Bridging the Buffalo State Campus
It's funny that I just received the following email from a fellow BRO writer John Carocci. A few of us had, days earlier, been discussing the differences between campuses like Syracuse and Buffalo. The conversation was inspired by a recent trip to Syracuse to attend a function with Buffalo State College. It had been a while since I had paid a visit to SU, so it was nice to see the campus again. What struck me immediately about the campus was that it was seamless with the surrounding shopping district (a much smaller version of our Elmwood Village). As students walked away from the campus they found themselves thrust into a neat tree-lined commercial corridor. We sat on one of the outdoor patios discussing how different this was compared to Buff State and Elmwood. Following is the email that John sent to me this morning:
I spent the morning touring the Buffalo State College campus and Elmwood Strip with my brother's girlfriend and her sister Michelle. Michelle will be starting her senior year of high school in September, and Buff State is one of three colleges she is considering. It was interesting to hear their impressions of Buffalo in general and Buff State in particular, so I thought I'd share them with BRO readers.
1. Buffalo State Campus received lukewarm marks from the girls. They found it sterile and "typical SUNY school" though allowances were made for the construction and maintenance common to any college campus during the summer months. They almost missed turning into the campus from Elmwood Avenue because the college doesn't have much presence. At first that struck me as silly. Rockwell Hall is a large, collegiate looking building, and there are signs identifying Buffalo State. But then I looked around at what the campus is competing with for your attention: the Albright-Knox, Delaware Park, the Richardson Complex and the Elmwood Strip... there's a lot going on in that neighborhood, so maybe more visible signage would be a bonus for out of town visitors.
2. The Elmwood Strip was a huge hit, even though we only walked from campus to Bidwell Park and back, checking out our lunch options before settling on the India Gate buffet. Michelle was eager to check out Talking Leaves and the various shops and cafes along Elmwood. She was also glad to hear about larger stores like Target or Wegman’s that are convenient to campus. The proximity of the Albright and Delaware Park was another bonus.
3. Kudos to the Buff State admissions/orientation office. Michelle received mail and e-mail confirmation of her tour registration, as well as a temporary parking permit. By contrast, the tour she had scheduled for this afternoon at Brockport? Nothing. No letter, no e-mail, no confirmation.
Overall I think the girls had a good first impression of Buffalo. Perhaps less so of Buffalo State campus, but they had just come from a tour of Syracuse University which has a lovely campus, and it's not really fair to expect a SUNY school to look as good as an expensive private university.
It was interesting to hear this future student's perspective of the college campus. When I read this I immediately thought about the new Burchfield-Penney Art Center that is currently being constructed. Obviously this building will act as a beacon for the campus. Beyond the building there are some other ideas that the college has been looking at that would bode well for the campus. Has anyone heard about a possible addition of a pedestrian bridge that would link the campus and Amherst Street? It's an idea that has been floating around for a while... and it's an idea that's time has come. Another direct link to a neighborhood so close would immediately offer hundreds of resources to the campus that they don't have right now. With the addition of this bridge, students would be able to walk or bike to Wegman's effortlessly. It would be a symbolic gesture that the students are welcome to eat and shop on Amherst Street. By giving the students an opportunity to walk in two different directions to visit different shopping districts would be nice to see. The college road that winds along the expressway really needs a bike/jogging lane too. That section of the campus is way underutilized. Plus, I'm sure that the Amherst Street businesses and residents would appreciate it too.
Another idea would be for Buff State to work with The City to transform that unimpressive bridge (on Elmwood crossing the expressway) that basically connects the Historical Society, Buff State and the Albright-Knox into a welcome mat for the Elmwood District. Everyone that crosses that bridge should know that they are about to enter a thriving art and collegiate district. Once again, there have been ideas and concepts batted around over the years about possible designs, but I have not heard anything about that bridge design in a while.
Two bridges to take a look at - one for people, and one for cars. Both would add a better sense of place for the students as well as visitors to the Buff State campus.
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DumpsterKid
I'd like to see Elmwood and Grant by Buff State scale down the 4 lane avenue to 2, allow parking on the side. I'm surprised there isnt a pedestrian bridge across the Scajac already. West of Buff State has a promising future, if the Richardson complex goes through all those proposed chagnes (quasi optimistic) then the future is bright. My friend is renovating a house around Forest and Dorchester with West Side Restoration interest free loans, for $20,000 it could be worth a lot more in a decade.
