If anything has annoyed me the most in the exciting and gleeful world of Buffalo development, it would most certainly be the uprising and backlash against the construction of a parking garage on what is currently a surface lot for Marine Drive residents.

So I offer an alternative: The Webster Block, the surface lot directly in front of the HSBC Arena.

This is a most perfect site for a mixed-use, “intermodal”, Canal Side parking garage. In some cases, it might even be better than the currently proposed one.

Retail facing Main and Perry with delivery and car entrance/exits facing Washington

Restaurants would do great, seeing as some people have been to Peal Street Grill too much and that Morrissey’s and Benchwarmers might not have a full enough menu or be interesting enough to a more high brow audience attending an arena event.

Retail spaces would also face the Canal Side project and the facility could serve as a sort of Park N Ride for commuters who already park at the southern end of downtown and take light rail closer to their place of work.

Throw in residential, office, and even hotel space at the top and you have great downtown spaces with great waterfront views (as well as views of relieved residents of Marine Drive). It would be like an extremely modest Maple Leaf Square with a heavier focus on parking.

There might be an argument that the Webster block could be used in a more valuable way (sans parking) as well as official future plans on the part of the ECHDC but based on this block’s history and its inability to be developed even after the construction of the HSBC Arena, it would seem like this would be a good spot for a mixed-use parking garage and a good catalyst for further Inner Harbor development.

*Top image courtesy BuffaloRising

If City Hall’s plan for enticing developers to rehabilitate the Statler by building an 11-floor parking garage then public policy has not evolved here since the 1950’s. Well, we all know it hasn’t but I still find it hard to believe that anyone so involved in urban development like a mayor’s office of a mid-major city would actually think such a thing.

The Statler did not fail due to a lack of parking, it failed due to epic and repeated mismanagement, with each owner treating it worse than the last. Had any developer bought this building in the early 2000’s and recieved basic public financing for its historic and cultural importance, as well as for asbestos abatement, it could have easily realistically been converted into Class-A office space and apartments. Heck, even two different national hotels were ready to sign on in the last two years had the building been in better shape.

The proposed structure on S. Elmwood has been specifically sited as a key spot for a new parking garage in City-funded parking studies and Mark Croce seems to be very well acquainted at City Hall so it seems more like Brown is using the Statler for persuasive rhetoric more than out of genuine desperation to save the building.

I’m certainly all for this project if office space is indeed constructed and if the 1st floor is one that engages itself with the neighborhood by having ample retail space. I’m just not buying the “we need this to redevelop the Statler” shtick. I just hope the building looks sharp in what is the most prominent part of downtown.

Just to get a clearer idea of just how big this parking garage is-even without the additional four floors of office space, this structure would be slightly shorter than the new Federal Courthouse and with the office space on top, would be the tallest building constructed downtown since the Key Towers in 1990.

If this project goes through, no one is ever, EVER allowed to complain about finding parking downtown. Not even in regards to convenient parking. 11 floors of parking, one lot, right in the middle of the CBD. Commuters rejoice.

UPDATE 03.06.10

Here is the rendering of the proposed structure courtesy of BuffaloRising

It looks pretty good in the sense that it feels like a building and not a garage which would be a first in Buffalo.

Retail will indeed be part of the plan-a restaurant should do well there although it will be the only 1st floor, at the sidewalk amenity on that part of S. Elmwood.

According to the scaling in the rendering my assumption that 14 floors would be taller than the Federal Courthouse was wrong so it could concievably be the second biggest building constructed in the CBD since 1990 with the new Federal Courthouse being the tallest.

There have been quite a few significant commercial projects in Toronto’s CBC CBD the last few years but one that has stood out to me in my last few trips has been 155 Wellington West- offices of the Royal Bank of Canada and RBC Dexia.

The tower was designed by KPF and achieved LEED Gold status upon its completion last Summer.

Be sure to click on “Enter the RBC Centre” and take a look at the presentation-quite impressive. In Buffalo’s CBD only the Avant comes close to having a similar online presentation. Oh and Issa’s magically invisible skyscraper.

Besides looking nice and supplying great views, its right next to the Gardiner Expressway and is connected to the PATH so no matter how you get there, its easy.

For leasing information, you can contact Graham Crowder at Graham.Crowder[at]cadillacfairview.com

RBC Center is to the right, next to the under-construction Ritz-Carlton.

