LSNF's position on Bass Pro
| Original letter to the Buffalo News April 13, 2007 The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier (LSNF) applauds the Buffalo News announcement (March 30, 2007) that the Richardson Center Corporation board has secured the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to work with the community for one week in May to help produce a design blueprint for the complex. Buffalo is rooted in and enjoys a legacy of good design from Joseph Ellicott to Frederick Law Olmsted who proclaimed it the "...best planned city as to its streets, public spaces and grounds,in the United States if not the world." Our task is to build on this heritage in the 21stCentury. Cities evolve and Buffalo is evolving into a city that offers a high quality of life for its residents as well as a destination for art, architecture, history and nature enthusiasts. Many of our local sites are national and international treasures including the Richardson complex, so engaging a recognized organization like the ULI, positions our decision making process on the right track. The LSNF believes the Erie Canal Terminus site is also a landmark of global interest and deserves equal consideration. We would therefore recommend that all parties involved in the development of this area continue to build upon the community input summarized by the Erie Canal Harbor Master Plan (2004) which was drafted as a result of the conclusions found in the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). Bass Pro is a welcome addition to the water front but their final location must be agreed upon in a transparent manner honoring the previous efforts of our community as well as the historic nature of the site. Respecting both is the foundation for re-imagining Buffalo in the 21st century. Dennis Galucki Executive Director, LSNF |
Letter as published Plans should respect sites' historic nature The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier applauds the announcement in The News that the Richardson Center Corp. board has secured the Urban Land Institute to work with the community for one week in May to help produce a design blueprint for the complex. Buffalo is evolving into a city that offers a high quality of life for its residents as well as a destination for art, architecture, history and nature enthusiasts. Many of our local sites are national and international treasures, including the Richardson Complex, so engaging a recognized organization like the Urban Land Institute positions our decision-making program on the right track. The Landmark Society believes the Erie Canal Terminus site is also a landmark of global interest and deserves equal consideration. We recommend that all parties involved in the development of this area continue to build upon the community input summarized by the Erie Canal Harbor Master Plan. Bass Pro is a welcome addition to the waterfront, but its final location must be agreed upon in a transparent manner honoring the previous efforts of our community as well as the historic nature of the site. Respecting both is the foundation for reimagining Buffalo in the 21st century. Dennis Galucki Executive Director, LSNF |