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Steps to Reality
Education - Introduce the plans to the public, and gain their support by the explanation of the benefits such as; fresh financial income from increased tourism, long-term job creation, individual investment opportunities, and increased population growth. These benefits are for all of the people of the Western New York area.
Cleanup - Complete area remediation and create a basic park that the public can start to enjoy immediately.
Infrastructure - Provide signage at the Church street exit and the downtown entrance to the skyway directing traffic to the outer harbor waterfront. Close the Ohio Street and Furnham Boulevard ramps located at the bottom of the skyway directing all traffic to the Tifft Street exit. Rework and Re-stripe Ohio Street and Furnham Boulevard turning them into two way traffic, restructuring the existing street system. And finally build a Michigan street bridge at its old location near General Mills in a fashion that will replicate the original historic bridge. Extend the existing metro rail system to the waterfront via the new Michigan Street Bridge.
Boat Access - Install shoreline protection as described in the boat docking section of the plans to allow access from the lake and afford pedestrian travel and lake viewing.
Investor Securement - Begin securement of investors with opportunities such as; purchase of pavers on the promenade, water taxi operators, concession stand operators, shop and restaurant owners, housing developers, etc.
Government Funding - Continue to aggressively pursue and use funding from various government entities
Further Parkland Development -Develop the additional parkland amenities until they reach their full potential and build the cultural districts and promenade.
Attract Tourism - Aggressively advertise to attract tourism to the area showcasing the ability to “experience traveling the world in Buffalo”.
Develop Large Attractions - Use the attained success to attract developers of entertainment attractions similar to those described in “The Whole Plan” design concept located on a separate page of this website.
Fundraising Possibilities
Offer Purchase of inscriptions to be formed into the pavers on the promenade. This should be accomplished by offering inscriptions on the small pavers at a reasonable cost with the larger pavers costing more. The people should be able to choose the general location of the pavers purchased. This technique allows those who purchase pavers to feel like they are part of the waterfront ands so are more likely to visit it more often and so continue to support the development.
Donation drives could include the following; black tie balls, theme dances, special concerts, telethons, benefit runs/walks, goal progress signage, and other opportunities that can only be imagined at this time.
Lobbying government funding
Advertisement of available investment opportunities to the public.
Other Benefits
Increased Tourism to the area will benefit all of Buffalo’s existing “hidden jewels” such as the theater district, Elmwood Avenue, Chippewa district, it’s architecture, its rich Industrial and maritime past, etc.
The influx of tourism dollars could provide much needed tax relief to the area. (The government must come on board and decrease taxes as funds increase). The lower taxes along with the increase in tourism and attractions will make the area more attractive to businesses. The new businesses will provide jobs to those still living in the area as well as bring people back to Buffalo. This will increase the tax base allowing taxes to be decreased even further; with will make the area more attractive to businesses… This can create a snowball effect that will bring Buffalo back to prosperity.
Most of all, the people of Buffalo have been waiting for a prosperous waterfront that they can enjoy for over 100 years, It about time they get what they deserve!
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