Buffalo gets Raffi Torres from Columbus. He immediately overtakes the lead on the team in goals scored with 19. He’s a high energy, physical winger who should add a spark more than a Zubrus or Bernier. He is a free agent at the end of the year.

The Sabres give up Nathan Paetsch and a 2nd round pick. Paetsch struggled to crack the lineup on a consistent basis but was always ready to fill in on defense or even the wing whenever asked. Paetsch is a good fit for Columbus and should see more playing time there.

Paetsch’s final numbers with Buffalo:
157 games
7 goals
35 assists
42 points
+17 rating
5.0 shooting percentage

Minutes after the Torres trade, the Sabres traded Clarke MacArthur to Atlanta for two draft pics.

MacArthur was surprisingly popular despite not living up to his perceived potential as a 20-goal a year guy. Of his 26 points this season, seven came in his first ten games. Getting a relatively high 3rd and 4th round pick (assuming Atlanta misses the playoffs) likely makes up for giving up a low 2nd round pick in exchange for Torres.

His final numbers as a Sabre:
187 games
41 goals
38 assists
79 points
-11 rating
15.0 shooting percentage (fairly impressive %)

Like a standard trade deadline in Buffalo, the Sabres make a couple solid moves that don’t shake the boat but theoretically provide a spark to the roster as they enter the stretch run.

P.S. The Washington Capitals (tonight’s opponent) have basically shored up for at least a Conference Finals appearance this season by adding Scott Walker, Joe Corvo, and Eric Belanger. If Valarmov gets back his playoff form from last season, a Stanley Cup should be imminent, otherwise, Pittsburgh seems to be the team to beat after adding Ponikarovsky and Leopold.

P.P.S. Would have loved to see Jeff Halpern join the Sabres instead of moving to L.A. Very Mike Grier-esque with his quiet yet profound leadership abilities on every team he plays for. He is also a perennial face-off asset, something we could use more than ever with Gaustad out for a week.

Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens closed only a few years after Buffalo shut down its Memorial Auditorium and like the Aud, it has sat vacant with a plan but no action for years. Now, the Aud is gone as one step to new life for the site but on Carlton Street, Leaf Gardens has continued to sit idle while plans get hammered out.

Thankfully, 10 years later, the time has come. Renderings are done and workers can be seen in and around the arena getting it ready for its new life as a athletic/entertainment center for Ryerson University and for a Loblaws supermarket.

Sites like these typically make for heated civic debates and if the selected project moves forward and fails, it becomes a lost treasure and leaves many bitter. With all due respect to the Sabres, an Original 6 arena is a much more sensitive preservation issue. In many ways it is a more respectful project than what Montreal did with the Forum when it maintained sections of seating and respected the outline of the rink. In Toronto, hockey will still be played at the Gardens.

Interior of MLG Photo courtesy of this National Post photo gallery

KAPOOR HALL

Formerly Achelson Hall, this long abandoned academic structure is getting a complete facelift and will host the pharmacy school which will be relocated from North Campus. UB has plans to move the pharmacy school again (downtown) in the future, but for now there is no funding in place and Kapoor Hall will host the School of Pharmacy for the near future once it opens up in 2011.

ENGINEERING BUILDING

Despite being based out of temporary trailers for decades, the engineering school at UB has maintained a good reputation, especially in WNY. After a length attempt to raise funds, construction finally started over the summer and the new building should be ready in 2011. For architecture fans, this will be Perkins + Will’s first new WNY project-an exciting accomplishment for a region that is known more for its early 20th century structures. According to David Steele, Perkins Will left a significant imprint on Buff State’s campus:

Perkins and Will designed the main quad at Buff State back in the seventies – Library, Admin Building, Student Union and Communication Building included. the student union and library were additions to existing buildings but essentially resulted in completely new buildings

SOUTH ELLICOTT COMPLEX

As someone who took the long, bone-chilling, lonely, depressing winter walk to class from Ellicott many times, this infill project is a big first step in connecting Ellicott to the rest of the campus. Besides site prep, there is not too much visible progress on the project but it should be finished in 2011. This, along with the redesigned Lee Road will make for a less depressing walk to class.

KALEIDA VASCULAR HEALTH CENTER

One of the most expensive projects to happen in Buffalo besides Canal Side, this UB-Kaleida Health collaboration will give the BNMC a cutting-edge research facility and an architectural landmark. Designed by Mehrad Yazdani, no stranger to the BNMC, the 10-story structure will play a crucial role in the research and commercial progress the medical campus makes.

