
The River Keeper plan looks very interesting. I wish that one was being pursued. I believe that their intent is that Route 5 is a slower at grade road integrated into the city. You have a hard time envisioning anything that does not already exist so you can see how much of an asset the canal is.
That Ever green thing is creepy
In da Buff (Buffalo, New York) » I have a better idea… Says:December 13th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
[…] blogger says this…that blogger says that…and so on…and so on…and so […]
Denizen Says:December 14th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Needs more parking
ike Says:December 14th, 2007 at 1:39 am
this is my favorite post of yours, like ever
Christopher Smith Says:December 14th, 2007 at 3:31 am
Good lord, are you fucking serious?
Pauldub Says:December 14th, 2007 at 5:03 am
Where’s the light Rail extension? If you don’t have that, you will need more parking.
I thing we need a T shirt with that on it.
STEEL Says:December 14th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Good Lord Chris Smith, you really do need to get a life. Not everything is a big fight.
Actually that WNYM map would have been 10 times funnier with a big honking skyway plastered across it
steve Says:December 14th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I find the WNYMedia plan to be eco-friendly, displaying an understanding of our urban fabrics that are built to the curb, while at the same time respecting our heritage tourism boner that was grown organically. I do think it could use a touch more green space, more lofts, and more cowbell. Oh, and you need dock space for the failboat.
Pauldub Says:December 14th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Chris is just overtired.
whitney Says:December 14th, 2007 at 10:22 am
#3 reminds me of Dubai
Christopher Smith Says:December 14th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Steel, you have to admit that this would be the first time you ever displayed a sense of humor. Forgive my immediate response.
lulu Says:December 14th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I think the Robbery Training Facility is already slated for Black Rock.
Hilarious post!
FancyWow Says:December 14th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
This issue is a hot mess, and posts like this, while flip and funny, muddle the arguments further. Bottomlime, what is the ultimate difference in opinion? And what is each side’s justification?
Shifting, would like to hear what others think of this project and the Mayor’s thoughts:
http://www.mayortv.com/byron_brown/
Mike Miller Says:December 14th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I’m looking forward to moving into my McMansion in “WNY Media Heights”.
jen Says:December 14th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
steve’s comment beats anything I would have ever come up with.