In the coming weeks, the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) will be hosting a series of events involving the current plans for the waterfront development, climate change and the community agenda for the upcoming year.
Today, November 27, 2010, at 2 p.m., the Citizens Waterfront Project and the Canal Side Community Alliance will be hosting a Canal Side Festival and Rally at the Erie Canal Harbor Commercial Slip, located at the foot of Pearl Street and Marine Drive. The festival is geared toward encouraging those in attendance to voice their concerns related to the Modified Plan for developing the Waterfront before November 29, the date of the Harbor Corporation’s next board meeting. Those who attend the festival will also be able to enjoy food, music and art while rallying to voice their opinions.
The organizations’ goal in hosting this event is to promote their ideas for an alternative community benefit agreement with the Harbor Corporation. They would like to see the community involved in the planning process and promote a plan that includes quality jobs, green design and operations and local businesses. They are pushing for projects that are “lighter, faster and cheaper,” rather than what is set out in the current plans.
According to the PPG, the current Modified Plan does not include Bass Pro, but it does include $39 million in subsidies for private businesses and $36.8 million for parking. ECHDC intends to begin building a $7.4 million 177-space underground parking structure on the Aud block at a cost of $42,000 per space. The current plan also allocates $32.5 million toward building replica canals and towpaths. According to the PPG, international development experts Tony Goldman and Fred Kent argued against this idea, saying, “Don’t spend millions of dollars on fake canals.”
The organizations involved are encouraging those who would like to make their voice heard to do so. They suggest contacting the office of Congressman Higgins at 716-852-3501 to voice concerns. Individuals can also send letters and emails to the Harbor Corporation at sgawlik@empire.state.ny.us. They are also asking those interested to attend the Harbor Corporation board meeting at 2 p.m. on November 29 at 95 Perry Street. To view the MGGP, a sample comment letter and PPG’s comment, visit the Canal Side Community Alliance blog site.
On Friday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, Sam Magavern and several law students from the University at Buffalo will be gathering for PPG’s Forum to discuss climate change. The group will be addressing the various climate issues affecting the City of Buffalo and New York State as a whole. They will discuss several different solutions for these issues, including an increase in recycling, encouraging increased use of mass transit and promoting green power. Those interested can email megan@ppgbuffalo.org by December 1 to reserve a seat at the forum. The discussion will be taking place at 237 Main Street, Suite 1200.
On November 30, the PPG will be meeting to vote on the planks for the 2011 Community Agenda. They will be meeting at 237 Main Street, Suite 1200 from 9 to 11 a.m. Those organizations interested in voting must send at least one representative. To attend, RSVP to Megan Connelly at 716-852-4191 ext 110 or by emailing megan@ppgbuffalo.org.
The PPG will be following up the vote with an unveiling of the 2011 Agenda to the public, press and elected officials on Monday, December 13 at 2 p.m. The gathering will take place at the Merriweather Library located at 1324 Jefferson Avenue. The afternoon will include music, poetry and arts to support the PPG’s respect for cultural vibrancy. Those interested can RSVP to megan@ppgbuffalo.org by December 3.