David Torke at FixBuffalo frequently updates the construction progress so be sure to check out his blog.

Although the “2020″ is no longer a true deadline but a concept, these projects are crucial to making UB a better and more attractive university. Its economic spinoff is questionable at this point, but from the perspective of a student or a faculty member-these are steps in the right direction

In case you didn’t know by now, this blog now has its own facebook page. Think of it as a “bonus feature” section to the blog. You’ll be able to access photo albums capturing entire construction projects, links to news and good resources I find, previews to upcoming posts, and who knows what else at this point.

A long planned project by the NFTA is finally underway-not light rail extension, but the extension of life for existing light rail cars.

Instead of hard seats, mumbling drivers, and doors that open and close to one of the more annoying alarm sounds out there, the NFTA’s light rail cars will now be more like the newer fleet of buses with comfortable seats, LED panels, and a pre-recorded voice that announces stations. Oh and finally, FINALLY, no more brown/orange/yellow cars. Two cars will be refurbished at a time and eventually all 26 will be done. According to the Buffalo News the project cost will be $40 million.

*Photo credit Derek Gee/Buffalo News

This will be a great facelift for the LRRT and perhaps an enticer to potential riders. An already clean and efficient system addresses its faults and makes light rail in Buffalo a better option for the next 25 years.

The Buffalo News has some great coverage of this project in today’s online version so be sure to check out the photo gallery and video.

Top image (sans witty caption): www.brooklynrail.net

Work is finishing up at the former AM&A’s warehouse lofts.

1st floor windows are coming to life and making it easier to visualize the final product.

What looks like a former loading dock touches against the Warehouse Lofts and will serve as an entrance from the surface lot between the building and Hotel Lafayette.

A new east wall will emerge that will give the project a bit more of a contemporary feel in comparison to the rest of the buildings.

Tenants should be able to move in starting in April. Once its done, Rocco Termini is left to focus on either the AM&A’s Flagship Store or the Hotel Lafayette for redevelopment. Either one will significantly transform the block that is already vastly improved by this project as well as the Warehouse Lofts.

Probably the most exciting project going on downtown right now is the renovation of the Genesee Block downtown into Class-A office space and 1st floor retail.

The long abandoned and symbolic block of urban decay is being redeveloped in one fell swoop after decades of rotting away into what seemed to be an inevitable death.

A new building will be included in the project as a 4-floor, retro-looking structure is emerging to the immediate left of the iconic Werner’s Photography Studio building.

A sloped canopy over the 1st floor of one of the structures is emerging and is a nice unique touch on one of the largest of the buildings on the block.

The storefronts are starting to take shape as glass, steel, and stonework is moving along. You can’t help but visualize delis, cafes, and restaurants when you walk by.

A new wall extends out from the original structures facing Oak Street to make for larger floor plates, most likely to fit current-era office space needs.

A glass enclosed staircase extends off of the end of the block facing Oak, adding a nice quirk to the block.

It remains to be seen how successful the project is. The Wendt foundation’s handsome contribution to the project is the only reason why the redevelopment is taking place and directly across from these buildings is a series of poorly used structures and stragglers that do little to comfort potential pedestrians/occupants of the new project-making the retail component a bit more challenging. But its central location to the most residential area of downtown, walking distance from the Hyatt and the Theatre District, expressway and light-rail access will make this more than just something nice to look at.

Genessee Gateway should be completed by the Summer. There will be a lot of buzz when it opens. This one is a big image changer for downtown-if it is successful, who knows how big the next wave of redevelopment downtown will be.

UPDATE 02.12.10
From WNED:

Genesee Gateway Opening for Federal Office
Mike Desmond (2010-02-11)

BUFFALO (WNED) – The first tenant is coming to a long-vacant commercial complex which is undergoing a multi-million dollar rehab and it’s the federal government.

“We’re working very hard to get that done and get that corner cleaned up and bring it back to life. It’s a wonderful corner,” said Bill Jones of CityView Construction Management.

His group will soon welcome its first tenant. The federal State Department is putting its new passport office in the complex, with 30-workers spread over 4 floors.

Interest is high in office space at Genesee Gateway, but “the stuff on the street level,the retail really has been the harder sell,” according to Jones, who wants to “some activity on the first floor seven days a week.”