By Roger Schroeder
With the demolition of Memorial Auditorium not slated to be completed until mid-2009 it appears significant construction activity may not occur for a few more summers on our newly reclaimed Erie Canal Harbor waterfront. With new docks in place, the canal re-watered and the pedestrian bridge in place, a large part of the infrastructure work is completed, which might come as a surprise to the casual visitor seeing the cleared site.
With big projects like Bass Pro on the horizon and so much completed on the site, there is great opportunity to build excitement and interest on this critical section of our city waterfront right now (this summer anyway). Building on our knowledge of how to create success with large city events like Taste of Buffalo, Allentown Art Festival, and Thursday in the Square we can create a albeit smaller but everyday "Canal Harbor Marketplace" in a temporary "for the summer" way. Maybe it is unfair to use our big events to evoke the excitement of public gathering when events like Gusto at the Gallery describe equally well how people love to gather in a great location surrounded by art, music and of course food.
Buildings alone will not accomplish this "desire to gather" which is why we anticipate the "Bass Pro" experience will get things rolling. Possibly it is time to grow a little impatient and say we want it now. Not in a "hurry to get it done way" but in a "hurry let's get it started way". We have the resources of musicians, artists and food vendors, all we need is the "place" . We know from experience its does not have to be permanent as long as it is a start.
And while buildings alone will not make this place, they help us define space and experience, as well providing the basic necessities of protection from the elements and public lavatories. A possible way to build something interesting and yet non-permanent might be shipping containers. Their strong construction allows them to be stacked, stable on gravel surfaces and easily moved to new locations. Shipping containers are relatively cheap and easily painted and converted to functional uses. This ability to be easily moved is a significant element to being located in an area under construction. The "marketplace" can be moved to accommodate new construction and permanent development on the site.
Many issues will arise about this interfering with what is planned or of it not being consistent to the historical theme of the site, but isn't the chance for this collective community discovery enticing ? The cultural and historical lesson contained here is what made this gathering place meaningful to people 150 years ago, to us today and to those yet to come. Can we inhabit this place now, in a way that is informed by our history, a reflection of some of the best aspects of our culture today and anticipatory of a bright future for those to come?
