Battlezone: Webster Block

Late last week, two proposals to redevelop the Webster Block – across from the First Niagara Center and Canal Side – were put before the public. Physically similar, the major differences between the two plans is that one includes publicly accessible indoor ice rinks, costs more money, will take longer to build, and relies more heavily on public money. 

Submitting the two proposals for public vetting and comment, for the use of land the City currently holds, is laudable. However, I will be not at all surprised to see it devolve right into bitter litigation, because of the ease with which that can happen, and stymie the whole project. It’s cost of doing business in our so-called “lighter, cheaper, faster” placemaking/crowdsourcing development culture in contemporary Buffalo. It’s also why our skyline has not changed significantly since the 1960s. 

First, the Sabres’ proposal. Costing over $123 million, with a promise of 450 permanent jobs, “HarborCenter” is projected to open in mid-2015, include two ice rinks, and rely somewhat heavily on public incentives and subsidies, although the exact figure hasn’t been determined.  It features a sports bar, hotel space, retail space, and a 965-space parking garage. 

Next, here’s a proposal put forth by “Webster Block, LLC”, a joint venture led by Carl Paladino’s Ellicott Development. It features retail space, residential condos, a hotel, office space, and 1,089-space parking garage. 

 

Recognizing that design is largely subjective, I somewhat prefer the Paladino proposal. I don’t like the overuse of brick in every new development save the Avant, and these two proposals incorporate that. The archways over the street-level retail in the Paladino plan, along with the awnings and other features one typically sees in big-city urban developments appeal to me. I have seen some criticism about the visibility of the parking ramp in the Paladino proposal, but the Sabres’ renderings seem to conveniently omit that, so Webster Block, LLC gets points for transparency on that point. 

But the brick-and-windows designs are, to me, so late-80s post-modern. The clean simplicity of the Avant should be a model for contemporary high-rise design in Buffalo. This all looks like an NYU or BU dorm, ca. 1986. 

Aside from money and the need for subsidies, the major difference here is the Sabres’ inclusion of two rinks. I think it’s a pretty neat idea, especially if there’s non-hockey related just general skate time available to local and visiting families. Adding amateur hockey space to downtown is clearly a positive, and would be a great asset to have to attract league play and tournaments to downtown. 

But either way, Buffalo wins. This isn’t currently a site, but a blight; another surface parking lot in a city jam-packed with them. It’s the site where the Adelphia Tower was supposed to go – first 40 stories, then 15, then zero as Adelphia went out of business, in disgrace during the last decade.  Anticipating complaints about parking – of course you need parking. It’s not the existence of parking that’s bad, but its visibility and use – a surface lot is an utter waste of space, but a parking garage nestled within a larger project and hidden from view is an absolute necessity. Anticipating complaints about the historic nature of the site of some sort, any such complaints would be disingenuous nonsense. No one moaned about historical significance during the decades during which it was a parking lot. Is someone going to complain that it should be a replica of the original Webster Block? A low grouping of brownstone warehouses

Either proposal would enhance the area around the Arena and Canal Side. Either proposal would be a net plus for the inner harbor area of downtown Buffalo. Either proposal would be a welcome change from the status quo. We have to get past the mentality where one person can halt civic progress for the public benefit with one lawsuit. I wonder if we’ll get there with this project. 

Looking up Main Street 1905 (Shorpy.com)

If you want to add your two cents, you can email the city at websterblockrfp@city-buffalo.com.

11 comments

  • I’m not a fan of more public subsidy, but the Sabres’ proposal with the ice rinks really is a great idea. As hockey mad as WNY is, ice time is still hard to come by.  Three rinks in two blocks would be a HUGE advantage to drawing some amateur tournaments too. 

  • I like the Sabre’s plan as well. We’re a snow town, and nothing fits better than hockey. If either of them would just include one of those year round inflatable (painted to look like brick to fit in) ski resorts, then we are in business.

  • How many amateur tournaments does the ice rink in Amherst attract?

    • A lot. 

      Two rinks right downtown with an attached hotel would be an easier sell for some of these tourneys. It’s easier to shuffle people down an elevator than driving 15 minutes. 
      Also keep in mind that the Sabres are working with Canisus to build a facility for their program. Their Webster proposal would include facilities for this purpose. (ECC’s teams would also be in play here.)

      Now you have two rinks downtown for public use, a place for NCAA hockey games and tournaments (including the Frozen Four), as well as amateur/youth hockey tourneys, all with retail and hotels within walking distance. 

      It’s a better idea than more office space. 

      •  Also do not forget, in the Paladino proposal , the office space is conditional and will only be included if there is a market demand for class A at the time of construction. The dude has been sitting on  his hands  for his proposed court st office building for 5 years now. So whats the chance?

      • Heard a rumor that Pegula is also working with the USA National Sled hockey team to bring them to Buffalo as a home base. I think currently they are in Rochester.

    • The USA Hockey Nationals

  • I’ll echo the sentiments of “HOCKEY GUD

  • Setting the actual designs aside, what public benefit will there be from building more hotel space, restaurant space, and apartment space downtown? The only benefit I can see in either proposal is the opportunity to ice skate downtown.

    Are we expecting our population to grow? Do we not have enough buildings here? I thought one of our problems is that our population has been shrinking since 1950 and we do not have enough people and tax base to support our infrastructure.  

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