Concept and Illustration Packet September 2016

Buffalo Outer Harbor PlanBetter, lighter, and faster for 2017

The location with the greatest concentration of people on the BuffaloWaterfront is the Central Wharf. If the goal is to draw people to the

Outer Harbor, the laws of geographic proximity dictate that it is easier,quicker, and cheaper to start where people already are.

Therefore, getting the thousands of people on Central Wharf acrossthe Buffalo River as cheaply and efficiently—in as friction-free a manneras possible should be a public priority.

Secondly, once people are across the Buffalo River, they must bepresented with a chain of compelling and easily attainable goals in orderto induce them to explore and stay awhile. Humans have evolved overmillions of years to quickly scan an area for possibilities of shelter, sus-tenance, and other, like-minded humans. In addition to seeking“prospect and refuge,” people will only walk short distances betweenpoints. Therefore, supplying quickly identifiable places that offer food,a view, and social relaxation should be an Outer Harbor priority.

In 2015, The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation suggestedthe best way to spend $5,000,000 in state funds allotted to short-termdevelopment at the Outer Harbor was to place features mostly aroundthe Bell Slip, much too far to attract people from the Inner Harbor—avisitors center (“a,” above) two viewing platforms (b), a mountain bikearea (c), and a “rope course” (d). Save for the visitors center, the sitesare hard to see, and none promise to provide the three compelling ele-ments of shelter, sustenance, and camaraderie.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo and Place Advantage propose, in-stead, a chain of useful landmarks within 1,000 feet of each other (thedistance one can expect the majority of people to walk at a stretch).

They include a small, rapid ferry (1), they are a tent cafe (2), a beachshack snack bar modeled on a barn (3), a small deli with a chicken bbq(4), a grand community porch (5), groups of lookout chairs, and a largeshelter of horizontal sails with food cart shelters (7).

Location, location, location: Proximity is King

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture/ PLACE ADVANTAGE 1

BUFFALO

RIV

ER

CITY SHIP CANAL

LAKE ERIE

CANAL DISTRICT

TIMES BEACH

BEL

L SL

IP

If you can make yourtransportation infrastruc-ture picturesque, do it. Ifyou can make your publictransportation friction-less, do it. If it can connectpeople to line-of-sight des-tinations, do it.

Vancouver does it. Notone, but two, ferry compa-nies provide 5-minuteheadways to Granville Is-land from downtown Van-couver, a 3-minute ride.Together, an amazing 2-1/2-minute headway onthis one route. One liter-ally can go to the dock andimmediately board a wait-ing ferry anytime between7:00am and 10:00pm.1

The ferry of choice isfrom off-the-shelf plans ofthe Benford DesignGroup,1 either a 12- or 24-passenger vessel. One op-erator has also created asimple but photogenicAquabus to facilitate bicy-cle, stroller, and wheel-chair travel.

Frequency of serviceis very important in publictransportation. With up to12 trips an hour, the hourlycapacity per vessel rangesfrom 144 (12-passengerferry), to 288 people (24-passengers). Two vessels

operating at 5-minuteheadways could transportalmost 600 people perhour.

A virtually no-waitservice, whether run bythe NFTA or contractedout, could radically en-

hance the range of thehundreds of thousands ofpeople on Central Wharf,and be a useful publicservice with a busy, fes-tive, friendly publicimage.

The 5-Minute Ferry Convenient, colorful public transport

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture/ PLACE ADVANTAGE

1http://www.benford.us/index.html?lists.html

5-Minute Ferry route from Central Wharf to Outer Harbor

Fast, frequent, colorful service are keys to success

2

Tents are magical.Rough and ready, infor-mal, fun, festive, theyallow us to be places andexperience things that weknow are ephemeral andtransitory, but more in-tensely felt for all that. TheBuffalo River oppositeCentral Wharf is the per-fect place for an eye-catch-ing tent.

Inspired by the Mille-nium Dome in London anda floating seasonal bar inAmsterdam, the River Tentis conceived as the first ofa sequence of places for

explorers to stop, checkout, nurse a beer, or have asnack before venturing far-ther out. The tent poles aremoved to the exterior andextended into leaningmasts that echo sailingships, creating a uniquespiky silhouette.

The tent is big, but

open-sided, defining aplace and lending the fes-tive air that tents do, butallowing views into thesurrounding boatyard, theaction of the ferry landing,and the downtown sky-line. A short ferry ridefrom downtown, but al-ready a world away.

