Finally got the chance to walk around one of the “10 best planned communities in America” for the 1st time in half a year. The new B-P Museum is really starting to take shape. Its definitely an interesting building but I gotta ask Gwathmey and Siegel…why?! Why the big blank wall against Elmwood? Really don’t understand that. There are a lot of interesting forms around the building…no two sides looks alike and G-S does great interiors for museums as a rule. Time will tell but I think this will be an interesting yet slightly dissapointing building if for no reason other than the blank wall on Elmwood.

Obviously things can change but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chris Collins won County Executive afterall. Although Giambra seemingly ruined any potential for the Republican Party in the area, I think people around here are willing to put the party allegiances to the side to vote for a reformer who “creates jobs” in the private sector. I think labeling Keane as a “career politician” (which by the way isn’t a bad thing but has become the insult du jour recently) is a move that will help Collins win even more since there is no confidence/trust whatsoever in local politicians.

I don’t know a lot about him but I think people are excited at the opportunity for something different to be running the show. Especially someone who is big on money management.

If he wins I’m sure people will be upset about his unwillingness to fund a lot of things that people want. Forget the bed tax, and don’t get your hopes up for much funding for the arts/cultural institutions.

Managing a government like a private business could make for some interesting times.

Oh and by the way…if you do a google image search for “chris collins + buffalo” you’ll get some totally x-treme pictures of Phill Collins’ 1978 concert in Buffalo…in case you were wondering.

I don’t blog about politics. I’m neither democrat nor republican. But I’m watching the Daily Show and I heard Lynne Cheney say possibly the most insensitve thing I’ve ever heard on TV…

I paraphrase…

Cheney: We haven’t been attacked in 6 years. Thats a great accomplishment by the administration. During the Clinton administration we were still being attacked overseas between the 93 and 01 bombings.

Stewart: But terrorists have attacked Spain and England since 9/11.

Cheney: But we’re talking about American Interests.

Awesome.

Last Friday a few friends and I went to the “Party at the Plaza” event outside of HSBC Arena for the home opener.

Basically hundreds and hundreds of young people all clusterd together to stand in front of a large screen for three hours. And then go home…or somewhere not downtown.

And then the game ended. 18,690 people left the arena, hundreds left the plaza and all convened onto Main and Perry. With nothing to do in sight. The wait for the light rail was crowded beyond a DC metro stop at rush hour, and dozens upon dozens of people who didn’t want to wait decided to just walk up Main Street until they either reached their parking lot or a place to eat/drink. It was a warm night so we didn’t mind walking up to Chippewa and Delaware.

But thats not the point. The point is that the area immediately surrounding the arena should and has to be developed into a great place to hang out and spend time/money. And I don’t understand why it hasn’t been already outside of investors being deathly afraid to test an untapped market.

Yeah its cold most of hockey season, but if you give 18,690 people a reason to walk outside for 1-2 maybe 3 minutes to somewhere…they’ll do it. They walk just as far to the many surface lots they park on anyways. There is no excuse for Canal Side to not be a great destination of stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

Just wanted to make that clear.

I was excited about the Buffalo News embracing the concept of blogging when they released their new website, but for the most part-the blogging was dissapointing. However-they have revamped the page this fall/late summer and actually give us a sneak peek at the renderings by Flynn Battaglia for the rehab of the Genny Block.

The Buffalo News has some of if not the best access to these kinds of things…here’s hoping they share more of the goods like this more often.

Look at any Buffalo skyline picture in 1971. Look at one from 2001. Tell me if you see a difference. Key Towers? Check. Goldome? Check. Three modest additions since the Marine Midland Tower was up and running over the course of 35 years.

But what about 2011?

All of a sudden things are popping up.

The Federal Courthouse officially began construction today…

The Seneca’s unveiled their 22-story luxury hotel to be completed in 2010

The newest condo tower at Waterfront Place is under construction…

Usually forgotten in the mix is Paladino’s 50 Court. Which is apparently only being held back by a lawsuit by the Paul Hotung of the Liberty Group who wants and feels that legally-he should have the priority to that spot for a parking garage. Hopefully Paladino wins.

Of course, Issa’s “City Tower” which could see construction begin in 2009 depending on how Bashar is doing in regard to getting tennants.

And then way up town 33 Gates Circle after imminent years of lawsuit time could go up once all the old people against it die. (5-10 years?)

If all these projects occur-all of a sudden there will be a rush of new building stock in the city of Buffalo within about 5 years of each other after three decades of stagnation.

Not bad.