Some points I’d like to make in response to the anti-Bass Pro letters and columns in this weekend’s Buffalo News.
The anti-Bass Pro folks would have you believe that Bass Pro will somehow magically revoke public access to the waterfront. It won’t, so let’s not pretend that it will.
They’ll tell you that Canal Side is suburban sprawl. It isn’t, so let’s not pretend that it is.
They’ll suggest that the Bass Pro version of Canal Side is a fait accompli and there will be no public input into the finalization of the plan. According to ECHDC, that is not true, so let’s not pretend that it is.
Finally, they’ll tell you that the Canal Side plan ignores history, that it is anti-preservation, and that it is a complete betrayal of the 2004 Master Plan for the inner harbor. About 50 feet of Canal terminus has been re-watered (the actual terminus is up in North Tonawanda), and none of the historical interpretation built into the 2004 plan has been diminished – only expanded. So, lets not pretend that it’s something that it’s not.
The Buffalo Record 
There is something unethical about Esmonde using the news as a propaganda tool to suppport a coordinated assult by a small group of wacko two-bit putsch artist.
regardless of whatever side of the debate you are on, that kind of rhetoric does nothing to actually help resolve the issue. in reality it hurts whatever side you advocate for by making you and it look… well, stupid.
Welll Jack , I think it does resolve it for me. And funny thing I dont feel … welll stupid , because I think I’m smart enough to see thru the little conspiracy. (Or did you think Esmode wote that column on 5 minute notice). And by the way, Stealing Meryl Steeps lines from the Devil Wears Prada, doesn’t make you look like well.. a rocket scientist..
“it won’t, it’s not, that is not true” doesn’t exactly disprove any points made by the anti bass pro folks.
Steal whointhewhatnow? Can’t say I’ve seen the movie you’re talking about or know what line “I stole.” But obviously, it is not resolved and people trying to make their minds up, like myself, read comments like yours and disregard them because they don’t sound like rational arguments.
You know, preservationists have done so much good for Buffalo in the past; we can’t thank them enough for helping to save critical parts of Buffalo’s architectural legacy and urban fabric. Now, though, they just seem to be crying “wolf!”. I fear that in the near future, when another true jewel in Buffalo’s past is threatened by demolition, and the preservationists rightly protest, nobody will listen to them.
I feel that a major point about this issues is being missed. I appreciate all of your comments but does anyone out there feel that if a change is suggested to the plan approved in 2004 that change should have to go through the same process of review that the original plan did. Seems fair to me.
> I appreciate all of your comments but does anyone out
> there feel that if a change is suggested to the plan
> approved in 2004 that change should have to go through
> the same process of review that the original plan did. Seems
> fair to me.
Buffalo doesn’t seem to have a fixed, predictable development review process. In many other municipalities, a major revision to a site plan — usually considered a site plan amendment — would require approval through the same process as the original plan. However, in those municipalities, such a process would have a fixed calendar timeline; not involve the multitude of public and closed-door meetings around town, lawsuits, and so on typical of the planning process in Buffalo.
I’m a fan of Donn Esmonde. He does a great job for the News and the area.
However, in my view, it is likely that his pretension of doom if Bass Pro invades the so called historical space on the canal is not conspiratorial, just wrong.
My wife and I visit the Bass Pro outlet and restaurant on the Inter-costal near Hollywood Florida each time we stay at our condominium. Buffalo would be fortunate to have such a remarkable, first class facility on our waterfront. It would certainly be a reason for visitors to come into the City- perhaps including some of my friends here in Amherst that heretofore have avoided the area.
Regardless, it would be terribly unfortunate if the same kind of cynical nay sayers that refused to entertain SUNY and the Stadium in the sacred Buffalo waterfront space would now put the kibosh on risk taking commercial endeavors that could anchor further development in the area.
Sometimes, if one can not get exactly what one wants, it might be prudent to accept what is possible and move on – least the less than perfect projects move on and leave our children to wonder why this generation like the last few generations focused stubbornly on narrow puristic or parochial interests to the detriment of our City.
I guess you can . Strange that he should say that because Glassgow is home to 50% of all the 20 story blocks in the UK, It is also home to some of the most avant-garde architecture in the UK, some of which is built right on the banks of the River Clyde. OHHH NOOO!! Wink…Wink.. Glassgows attracts because of it many music festivals, not because it has fake historical buildings (they rely on the real thing). Look elsewhere for a Messiah.
Once again, BuffaloPundit adheres to a selective definition of propaganda, namely: propaganda is what the other side says. A pity.
Awww. *sniff*.
I am fully aware that propaganda is being waged by both sides of the issue.
Talking about propaganda, for the record Glassgow has the highest murder rate in Europe, a very high crime rate and is considerated the most dangerious city in Great Britain.
The ghettoed working class gangs are famous for the Glassglow kiss and the joy of using knifes.
My son lived in outside of Glassgow in Scotland for a year. Hardcore place but great architecture.