Canal Side:

Citizen Waterfront
Forum
Byron W. Brown City of Buffalo Public Opinion Solicitation
Mayor

Mayor Byron W. Brown issued a call to the public for ideas for the development of Canal Side on August
10, 2010, and the public came back with an overwhelming response. Solicitations for public feedback
from hundreds of people were collected by e-mail, personal letters, and the City’s 311 web form and
call line. As of September 9, 856 people responded with 1,757 ideas for the future of Buffalo’s
waterfront.

The 1,757 ideas submitted by the general public run the gamut from museums and retail stores to jet-
ski rentals and brewpubs and water-themed attractions. The common thread across all the responses is
a desire for the waterfront to become an exciting urban place, where restaurants, retail,
entertainment, recreational activities, and cultural and family destinations - in short, “things to do” -
are embedded into an authentic, walkable district.

As expressed in the words of one local citizen, “Buffalonians love to

eat, drink, and be entertained.”
Solicitations for public feedback from hundreds of people were primarily collected through the City’s
311 web form (94 %) and call line (4%). In addition, ideas were gathered from personal letters (1%) and
emails (1%).

Method by Which Public Feedback Was Gathered

800
801
600
400
200
37 12 06
0
311 Web Form 311 Call Line Letters to M ayor E-M ail Link on City
Website

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

The responses came in from Buffalo, the suburbs, and from expats across the United States and
Canada. Buffalo residents, while comprising 24% of the population in the area of Erie and Niagara
counties according to 2009 Census estimates, provided a robust 40% of the submissions. This shows
Buffalo residents feel a strong interest in the future of Buffalo’s waterfront. At the same time, 52% of
the submissions came from those living in communities in the area surrounding Buffalo (Erie and
Niagara Counties), indicating that the waterfront is also a treasured attraction for residents in nearby
cities, towns, and villages. 6% of communications came from outside the Erie and Niagara counties
area, and many of these were from former residents of Buffalo. Among these, we received
communications from faraway places like Kansas, Florida, Virginia, New York City, Denver, New Jersey,
Toronto, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, South Carolina, Indiana, California, Michigan, Ohio,
Nevada, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Only 2% of communications did not specify a place of origin.

Geographic Origin of Responses

500
400 442
300 346
200
100
55 13
00
City of Buffalo M SA (Erie and Niagara) Outside the Area Location Not
Specified

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

What did the public have to say?

In general, the ideas presented by the public can be grouped into four broad categories: Dining &
Shopping, Entertainment/Recreation, Public Works/Infrastructure and Hospitality & Other Uses. An
overwhelming 83 percent of the ideas submitted by the respondents were comprised of developing
“things to do,” including dining & shopping establishments (45%) and entertainment & recreational
venues (38%). In addition, the public recognized the need for investment in public improvements and
infrastructure (12%) in order to develop a setting that can accommodate and attract private
development. While other uses only mustered a relatively limited amount of support (5%), the need to
develop hospitality venues to accommodate visitors to the waterfront was mentioned a number of
times.

The ideas from the public were wide ranging, creative, and comprehensive, yet prominent themes
emerge that offer direction on a course for action. Here’s a breakdown of concepts the public brings to
the table for consideration. The frequency ideas were expressed and their ranking is indicated.

>> A desire for an attraction or series of attractions that captures the waterfront location was strongly
expressed. Models in Cleveland, Baltimore, and Erie, PA, were frequently cited.

Indoor water park - 77 IMAX - 7

Aquarium - 60 Cruise ship/cruise ship port - 4
Bills stadium - 33 Go-cart racing - 3
Amusement park - 17 Showboat - 2
Casino - 15 Penguinarium - 1
Cineplex/theaters - 11 Butterfly garden - 1
Ferris wheel - 10 Bird aviary - 1
Convention Center - 9

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

>> Civic gathering places and access to the water have widespread support.
Amphitheater/bandshell - 58 Fishing pier - 2
Park/open space general - 48 Hydroponics garden - 2
Boardwalk/Riverwalk/trail - 21 Community garden - 1
Beach - 7

>> There is a strong desire for recreational, leisure, and sporting activities at the water’s edge.
Ice/roller skating rink - 20 Arcades - 3
Paddle boat/canoe/kayak rental - 17 Winter activities/festival - 3
Indoor sports/recreation center - 17 Tours - 2
Golf course/putt-putt golf - 16 Motor sports park - 1
Special events - 9 Boat/jet ski rental - 1
Gondola rides - 6 Skating canal - 1
Gym/spa - 6 Basketball courts - 1
Batting cages - 4 Yoga studio - 1
Carriage rides - 4 Flowrider - 1
Bicycle rental - 3 Driving range - 1

>> The public overwhelmingly supports the waterfront’s development as a setting for restaurants, coffee
houses, and bars. Entertainment districts such as Cleveland’s East 4th Street, Pittsburgh’s Southside Works,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Denver’s LoDo were frequently cited as models.