The River Tent A tall-masted beacon for visitors and regulars

The River Tent is designed to be the very definition of “lighter, quicker, cheaper,” consisting of only woodenpoles, wires, and fabric. Yet it can house a great variety of seasonal uses, and acts as a distinctive markerand orientation point of an Outer Harbor exploration

The River Tent would afford great views of Central Wharf and the citybeyond (top), and be a landmark during the day (above) and at night,like a revival tent (below)

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

PREALTUS CREAT

IVE

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

3The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture / PLACE ADVANTAGE

For a “fast-casual” seasiderestaurant, that must beseen from a distance, westart with icons of theNorth American land-scape, grain elevators andbarns. These mark the landfor miles around, andoften have identifying sig-nage or advertising.

The Great NorthernElevator, right across theCity Ship Canal from theSeaway Piers, once had thelargest sign ever seen inBuffalo: its name two sto-ries high and 200-feetlong. Captains could seetheir destination miles outon the lake. The Great

Northern is a brick-and-steel giant based on themuch smaller woodengrain elevators one stillsees on the prairies.

Take the wooden grainelevator, combine it withthe wooden barn (with itstractor-shed addition) anda small-paned wall ofglass, and you have anevocative Beach Clubinviting to all.

On Fuhrmann Blvd. atWilkeson Pointe Park, theBeach Club features itsown superscale sign,beckoning from CentralWharf and the Skyway.

In sunny and rainy

weather alike, the place of-fers a sheltered, convivialretreat within sight andwalking distance of theRiver Tent, CommunityPorch, and Seaway Deli.

The Beach Club A fresh twist on roadside Americana

Great Northern Elevator

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

Saw off half of a barn and you get a cool seasonal restaurantwith a soaring interior, giant covered patio, great views, andan instant landmark

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture / PLACE ADVANTAGE 4

The official smell ofsummer in Western NewYork is marinated-chickensmoke wafting across thecounty fair, the lawn fete,and the backyard barbe-cue. It is a historic ritual.

Combine that with aplace to buy sandwiches,cold pop, popsicles, beachtoys, sunblock, fish bait,and picnic supplies, andyou have the Skyway Deli,a seasonal camp store witha barbecue shelter off tothe side.

Can’t wait to take yourhaul back to the park? Tearoff that wrapper or snapthat can open, lean backand cool down fast whilescanning the scene of theSeaway piers. Or stay a bitand tackle that half-chicken and two sides.

The Seaway Deli isplaced under the Skywayto make use of “found”

land. It is part of a chain ofimprovements that offershelter, sustenance, andcamaraderie within sight-and walking distance ofone another, and that alloverlook broad vistas ofland and water. It is also di-

rectly opposite the SouthMichigan Avenue Pier andnear a marina which hostshundreds of boat ownerswho are likely to be regu-lars.

The Seaway Deli isconceived to have all the

attributes of a “thirdplace,” a center that helpsform a community outsideof work and home.

A lot of good thingscome in small packages.

The Seaway Deli Sandwiches, Popsicles, and BBQ Chicken

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

REALTUS CREAT

IVE

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture / PLACE ADVANTAGE 5

The single largest piece of open land on theOuter Harbor— its green heart—is over 67 acresdirectly south of the Seaway Piers and extend-ing to the Bell Slip. We propose two things. Thefirst, a large “community porch” that stands ona promontory overlooking a grassy area andthe waters of the outer harbor and Lake Erie.The second would be a network of Olmstediancurving pathways that double as measuredloops for runners or power-walkers. The outer-most loop would be about a mile long andcould be combined with inner loops to createroutes and laps of almost any length.

It’s not the first time Buffalo has donesomething like this. Frederick Law Olmstedand Calvert Vaux designed porch-bedeckedpavilions in their parks and, most spectacu-larly, Humboldt Park on the East Side. Thatpavilion, which did not survive to see the 20thcentury, was essentially a gigantic two-level

porch. We combine this scale with the ClassicalRevival Style, popular in American parks in theearly 20th century, as well as resort hotels.

The porch is conceived as a shallow V fac-ing southwest and northeast, its prow pointingwest. The plan, style, and siting allow theporch to be easily lengthened if demand war-rants. The rear wall is pierced by windowopenings and a door. From the porch, the win-dows double as sitting ledges, while, approach-ing from the leeside, the windows would framea succession of discrete views.

The porch edge invites sitting with legsoutreched and arms back, while, this being aporch, there is plenty of room for rockingchairs and other types of seating.

