Step 3: Implementation Strategy March 2014 This document was prepared for the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation with fi nancial assistance provided by the New York State Department of State Brownfi eld Opportunity Area Program, and with technical assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Contents i. Project Description ........................................................................................1 1.1 Project Sponsors.......................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Location of Study Area ............................................................................................................................1 1.3 Steps to BOA Adoption ............................................................................................................................1 1.4 Step 2 Project Overview and Description ................................................................................................2 1.5 Brownfi eld Opportunity Area Boundary Description and Justifi cation ...................................................6 1.6 Community Vision, Goals and Objectives ...............................................................................................8 ii. Public Participation Plan & Techniques to Enlist Partners ..........................12 2.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................12 2.2 Community Participation Plan (CPP) Step 2 Summary .......................................................................12 2.3 Community Participation Plan (CPP) Step 3 Summary ........................................................................12 2.4 Community & Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................13 2.5 Communication Strategies .....................................................................................................................16 2.6 Consultation Events with Community ...................................................................................................17 iii. Existing Conditions Analysis & Opportunities ...........................................19 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................19 3.2 Community and Regional Setting ..........................................................................................................21 3.2.1 Demographic Context ...................................................................................................................21 3.2.2 Market Context .............................................................................................................................27 3.2.3 City and Regional Challenges ......................................................................................................29 3.2.4 City and Regional Strengths and Opportunities ...........................................................................34 3.3 Land Use Patterns & Controls ...............................................................................................................37 3.3.1 Land Use Patterns .........................................................................................................................37 3.3.2 Existing and Proposed Land Use Controls ...................................................................................40 3.4 Economic Development Designations and Incentive Programs ............................................................48 3.5 Brownfi eld, Underutilized and Vacant Sites ..........................................................................................49 3.6 Strategic Brownfi eld Sites ......................................................................................................................51 3.7 Land Ownership .....................................................................................................................................56 3.8 Historic and Archaeological Resources .................................................................................................58 3.9 Transportation Systems ..........................................................................................................................60 3.10 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................................65 3.11 Natural Resources and Environmental Features ..................................................................................68 iv. Implementation Strategy ............................................................................81 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................81 4.2 Step 2 Nomination Study Summary ......................................................................................................83 4.2.1 Master Plan Land Use Update ......................................................................................................84 4.2.2 Precinct Areas Update ..................................................................................................................89 4.3 Buffalo Green Code Summary ...............................................................................................................96 4.4 RiverBend Summary ..............................................................................................................................99 4.5 Hopkins Street Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy ........................................................................101 4.5.1 Community Outreach ................................................................................................................104 4.5.2 Existing Conditions Summary ....................................................................................................105 4.5.3 Vision, Guiding Principles, Objectives and Actions ..................................................................109 4.6 South Buffalo Golf Course Feasibility Study Summary ......................................................................119 4.7 Buffalo Recreational Needs Assessment..............................................................................................123 4.8 Road Map to Success ...........................................................................................................................125 4.8.1 Strategy 1: Create Enjoyable Streets for Everyone ....................................................................131 Why is this needed? ......................................................................................................................131 Tifft Street Initiative ......................................................................................................................131 South Park Avenue Initiative ........................................................................................................136 Hopkins Street Initiative ...............................................................................................................139 Reading Avenue Initiative .............................................................................................................142 Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park Initiative .................................................................................144 Germania Street Initiative .............................................................................................................149 New Abby and Amelia Street Initiative ........................................................................................153 4.8.2 Strategy 2: Integrate Pedestrian Trails through the Community ................................................157 Why is this needed? ......................................................................................................................157 George J. Hartman Play Fields / Tifft Nature Preserve Trail Initiative ........................................157 Initiative 2.2: RiverBend Trail ......................................................................................................163 Initiative 2.3: Shoreline Trail (Greenway Trail Extension) ..........................................................165 Initiative 2.4: All-Tifft Trail ..........................................................................................................169 Initiative 2.5: Paper Street Trails ..................................................................................................170 Initiative 2.6: Bridging Water and Rail Lines ...............................................................................173 4.8.3 Strategy 3: Leverage Nature’s Economic & Social Potential .....................................................177 Why is this needed? ......................................................................................................................177 Initiative 3.1 Buffalo River Shoreline Restoration .......................................................................177 Initiative 3.2 Re-Tree Streetscapes ..............................................................................................181 Initiative 3.3 Stormwater Management ........................................................................................186