Restaurants/coffee houses general - 126 Hofbrauhaus - 2

Bars/brewpubs general - 58 Hooter’s - 2
ESPN Zone - 17 Spot Coffee - 2
Entertainment district general - 13 Starbucks - 2
Dinosaur’s BBQ - 13 Rainforest Cafe - 2
Mighty Taco - 8 Joe’s Crab Shack - 2
House of Blues - 7 Salsarita’s - 1
Local restaurants general - 6 California Pizza Kitchen - 1
Tim Horton’s - 6 Beef & Barrel - 1
Wine tasting/wine bar - 5 Popeye’s - 1
Comedy club - 4 Gentleman’s club - 1
Anchor Bar - 4 Planet Hollywood - 1
Ice cream shops general - 4 Dunkin Doughnuts - 1
Beach clubs/bars - 3 McDonald’s - 1
Hard Rock Cafe - 3 Chipotle Grille - 1
Legal Sea Foods - 3 Nascar Cafe - 1
Nightclubs general - 2 Banquet facility general - 1
Restaurant in converted rail car - 2 CBS Scene Restaurant - 1
Dave & Buster’s - 2 Nanobrewery - 1
Cheesecake Factory - 2

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

>> There is a strong desire for museum and interpretive experiences that relate strongly to Buffalo’s heritage,
culture, and Great Lakes/Erie Canal location.

Museums general - 74 Buffalo Zoo extension - 1

Weather Museum - 37 Crime and punishment museum - 1
Erie Canal/Great Lakes museum - 25 Tim Russert museum - 1
Hawk Creek Wildlife Center - 20 Automobile museum - 1
Buffalo Maritime Center - 12 Shipwreck museum - 1
Children’s museum - 9 Albright Knox Art Gallery extension - 1
Comedy Hall of Fame - 9 Lacrosse Hall of Fame - 1
Art or cultural park - 8 Huge bison statue - 1
Bicycle museum - 8 Immigration museum - 1
Manufacturing/transportation museum - 8 Science center - 1
Niagara Aerospace Museum - 5 Glass museum - 1
Pan-America Expo museum - 4 Buffalo Hall of Fame - 1
Monuments to great Buffalonians - 3 Cheerio’s museum - 1
Sports museum/Fandemonium - 3 Computer museum - 1
Statue honoring Buffalo Braves - 2 Ship museum - 1
Architecture museum - 2 Pro-life arch - 1
Native American heritage museum - 2 Genealogy center - 1
National Parks Service Visitors Center - 2 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) - 1
Underground railroad museum - 2 Large American flag - 1
Cinema Hall of Fame - 1 Digital literacy kiosk - 1
BECHS extension - 1

>> The public stresses the importance of historical and cultural authenticity in the waterfront’s build-out.
Heritage-based urban/street design - 15 Reuse of the DL&W train sheds - 7
Focus on canal history (general) - 7 Expand canal infrastructure - 4

>> There is a segment of the public that desires the waterfront to develop as a walkable neighborhood with a
significant residential and hospitality component.

Hotels - 48 Bed and breakfast - 1

Condos/apartments general - 26 Artist live/work spaces - 1
Mixed-use general - 2 Affordable housing - 1
Neighborhood general - 2 Student apartments - 1

>> There is only limited support for use of the water’s edge as an office location, indicating a widespread
preference for its development as a “resort” or an “escape from the 9 to 5” destination.

Office space - 3 Medical research - 1

Attract high tech businesses - 1

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

>> Despite the departure of Bass Pro as a prospective anchor tenant, there is still widespread support for big
box and national chain retailers in downtown Buffalo.

Big box retailers general - 35 Target - 2

Cabelas - 35 Dick’s - 2
Trader Joe’s - 34 The Gap - 2
Ikea - 31 Nordstrom - 2
LL Bean - 19 Urban Outfitters - 2
Wegman’s - 17 Pottery Barn - 1
Against large anchor tenant - 13 REI Sports - 1
Whole Foods - 8 Nike Factory - 1
Outlet mall - 6 Apple Store - 1
Costco - 6 K-Mart - 1
Gander Mountain - 6 Disney Store - 1
H&M - 6 Best Buy - 1
Lucky Strikes Bowling - 5 Dillard’s - 1
Crate & Barrel - 5 Christmas Tree Store - 1
Barnes & Noble - 3 Le Chateaux - 1
Super Wal-Mart - 3 Fry’s Electronics - 1
Made in America Store - 3 NY & Co. - 1
Wilson Farms - 3 Fisher Price Store - 1
Borders - 3 Ten Thousand Villages Shop - 1
Supermarkets general - 2 Harley Davidson dealership - 1

>> The public’s support for an anchor tenant is buttressed by strong support for small retailers grouped to
create a pedestrian shopping experience.