In addition to general use, thecommunityporch would be a natural for family reunions,wedding receptions, and the like.

The Community Porch A commanding view, for everyone

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture / PLACE ADVANTAGE 6

Problem: The seawall onthe Outer Harbor can be adesolate place. It is wherethe manmade character ofthe site is most obvious—long, straight heaps of rip-rap, right-angled concretebulkheads 1000 feet long,unvaried views. A feelingof lonely exposure in ascaleless place predomi-nates. Add the gargantuanbreakwater (the world’slongest when built), block-ing views of Lake Erie fromground level.Conceptual framework:• Create objects which canbe seen from a distance, toimpel people to investi-gate, but also to providescale and distance markersfor joggers, dog walkers,and wanderers.• Create a watchful humanpresence by means of areason to linger and lookout at something besidesthe breakwater.• Provide shelter frombright sun or passing rain.

• Provide food and waterwithout constructing abuilding and running utili-ties to land’s end.The quick, light, low-costsolution:• An arc of look-out chairsmodeled on lifeguardchairs. Place them in a plotof sand and bend the shorepath behind them, provid-ing relief from the unvar-ied straight run.• A picnic shelter at the endof the concrete wharf ofcloth sails hung betweentall poles. From a distance,this “sailfield” would becompelling.• Near the picnic shelter, apair of small vending cartshelters, eliminating theneed for umbrellas in thewindy and sunny spot.

Within view of theCommunity Porch on theupland, and along joggingtrails these would providemuch-needed informalsurveillance.

Along the Seawall Extending an invitation to stay

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

PLA

CE ADVANTA

GE/R

EALTUS CREAT

IVE

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture / PLACE ADVANTAGE 7

The first thing you can do as a citizen is to write to GovernorCuomo, who has ultimate authority on whether and how to spend$5,000,000 on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor in 2017. Tell him there’s a betterway to enhance the Outer Harbor and make it accessible to all, andfast, than the proposal the Erie Canal Development Corporation has onthe table from 2015. Then, let everyone else know what you think: takea moment to write an email to the Buffalo News.

To cover all the bases, write the elected officials below, and send acopy to us. Thanks!

Finally, you can join The Campaign for Greater Buffalo or send us adonation to help us continue our work and make your voice heard!

The Buffalo News Letter-to Editor prefers email:LetterToTheEditor@buffnews.com

Governor: Hon. Andrew M. CuomoNYS State Capitol Building • Albany, NY 12224518-474-8390http://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

U.S. Congress: Hon. Brian Higgins726 Exchange Street, Suite 601 • Buffalo, NY 14210 • 716-852-3501https://higginsforms.house.gov/contact/

NY Assembly: Hon. Sean Ryan936 Delaware Avenue • Buffalo, NY 14209716-885-9630 • RyanS@nyassembly.gov

NY Senate: Hon. Timothy M. Kennedy2239 South Park Ave.• Buffalo, NY 14220716-826-2683 • kennedy@nysenate.gov

Mayor: Hon. Byron Brown201 City Hall • Buffalo, NY 14202 • Mayor@city-buffalo.com

South Dist. Council Member: Hon. Christopher Scanlon1401 City Hall, Buffalo NY 14202716-851-5169 • cscanlon@city-buffalo.com

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo14 Lafayette Square, Suite 1425 • Buffalo, NY 14203 • 716-854-3749•FrontDesk@c4gb.org

What can I do to make it happen?

DON’T MOURN.ORGANIZE.

Buffalo is an amazing place. Yet, from the Outer Harbor on,many of our sources of wonderment— buildings, neighborhoods,and ways of life, are endangered.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo is the area’s most distin-guished preservation organization, fighting to save, and add to,what makes Buffalo great. We are not dependent on governmentgrants, nor do we solicit corporate donations. We depend on con-cerned citizens like you.

Now is the time to help. The legacy we leave is the city we save.

Count me in: Here is my Campaign for Greater Buffalo

Membership Contribution

o One-time o Monthly*

o $5 o $10 o $20 o $30 o $50

o $75 o $100 o $200 o $___ to help as much as possible

Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Name _______________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________

City/Zip ________________________________ E-mail ________________________

Please make checks payable to The Campaign for Greater BuffaloCharge on your MasterCard, Visa, Amex, or Discover:

# _________________________________________________________________

Exp: ____/____ cvv # _________

Signature __________________________________________________________ * recurring payments will be debited by The Campaign for Buffalo. You can notifyus to discontinue at any time. We’ll email you a receipt for each payment.