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joshking2
Grant street can't be downgraded. If you have ever tried to leave BSC anytime while school is in session proves that. ALL of BSC parking is along Grant street. Yes a pedestrian bridge is proposed in the Scajaquada plan and an inspired student wrote a wonderful proposal about it. Ask Frenchy on Amherst Street about it.
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chris69
At one time it was the students of Buffalo State and to a certain extend Canisius, Medaille and D'Youville that kept the Westside alive and safe from the ravages experienced on the Eastside where there are no educational insititutions (that I know of).
However, with property values continuing to increase between the Delaware - Richmond Corridor, Elmwood is no longer dependent upon college students and infact Elmwood is a retail and business district not for Buffalo State but for the entire community.
So I say this with all due respect that Buffalo State needs a true college strip of Bookstores and Coffeeshops, movie rentals, take out and quickie marts.....etc and that college strip is increasingly looking to Grant Street though no one will admit it!
Furthermore, look at a google satellite image of Buffalo State, Grant, Amherst, Tonawanda and the Scajaquada. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=42.935721,-78.888981&spn=0.010164,0.01766&z=16
Can you not immediately draw the conclusion that dormatories, administration buildings, parking, sports facilities and/or business incubator facilities could easily be built on the large stretches of idle land on the other side of the scajaquada?
Infact looking at the satelite map the first thing that comes to mind is why are the sports facilities centrally located on the academic spine of Buffalo State...they are used infrequently and are deadspace to walk around when exposed to the elements.
It might make sense if Buffalo State was competitive in sports but they are not...and they are infact turning away 10,000 applicants a year.....thats roughly refusing a $120-$250million economic infusion into our city and the westside.....and also refusing anywhere from 1200 to 2400 increase in employment.
Buffalo State is in my opinion in desperate need of competent leadership by an individual who isnt a spineless patronage quota appointment who goes home at 4:00 and spends more time lecturing about the success of minorities than about creating a legacy of growth and advancement.
Buffalo State is a local institution that could easily grow with a huge increase in employment, economic infusion, centers of excellence, business incubators, partnerships with UB & Canisius and expansion of academic programs.....which must be built adjacent to the existing academic buildings....ie the current sports facilities and parking lots must be relocated! Check out the google map for suggestion where!
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al-alo
think a simple way to encourage the buff state community and Elmwood district northward is the construction of a pedestrian friendly bridge along Elmwood, and not necessarily a separate structure. the current bridge is unpleasant to cross in idyllic conditions. when winter arrives it is impossible, and dangerous to venture across the 198.
if my memory serves me correctly, a previous incarnation of that bridge was a handsome masonry structure. i vote for that.
on a side note, it always has stuck me curious that two of the city's most successful shopping districts (Elmwood & Hertel) come together in the most unpleasant way - a decrepit porn shop, and abandoned dickies donuts, a vacant lot, and a plaza!
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STEEL
Build a classroom building on the Elmwood hotel site. Or a dorm. That would be good payback
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Andrew
al-alo i too have always been puzzled about the intersection of Hertle and Elmwood. i have also been puzzled as to why Grant st near Buff state didnt look more like Elmwood. Picture what the west side could have been if UB were built on Lasalle park and grew to its current size and reputation of today; huge retail and skyline boost along with a neighborhood crawling w/ students and cops similar to Hamlin Park w/ Canisius.
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chris69
Steel, I have to disagee with the Elmwood/Forest site. I think we are looking entirely in the wrong direction. We keep looking to housing students for Buffalo State with new apartments.
The reality and future I see is much different. The future of Buffalo State is not Elmwood but Grant Street. The future expansion of the Albright Knox and the new Burchfield Penny expands the cultural district along with the future redevelopment of the Richardson.....only reinforces the existing trend of rising property values and rents between Delaware and Richmond. This section of Elmwood is becoming overpriced for a hangout district of college kids and many of the new residents are getting tired of the college bars and fast food along Elmwood considering the price they paid for their homes...and the safety of their kids.
I see the future of the fast food, movie rentals, bars and other low income retail catering to college kids moving to Grant...especially as Buffalo State expands.
Then what do I see for Elmwood. I see the growing cultural district mixing well with the higher housing values, families and increasingly upscale retail.
SO WHAT IS NEEDED AT THE FORMER ELMWOOD/FOREST HOTEL SITE IS SOMETHING UPSCALE AND I MEAN LINCOLN PARKWAY UPSCALE.....IN EITHER TOWNHOMES OR APARTMENTS WITH UNDERGROUND PARKING AND WONDERFUL PERIOD BALCONIES. Lets be clear...we do not need anything similar to Buffalo Municipal Housing modern or contemporary...we need something on par with the A-K, Richardson and Lincoln Parkway.
