A Detailed Plan for a Region on the Rise
Our objective is to transform Buffalo Niagara into the most beautiful, prosperous and vibrant region in North America, known for global economic prowess, iconic architecture and an extraordinary diversity of ideas and culture.
Buffalo once led the nation. After decades of decline, it is growing again. This agenda sets out how to turn that recovery into lasting prosperity. It works alongside our Turnaround Agenda, which organizes our proposals by level of government (city, county and region) and adds our Citizen Power democracy reforms. Each section below links to a full plan with strategies, timelines and measures of success.
Global Economic Prowess
- Foster Innovation Ecosystems: Establish innovation hubs and incubators to support startups in technology, green energy, and advanced manufacturing. Partner with universities like SUNY Buffalo to drive research and development.
- Attract Global Investment: Create incentives for foreign direct investment, including tax breaks for companies establishing regional headquarters in Buffalo Niagara.
- Workforce Development: Expand vocational training and STEM education programs to prepare residents for high-demand industries. Collaborate with local businesses to align training with market needs.
- Global Trade Networks: Leverage Buffalo’s proximity to Canada to enhance cross-border trade, including developing a logistics hub for international commerce.
Urban Design, Public Space, Architecture, and Housing
- Iconic Architecture: Commission world-class architects to design signature buildings that define Buffalo Niagara’s skyline, blending modern aesthetics with historic preservation.
- Vibrant Public Spaces: Redesign public squares, parks, and waterfronts to encourage community engagement. Examples include expanding Canalside with year-round attractions and creating pedestrian-friendly zones.
- Affordable and Diverse Housing: Implement zoning reforms to allow mixed-use developments and increase affordable housing units. Incentivize high-density housing near transit hubs to reduce sprawl.
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Prioritize walkable neighborhoods, bike lanes, and green infrastructure to enhance livability and reduce carbon footprints.
Environment, Conservation, and Recreation
- Great Lakes Restoration: Invest in water quality initiatives to protect Lake Erie and the Niagara River, including reducing industrial runoff and restoring wetlands.
- Green Spaces Expansion: Increase access to parks and recreational trails, with a goal of ensuring every resident is within a 10-minute walk of a green space.
- Renewable Energy Leadership: Transition municipal facilities to 100% renewable energy by 2035 and incentivize solar and wind projects for residents and businesses.
- Conservation Programs: Launch community-led conservation efforts, such as urban forestry initiatives and wildlife habitat restoration, to enhance biodiversity.
Reimagined Tax Systems
- Progressive Tax Reform: Shift property tax burdens to prioritize low- and middle-income households while ensuring high-value properties contribute equitably.
- Business-Friendly Incentives: Offer tax credits for businesses that invest in sustainable practices, hire locally, or revitalize underserved areas.
- Simplified Tax Code: Streamline tax collection processes to reduce administrative costs and improve compliance, ensuring transparency for residents.
- Revenue Diversification: Explore new revenue streams, such as tourism taxes or public-private partnerships, to fund infrastructure and cultural projects.
Streamlined Municipalities and Efficient Service Delivery
- Regional Governance Collaboration: Consolidate overlapping municipal services across Buffalo Niagara to reduce costs and improve efficiency, such as shared fire, police, and waste management systems.
- Digital Service Transformation: Implement e-governance platforms to streamline permitting, licensing, and public service requests, making interactions with local government seamless.
- Infrastructure Modernization: Upgrade aging water, sewer, and transportation systems with smart technology to enhance resilience and reduce maintenance costs.
- Community Engagement: Establish regular town halls and digital feedback platforms to ensure residents’ voices shape service delivery and policy decisions.
Transformation of Public Education
- Student-Centered Choice: Replace rigid district boundaries with region-wide open enrollment so families can choose the school that fits their child.
- Universal Vouchers: Give every family a voucher tied to per-pupil funding, with added support for students with special needs, low-income students and English language learners.
- Independent Campuses: Give principals authority over budgets, hiring and curriculum, with accountability for results.
- Specialized Curricula: Encourage schools to offer distinctive programs in STEM, the arts, environmental studies and career-technical education.
Transformative Development Projects
Our place-based plans would reclaim the waterfront, reconnect neighborhoods divided by highways, and bring downtown back to life: Downtown Revitalization, Outer Harbor, Inner Harbor, Black Rock Waterfront, Scajaquada Expressway and Humboldt Parkway.
The Result
By pursuing these priorities, Buffalo Niagara can become a global leader in economic vitality, cultural richness and sustainable urban living, and a model for regions everywhere that have been told their best days are behind them.
