BCP_book 6-06 v.7:BCP_book 6-06 9/25/06 4:47 PM Page 201 Century Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan st 21 Queen City in the Byron W. Brown, MAYOR WWW.CITY-BUFFALO.COM OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING Timothy E. Wanamaker, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Adopted February 7, 2006 BCP_book 6-06 v.7:BCP_book 6-06 9/25/06 4:47 PM Page 202 BCP_book 6-06 v.7:BCP_book 6-06 9/25/06 4:47 PM Page I Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan Queen City in the 21st Century Bryon W. Brown, MAYOR WWW.CITY-BUFFALO.COM OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING Timothy E. Wanamaker, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Adopted February 7, 2006 BCP_book 6-06 v.7:BCP_book 6-06 9/25/06 4:47 PM Page II Queen City in the 21st Century Table of Contents Preface ......................................................................................................IV Executive Summary............................................................................................1 About this plan ....................................................................................................................................3 I. Buffalo in 2030: A vision...................................................................................................................4 Part One: Challenges, Resources, Context .........................................................................................6 1.1 The Region .....................................................................................................................6 1.2 Population ......................................................................................................................8 Recent Trends ..............................................................................................................8 2030 Population Projection .........................................................................................9 1.3 Economy .......................................................................................................................10 Century National trends..........................................................................................................10 Sectoral Shifts in the Region......................................................................................10 st Location of Employment............................................................................................11 Emerging Policies, Ongoing Programs .......................................................................12 The Role of Downtown Buffalo .................................................................................14 21 Preparing Land for New Development.......................................................................16 Improving Transportation...........................................................................................17 Neighborhood Economic Development .....................................................................17 1.4 Community...................................................................................................................19 Race, Ethnicity and Diversity ......................................................................................19 Public Safety..............................................................................................................21 Housing and Neighborhoods.....................................................................................23 Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization ..................................................................28 Public Education ........................................................................................................30 Arts, Culture and Heritage.........................................................................................33 Historic Architecture ..................................................................................................36 1.5 Environment.................................................................................................................39 Climate Change and Air Quality................................................................................40 Water Quality and the Great Lakes............................................................................40 The Waterfront..........................................................................................................42 Public Parks ...............................................................................................................44 Green Building ..........................................................................................................51 1.6 Infrastructure ...............................................................................................................51 Transportation ...........................................................................................................52 Water and Sewer.......................................................................................................54 Queen City in the Municipal Buildings ...................................................................................................55 Energy .......................................................................................................................55 Telecommunications ..................................................................................................56 1.7 Financial Capacity and Control...................................................................................56 1.8 Planning and Zoning ...................................................................................................57 Part Two: Policies, Priorities and Programs ......................................................................................59 2.1 Key Principles..................................................................................................................60 Sustainability .............................................................................................................60 Smart Growth ...........................................................................................................61 Fix the Basics, Build on Assets....................................................................................62 2.2 Development Scenarios...................................................................................................62 Alternative A: Trend...................................................................................................63 Alternative B: Urban Revitalization.............................................................................64 Alternative C: Corridor/ Activity Center .....................................................................64 Alternative D: Integrated Regional Center .................................................................65 Methodological Assumptions ....................................................................................65 II Table of Contents BCP_book 6-06 v.7:BCP_book 6-06 9/25/06 4:47 PM Page III Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan 2.3 Plan Relationships and Structure.....................................................................................67 Plan Relationships......................................................................................................67 Plan Structure............................................................................................................67 2.4 Development Priorities and Planning Policies ..................................................................68 Deliver Quality Public Services....................................................................................69 Maintain Public Infrastructure....................................................................................70 Transform Buffalo's Economy ....................................................................................71 The City and Regional Vision.....................................................................................72 Buffalo's Regional Role..............................................................................................73 A Modern Mixed Economy........................................................................................73 Land for the New Economy.......................................................................................74 Clean Up Brownfields................................................................................................76 Implement Key Transportation Projects ......................................................................76 Public Transit .............................................................................................................78 Implement the Downtown Plan.................................................................................80 Develop Heritage and Culture ...................................................................................83 Restructure Economic Development Agencies ...........................................................83 Reconstruct the Public Schools ..................................................................................84 Rebuild Neighborhoods .............................................................................................85 Plan with Neighborhoods ..........................................................................................86 Focus Investments for Maximum Impact....................................................................87 Link Housing and Economic Development.................................................................88 Manage