PS. I know the restrictions .... but while I do not think a building with first floor retail can be built...I do believe that if built properly first floor retail could be added later just as so many other homes on Elmwood have had their first floors converted to storefront.
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chris69
But let me be clear for a minute.....the future hope for Elmwood is plan for the eventual shift from college kids to families who appreciate the cultural aspects of a park, an arts district, upscale retail and family friendly walkable streets!
and as such the future plan for Elmwood cannot be separated from the future of Buffalo State and the future of Grant Street.
The student bars must be encouraged to relocate to Grant Street so Elmwood can start to market their new demographics. If not then the livability of Elmwood is going to suffer....and Buffalo State will eventually be perceived as a negative holding Elmwood back....instead of its traditional role of keeping Elmwood alive and pedestrian.
Elmwood will always have student appeal and they are welcome...but for decades students have been the dominant demographic....but as property values have risen....as the cultual district has expanded....the demographics are changing.
If local champions succeed in changing the incompetent patronage president of Buffalo State who is refusing 10,000 applicants a year (1200-2400 new employees....$120million-$240million economic impact) and changing the direction of her administration from status quo to growth and expansion....there is no doubt that doubling the size of Buffalo State cannot and should not be done at the expense of the cultural district....and Elmwood Avenues gentrification.....but as a complete rethink/redevelopment of Grant Street!
There is absolutely no reason why a $200,000 to $400,000 home (as they continue to appreciate) needs to continue having screatching tires, loud mufflers, motorcycles and street vomit until 4 or 5 in the morning. Elmwood will always have the retail and nightlife...but as property values increase....this section of Elmwood is maturing and it should be planned and assisted.
If you think of the incredible rowhouses on Delaware...that would be awesome at the former hotel site.
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Weezer
The conversion of the house at the corner of Elmwood and Auburn to mixed use retail/residential is a good model for Elmwood and Forest. A single, uniform addition to the front of those half dozen houses could accomplish what's needed there, namely, storefront retail with upper deck patios, renovated housing in the rear, and parking in the rear through a single, two-way access drive. This approach is less controversial while strengthening the corner and the block.
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DumpsterKid
A vacant lot where fake sabres gear is sold, a closed dickies donuts, and a porn shop. (fed ex kinkos and amvets are cool) but still worst interection in the city, and the light is horrible and long, make it a cirlce!!!!!
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ScajaquadaJack
Let's think of Buffalo State College campus on an axis --- with the North/South connection to Elmwood Village and larger scale shopping, and East/West to Grant/Amherst/Forest/Delaware residential and recreational Districts. The proximity of services and cultural assets make Buffalo State's location virtually unequaled in potential quality. However, as this post points out there are many improvements to make on the North and to the West axes -- some easy (bicycle/pedestrian access), some not so (housing and commercial by Grant). The best thing BSSU can do is continue with enhancing its campus and growing smartly, with community in mind.
A great leap forward is possible if BSU takes over the Buffalo City Auto Impound (west of Grant, the old Buffalo Structural Steel eyesore that backs up to the 198) and incorporates it into its plans. By cleaning up the brownfield, placing it and the reclaimed Scajaquada waterfront into the Campus Master Plan a linear connection to the main campus is possible. This would allow Grant streetfront buildings to work for Buffalo State and really make it a vibrant part of the urban fabric.
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VictrolaMan
Isn't Buff State now a mostly local, commuter school? The traffic around it seems to indicate that, along with the nearly-dead student rental market in surrounding areas. Grant Street properties have been gobbled-up for decades by the school itself, to be converted to parking - just check an aerial view from 1930-1950, to confirm. A small neighborhood has been made into an asphalt "moat", basically.
Grant Street is not poised to rebound, but it IS rapidly deterioring into vacant buildings and empty lots. In a few years, there will be nothing to revive. The last gas station is gone & demolished, Rite Aid will shortly close either its own store or the bigger Eckerd, the entire block from Ferry north is empty, the sleazy 'grocery' at Delavan is an empty lot, etc etc. We do have random gunshots at night, but such excitement isn't exactly what makes an area desirable. I will soon give up on Wah-Sing for takeout, for fear of yet another armed robbery at the McD's while I'm getting the family's dinner.
ps - What happened to the renovated apartment project at Grant & Bird? That building looks worse than ever.
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