HSBC Arena

[nostyle126]

Call me crazy, but with HSBC Arena's prime location on the waterfront, isn't a TON of potential being wasted on the backside of the building? Like so many buildings in Buffalo, it seems like the architect simply didn't even bother to give the backside any thought whatsoever. Think of how cool the waterfront side of HSBC Arena could be with a little investment. Yet another example of wasted waterfront in Buffalo. I hope somebody someday realizes the potential and does something about it.

[darksabre]

So where do you suggest they put the skyway and the nfta metro rail building?

[nostyle126]

So where do you suggest they put the skyway and the nfta metro rail building?

If money weren't a problem, the Skyway should be made a tunnel. City planners have felt that for a long time now. The 190 and Skyway are burdens to what could be a gorgeous waterfront all the way along downtown and into Riverside.

 

And while you could redevelop ground level to be more pedestrian-friendly on the backside of the arena, you don't have to limit it to just ground level. How about a 2nd story mezzanine? An open area with a bar? Or an enclosed area with windows that reveal the waterfront? A lot could've been done on the backside of the arena.

[inkman]

The backside is an often forgotten enjoable place.

[tom webster]

If money weren't a problem, the Skyway should be made a tunnel. City planners have felt that for a long time now. The 190 and Skyway are burdens to what could be a gorgeous waterfront all the way along downtown and into Riverside.

 

And while you could redevelop ground level to be more pedestrian-friendly on the backside of the arena, you don't have to limit it to just ground level. How about a 2nd story mezzanine? An open area with a bar? Or an enclosed area with windows that reveal the waterfront? A lot could've been done on the backside of the arena.

 

 

The 100 level harbor club was designed to look out to the waterfront with an outdoor deck. Unfortunately they are still waiting for something to look out to.

[FogBat]

The backside is an often forgotten enjoyable place.

Please tell the whole board that your mind wasn't in the gutter when you posted that... :unsure:

 

I know mine wasn't when the thread was started.

[inkman]

My state of mind doesn't change locations, it merely sways between perverse and vile.

[static70]

So where do you suggest they put the skyway and the nfta metro rail building?

Route 5 is not needed along Fhurman Blvd. It could just as easily be swung east in Lack. and connected to the 190.

 

Now your talking civil engineering, and everything that is recognized today as vital to this, that or the other, people must remember, that same area had importance in a different fashion upon its build out. Buffalo started as a port city, as a matter of fact, shipping played the largest role in the development of this area. I.E. the Erie Barge Canal and early Rail traffic in and out of the area. Unfortunately, Chicago quickly became recognized as the real "Gateway To The West" via rail access and much of the shipping from the grain and mining industries in the upper midwest were redirected there early on.

This is not to say Buffalo doesn't have a role to play, but its original role was short lived.

 

Buffalo did, however, play a pivotal role in the birth and build out of the modern day American electrical grid. And it did capitalize early on with its vision of Niagara Falls, one of the wonders of the world. The real problem in this area is not the weather, its not location, ITS THE LACK OF VISION AND LEADERSHIP WITH VISION.

 

This, combined with the stiffling road blocks put up by Albany via taxes, regulations, etc. etc. have combined to create a situation where the lack of investment is actually causing the direct collapse economically of the area. The failure to build modern, family friendly tourism industries in Niagara Falls as well as this same failure of encouraging investment for manufacturing and modern, enviromentally friendly industries in the Buffalo business corridor are really the core of all that is wrong with this area.

 

This area has the potential to be #1 in green energy production or at the very least, the gateway to the NorthEast Power Pool for Green Energy heading east from other areas of the midwest. Failure to capitalize on opportunities such as these are prime examples of the real lack of leadership in the region.

 

No Vision = Failure.

[biodork]

The real problem in this area is not the weather, its not location, ITS THE LACK OF VISION AND LEADERSHIP WITH VISION.

 

Great post, and I have to agree with you. I'm not from the city but I remember the first time I made it up to HSBC for a game, and I was shocked at how abandoned much of the surrounding area appeared. I'm not sure why there aren't more restaurants and bars near the arena that stay open late after the games; the hot spots are always packed beforehand, and it seems like people would stick around after and continue to spend money if there were options downtown. Most of you guys know these places better than I do, but from what I've seen you almost have to go back uptown to go out afterwards (unless you hit up Cobblestone). So much untapped potential!

[static70]

Great post, and I have to agree with you. I'm not from the city but I remember the first time I made it up to HSBC for a game, and I was shocked at how abandoned much of the surrounding area appeared. I'm not sure why there aren't more restaurants and bars near the arena that stay open late after the games; the hot spots are always packed beforehand, and it seems like people would stick around after and continue to spend money if there were options downtown. Most of you guys know these places better than I do, but from what I've seen you almost have to go back uptown to go out afterwards (unless you hit up Cobblestone). So much untapped potential!

Thanks, and I speak from first hand experience at dealing with the Political, Business and Labor sectors of the area for development, atleast on the energy side of things.

Taxes are pathetic, especially in WNY compared to cost of living expenditures and the incremental rise of it over the course of an examined decade or period of time. Unions are a large part of the problem, not on the private sector side, but most definitely governmental employment. Its not good. People, everyday regular citizens should take the time to run a deep investigation and run the numbers themselves, its beyond scary, its a doomed system that ultimately every citizen locally will pay dearly for, not only in the absurd taxation policies, but also with the inevitable fall out that has been proven to directly corralate to the lack of or down right disappearance of fresh investment into the area.

