Satisfying news coming out of the Buffalo News today about Carl Paladino beginning the planning process for the 3rd condo tower in the last remaining parcel around it.

Architecturally speaking the whole place is mediocre at best and urban planning-wise its a disaster. Making vast amounts of waterfront property private, parking in the front almost everywhere, and pathetic connectivity to the adjacent central business district-all mortal sins in the world of planning. Sadly, that is partly why this place works. People with money want to be downtown but they don’t trust it enough to live where they’d have to interact with the crazies and hobos and the non-existent criminals roaming around. Times have changed since the 80’s when this part of the waterfront became high-end residential-but the mindset has only changed for the better slightly.

What is good about this place is that it was able to attract people with money to pay property taxes in the city of Buffalo and to create some sort of residential/waterfront momentum while nothing else could. With it now attaining a fairly high density for Buffalo standards, it potentially creates the need for a nearby grocery store, coffee shops, clothing stores, and other everyday needs.

I’m excited to see this community finally get build out. Perhaps in the future as people need more sustainable living-the wealthy residents will demand better infrastructure that creates great multi-modal connections to their surroundings, creating a more vibrant downtown. For now, its just good to see the demand for residential space in downtown Buffalo to keep strong.

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