Buffalo, My Thoughts
Lately, I have been in the city frequently. No doubt, some of my trips into the city were due to our Sabres (perhaps a post for another day: Ineptitude of Sabres' owner Tom Golisano and his sidekick, Larry Quinn) and their unsuccessful bid to live up to their talent level.
I have been overwhelmingly negative towards the City of Buffalo in the past, and with good cause. This area really is lacking. Lacking of so many things. And a sports championship is not one of those that is necessary to covet, however much I would like to see a Stanley Cup visit town with the Sabres' names newly engraved on it.
The city has made some improvements, although much of them are window-dressing. Buffalo is becoming a city to live in. Many developers have built lofts and other apartments in the city in once-glorious buildings. And to their credit, they are being filled. However, my concern is still valid: What about jobs? What has our esteemed government done to promote jobs? I am sure that the Mayor and others will point to Labatt USA's recent move to Buffalo as a "major" new corporate immigrant to Buffalo. But I remind you that Labatt is moving 20 executive positions here. And it makes great business sense for Labatt (despite New York's punitive tax scheme) as this area represents their biggest market in the US.
What has been done to entice Canadian companies to Buffalo? What has been done to end the growth of corporate office buildings in Buffalo's suburbs? There may be nice housing in Buffalo's downtown core, but virtually no services. It remains a commuter's city. And all-to-often, commuters are commuting out of the city for their needs. Why is there no accessible big-box shopping in Buffalo? Why not bring a Wal-Mart and the net jobs it brings, into Buffalo?
And lastly, Buffalo's single greatest potential remains its waterfront. That statement, my friends, is circa 1982. Nothing has been done with the waterfront. To this day, you can drive your car around a cul-de-sac-type loop at the end of Erie Street. Great, you can drive your car around a circle! Why not close it off and build pedestrian shopping, restaurants and similar attractions? Could you imagine actually having a place for the people living in the projects nearby to work??!!
For nearly 30 years, debate has continued with no progress. Opportunities have been missed as the Mayor's golden shovel has sat idle. Not even a small project has been undertaken.
I applaud the Mayor, he has done a decidedly better job than Tony Masiello, although that's not hard to do. However, Buffalo still lacks jobs and industry. We've lost our heavy industries, no doubt, but are sitting on a virtual goldmine with Canada literally moments away. And while the government of Buffalo blames the State, nothing gets done.
Maybe it is time Buffalo has done something for itself?
I have been overwhelmingly negative towards the City of Buffalo in the past, and with good cause. This area really is lacking. Lacking of so many things. And a sports championship is not one of those that is necessary to covet, however much I would like to see a Stanley Cup visit town with the Sabres' names newly engraved on it.
The city has made some improvements, although much of them are window-dressing. Buffalo is becoming a city to live in. Many developers have built lofts and other apartments in the city in once-glorious buildings. And to their credit, they are being filled. However, my concern is still valid: What about jobs? What has our esteemed government done to promote jobs? I am sure that the Mayor and others will point to Labatt USA's recent move to Buffalo as a "major" new corporate immigrant to Buffalo. But I remind you that Labatt is moving 20 executive positions here. And it makes great business sense for Labatt (despite New York's punitive tax scheme) as this area represents their biggest market in the US.
What has been done to entice Canadian companies to Buffalo? What has been done to end the growth of corporate office buildings in Buffalo's suburbs? There may be nice housing in Buffalo's downtown core, but virtually no services. It remains a commuter's city. And all-to-often, commuters are commuting out of the city for their needs. Why is there no accessible big-box shopping in Buffalo? Why not bring a Wal-Mart and the net jobs it brings, into Buffalo?
And lastly, Buffalo's single greatest potential remains its waterfront. That statement, my friends, is circa 1982. Nothing has been done with the waterfront. To this day, you can drive your car around a cul-de-sac-type loop at the end of Erie Street. Great, you can drive your car around a circle! Why not close it off and build pedestrian shopping, restaurants and similar attractions? Could you imagine actually having a place for the people living in the projects nearby to work??!!
For nearly 30 years, debate has continued with no progress. Opportunities have been missed as the Mayor's golden shovel has sat idle. Not even a small project has been undertaken.
I applaud the Mayor, he has done a decidedly better job than Tony Masiello, although that's not hard to do. However, Buffalo still lacks jobs and industry. We've lost our heavy industries, no doubt, but are sitting on a virtual goldmine with Canada literally moments away. And while the government of Buffalo blames the State, nothing gets done.
Maybe it is time Buffalo has done something for itself?
posted by Skier at
4:43 PM
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