Small retail/boutiques general - 129 Made in Buffalo store - 2

Public/farmer’s market - 54 Art galleries - 1
Local retail - 16 Flea market - 1
Gift shops/souvenir stores - 4

>> The public strongly supports establishing more direct access to the Outer Harbor and enhanced transit and
intermodal connections.
Tear down Skyway - 21 Hide parking - 3
Bridge to Outer Harbor - 13 Reopen lighthouse site - 3
Expand LRRT - 10 Multimodal transportation facility - 2
Free parking - 9 Heated sidewalks - 1
Rann Webber concept for skyway reuse - 7 Light the skyway - 1
Water taxis - 4 Handicapped fishing access - 1

>> There is some expressed support for environmental stewardship and performance.
Clean water/fix sewage overflow - 4 Green energy - 2

>> There is simply a desire to get things done.

“Just do something.” - 3

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

Observations About the Public’s Feedback

The public did not overwhelmingly express a preference exclusively for local retailers. Instead, a large
proportion of the feedback expressed optimism and hope for attracting national specialty restaurants
and retail chains, particularly those that are not yet located in the Buffalo area.

The public expressed some concerns about environmental performance, but did not express any
concern for a living wage as a prerequisite for waterfront development.

The feedback from the public reinforces many of the overriding goals and objectives of the Canal
Side Master Plan.

Ideas that Stand Out to the Mayor

The public’s overwhelming enthusiasm for an indoor water park or water-themed family destination
is worthy of consideration. This can be an attraction for families that can be enthusiastically sustained
year-round, giving families a fun activity to do even in the winter months. Other year-round
attractions worthy of consideration are an aquarium, an IMAX theater, and a domed amphitheater.

An idea for a National Parks Service Visitors Center is worthy of exploration for the foot of Main
Street, which is the location of the terminus of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The public continues to call for a Dinosaur Barbeque in Buffalo.

Bicycle, jet ski, and canoe and kayak rentals would enhance access and waterfront activity with only
a little investment and a big payoff.

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

The Public Speaks - Selected Quotations

“Buffalonians love to eat, drink, and be entertained.” – Joe Mattiolo, Buffalo, NY

“I would like to see the Skyway lighted in a similar fashion to the Peace Bridge.” - Rosalind Brown,
Niagara Falls, NY

“I would love to see a mix of local and national stores.” - Terrence James, Buffalo, NY

“I think you need to put in something unique and entertaining all year round. What better thing to do
then build an indoor waterpark resort in downtown Buffalo?" - Ryan Willard, Lancaster, NY

“I think canoe, kayak, jet ski, and snorkeling rental shops would be a great idea.” - Mark Ambellan,
Buffalo, NY

“The International Weather Experience Center is a necessary and vital part of the future
redevelopment of Buffalo’s waterfront. Buffalo’s weather is iconic throughout the region and country.”
- George Lange, Buffalo, NY

“Bringing the Great Lakes Museum or a state-of-the-art aquarium would be awesome.” - David Holland,
Lancaster, NY

“We need to attract people to the waterfront with a combination of entertainment, history, small
shops, educational venues and open space.” - Louise Sweet, Orchard Park, NY

“I would like to see smaller national retail at Canal Side mixed with local retail.” - Keith Szczygiel,
Buffalo, NY

“As plans for the new Canal District move forward, there is renewed opportunity for a National Park
Service Visitor Interpretive Center adjacent to the re-watered Erie Canal.” - Al Labruna, Buffalo, NY

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Mayor Byron W. Brown’s
Citizen Waterfront Forum
Presented September 13, 2010

Appendix - Breakdown of Suggestions by Use Type

Overall 1,757

Dining & Shopping 778

Entertainment/Recreation 667
Public works/Infrastructure 212
Hospitality & other uses 87

Dining & Shopping

Dining/drinking 367
National chains/big box stores 268
Small/local shops 153

Entertainment/Recreation
Museums 219
Other Attractions 176
Recreational Opportunities 121
Entertainment Venues 151

Public Works/Infrastructure
Civic Space 99
Transportation 63
Heritage 33
Other 8

Hospitality & other uses

Hospitality 49
Residential 33
Employment 5