Downtown Revitalization

Vision

Buffalo Niagara’s Central Business District (CBD) will become a vibrant, 24/7 urban hub that blends residential vitality, inviting public spaces, cutting-edge streetscapes, and dynamic private development. By repurposing underutilized office spaces, transforming parking lots into green spaces, enhancing streetscapes with avant-garde design, and leveraging government-owned properties for private redevelopment, we will create a downtown that attracts residents, visitors, and businesses, setting a global standard for urban renewal.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Repopulate the CBD with Residents: Convert Class B and Class C office buildings into diverse, affordable residential units to create a thriving downtown residential community.
  2. Transform Surface Parking Lots: Acquire and redevelop large surface parking lots into vibrant public squares and parks to enhance community engagement and urban aesthetics.
  3. Invest in Avant-Garde Streetscapes: Implement high-quality, innovative streetscape improvements, including lighting, fixtures, and wayfinding signage, to create a welcoming and navigable downtown.
  4. Leverage Government-Owned Properties: Make publicly owned properties available for private sector redevelopment to stimulate economic growth and innovative land use.

Key Strategies

1. Repopulate the CBD with Residents

  • Office-to-Residential Conversions: Incentivize developers to repurpose Class B and C office buildings into mixed-income residential units, including lofts, apartments, and condos, with at least 20% designated as affordable housing.
  • Adaptive Reuse Incentives: Offer tax credits, low-interest loans, and expedited permitting for projects converting office spaces, targeting 5,000 new residential units in the CBD by 2035.
  • Amenity Integration: Ensure converted buildings include amenities like rooftop gardens, fitness centers, and co-working spaces to attract young professionals, families, and retirees.
  • Zoning Reforms: Update zoning codes to streamline office-to-residential conversions, allowing mixed-use developments that combine housing with retail and community spaces.

2. Transform Surface Parking Lots

  • Parking Lot Acquisition: Identify and acquire at least 10 large surface parking lots in the CBD by 2030 for conversion into public squares, parks, or green spaces.
  • Public Space Design: Develop these spaces with features like outdoor seating, event stages, public art, and native landscaping to create vibrant, multi-use destinations.
  • Community Programming: Partner with local organizations to host year-round events, such as markets, festivals, and outdoor fitness classes, to activate new public spaces.
  • Sustainability Focus: Incorporate green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable surfaces, to manage stormwater and enhance environmental resilience.

3. Invest in Avant-Garde Streetscapes

  • Innovative Lighting: Install energy-efficient, artistically designed LED lighting to enhance safety and create a distinctive nighttime aesthetic, with smart controls to adjust based on pedestrian activity.
  • High-Quality Fixtures: Deploy modern street furniture, including benches, bike racks, and interactive installations, using durable, locally sourced materials to reflect Buffalo Niagara’s identity.
  • Wayfinding Signage: Implement a cohesive, visually striking wayfinding system with digital kiosks and multilingual signage to guide visitors to key destinations like Canalside, cultural institutions, and transit hubs.
  • Pedestrian Prioritization: Create pedestrian-only zones and widen sidewalks in high-traffic areas, integrating greenery and public art to enhance walkability and vibrancy.

4. Leverage Government-Owned Properties

  • Property Inventory and Release: Conduct a comprehensive audit of government-owned properties in the CBD and make at least 75% available for private redevelopment by 2030 through competitive bidding processes.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): Facilitate P3s to redevelop public properties into mixed-use projects, including housing, retail, and cultural spaces, with community benefit agreements to ensure local impact.
  • Incentives for Redevelopment: Offer tax abatements and grants for private developers who prioritize sustainable design, affordable housing, or job creation in their projects.
  • Transparent Process: Establish a public dashboard to track the status of government-owned properties, ensuring transparency and community input in redevelopment decisions.

Implementation Plan

  • Short-Term (1-2 Years):
    • Identify 10 Class B and C office buildings for residential conversion and launch pilot projects for 500 units.
    • Acquire two surface parking lots for conversion into public squares, with designs completed by 2027.
    • Install avant-garde lighting and wayfinding signage in one high-traffic CBD corridor.
    • Complete an audit of government-owned properties and release 25% for private redevelopment.
  • Medium-Term (3-5 Years):
    • Complete 2,000 new residential units through office conversions, with 25% affordable.
    • Transform five parking lots into public parks or squares, hosting at least 50 community events annually.
    • Implement streetscape improvements across 50% of the CBD, including pedestrian zones and smart fixtures.
    • Redevelop 50% of identified government properties into mixed-use projects.
  • Long-Term (5-10 Years):
    • Achieve a residential population of 15,000 in the CBD by 2035.
    • Ensure 90% of CBD residents live within a 5-minute walk of a public square or park.
    • Complete avant-garde streetscape improvements across the entire CBD, achieving a 20% increase in pedestrian traffic.
    • Redevelop 100% of available government-owned properties, generating $500 million in private investment.

Metrics for Success

  • Residential Growth: Increase the CBD residential population by 10,000 by 2035, with 20% in affordable units.
  • Public Space Access: Ensure 90% of CBD residents and workers have access to a public square or park within a 5-minute walk by 2035.
  • Streetscape Impact: Achieve a 25% increase in downtown foot traffic and a 15% increase in visitor satisfaction with wayfinding and aesthetics by 2035.
  • Economic Investment: Attract $1 billion in private investment through government property redevelopment by 2035.

Conclusion

By repopulating the CBD, transforming parking lots into vibrant public spaces, investing in innovative streetscapes, and leveraging government properties for private redevelopment, Buffalo Niagara will create a downtown that is lively, sustainable, and inclusive. This strategy will position the CBD as a global model for urban revitalization, attracting residents, businesses, and visitors to a thriving urban core.