 

Sadly, its a nepotistic system here where the "every group for themselves" or the "I don't care as long as I get mine" mentality has such an overstatedly obvious affect on the area that it hits in the nose when you try to climb out of bed, let alone walk out your front door. But, I digress, this is one of a dozen variables that are the staples of failed policies and the lack of BALLS from the citizens to truly take a stand via the electoral process. Nope, not here in WNY. The status quo will do thank you very much mind set is alive and well with the populas at large.

 

And it is sad, truly sad. Leadership isn't provided at any single level, not the political, not the business, nope, its starts with the citizens and their willingness to dedicate the amount of time in their lives that is necessary to effect change. I await the day the larger portion of what I liked to call the "dis-interested" or, more appropriately, the "dumbed down" of our communities to awaken to this real issue and take the measures necessary to get involved.

[darksabre]

I'm working on the leadership thing guys, but I'm going to need you all as my kitchen cabinet.

[static70]

I'm working on the leadership thing guys, but I'm going to need you all as my kitchen cabinet.

Well, if your running for public office at the municiple, county or state level, whats your vision?

 

If your looking to be a business leader in the community, RUN! Run as fast as you can to the state line :thumbsup: .

 

In all seriesness though, my business partners want me to relocate Eninthal (our company) to the mid southwest or mountain states due to friendly business environments. But I have this drive inside of me that tells me Our company can make a difference here. I have been pressing very hard toward that end. It is such a difficult road, a long, frought with obstacles road.

 

I shall endeavour to percervier.

[darksabre]

Well, if your running for public office at the municiple, county or state level, whats your vision?

 

If your looking to be a business leader in the community, RUN! Run as fast as you can to the state line :thumbsup: .

 

In all seriesness though, my business partners want me to relocate Eninthal (our company) to the mid southwest or mountain states due to friendly business environments. But I have this drive inside of me that tells me Our company can make a difference here. I have been pressing very hard toward that end. It is such a difficult road, a long, frought with obstacles road.

 

I shall endeavour to percervier.

 

I'm just gonna run for mayor. I figure that if Byron Brown can do it, any idiot can. Right?

[static70]

I'm just gonna run for mayor. I figure that if Byron Brown can do it, any idiot can. Right?

Touche' :worthy:

[sweeper]

Personally I think they should have some sort of overhead walkway over "Seymour Knox III way" (aka Main St.) and build a mostly indoor MetroRail Station. In the winter, how nice would it be to never have to leave some sort of shelter to catch the train back uptown.

 

There are also some storefronts facing that side that would be great to have an actual business in.

[Eleven]

I'm just gonna run for mayor. I figure that if Byron Brown can do it, any idiot can. Right?

 

Well, any idiot with the support of Len Lenihan.

[calti]

Route 5 is not needed along Fhurman Blvd. It could just as easily be swung east in Lack. and connected to the 190.

 

Now your talking civil engineering, and everything that is recognized today as vital to this, that or the other, people must remember, that same area had importance in a different fashion upon its build out. Buffalo started as a port city, as a matter of fact, shipping played the largest role in the development of this area. I.E. the Erie Barge Canal and early Rail traffic in and out of the area. Unfortunately, Chicago quickly became recognized as the real "Gateway To The West" via rail access and much of the shipping from the grain and mining industries in the upper midwest were redirected there early on.

This is not to say Buffalo doesn't have a role to play, but its original role was short lived.

 

Buffalo did, however, play a pivotal role in the birth and build out of the modern day American electrical grid. And it did capitalize early on with its vision of Niagara Falls, one of the wonders of the world. The real problem in this area is not the weather, its not location, ITS THE LACK OF VISION AND LEADERSHIP WITH VISION.

 

This, combined with the stiffling road blocks put up by Albany via taxes, regulations, etc. etc. have combined to create a situation where the lack of investment is actually causing the direct collapse economically of the area. The failure to build modern, family friendly tourism industries in Niagara Falls as well as this same failure of encouraging investment for manufacturing and modern, enviromentally friendly industries in the Buffalo business corridor are really the core of all that is wrong with this area.

 

This area has the potential to be #1 in green energy production or at the very least, the gateway to the NorthEast Power Pool for Green Energy heading east from other areas of the midwest. Failure to capitalize on opportunities such as these are prime examples of the real lack of leadership in the region.

 

No Vision = Failure.

 

I missed the exit for the rainbow bridge last winter.had to go down a few blocks before turning around.I thought I was in Mogadishu.

[FogBat]

Well, any idiot with the support of Len Lenihan.

You've got to be kidding me! That guy's still in the Erie County Legislature???

[Eleven]

You've got to be kidding me! That guy's still in the Erie County Legislature???

 

No, it's much, much worse; he runs the Erie County democratic party. Thinks it's fun if the "party" endorses candidates before the primary. Isn't the point of a primary to find out whom the party endorses?

[FogBat]

No, it's much, much worse; he runs the Erie County democratic party. Thinks it's fun if the "party" endorses candidates before the primary. Isn't the point of a primary to find out whom the party endorses?

IOW, even Joe Crangle wasn't that bad

[Sabre Dance]

I think what bothers me most is seeing the other arenas around the league - some of them are located in a nice park-like setting with fountains and grass. Ours is stuck under the Skyway and from the back, looks like a natural gas storage tank. The surrounding area is all parking lots, streets and sidewalks. Ugh! Looks like LQ is moving the waterfront project along just as fast as the Sabres' Cup quest. In fact, they both should be ready about 2020, give or take a couple of years....:wallbash: