Buffalo Rising Online

OMG this is amazing its too bad our politicians have no foresight.

How about the hanging gardens of Buffalo??? Ok maybe ive taken it too far lol

this would be cool.....hopefully it will become a reality. anything is better than what we have now.

On the bright side maybe we can [deleted due to violent nature of comment].

lol omg

The extra renderings really help. Now, now I get it. Wait, I lost it. Bad idea.

If there is no money to take down the skyway, then why is BRO even talking about getting rid of the 190.

Didn't they have that look at the Embarcadero in SanFran when they stopped the building the elevated expressway. I don't remember it being a big tourist attraction. In fact it was considered an eyesore.

I like it.

It's hard to imagine a more dangerous set of circumstances than this monstrosity. Parks have a tendency to be magnets for crime during the evening hours. Why? because they're typically large and isolated from where other peopl emight be passing. If there's no through road running through the park at night, there's no reason for anyone but criminals to be congregating there.

This idiotic idea takes it the next step by further isolating it 6 stories into the air. I promise that this park would quickly devolve into an area that no respectible person would ever want to visit. I don't understand how members of this website who seem so eager to name drop Jane Jacobs can lose all frame of reference at the site of some fancy renderings. Isolation = danger. Park = isolation; elavated park = hyper isolation. This is the worst idea in a history of bad ideas

http://www.thehighline.org/

By any chance was this article sitting in a folder labeled "post on April 1"? If it wasn't, it should've been.

I kind of like the idea but doubt anyone from Western NY would take the time to climb those stairs...

Combine the weather museum idea with this concept and maybe this could go somewhere... A portion of the museum could be entered in the Erie Canal harbor district and then elevators could bring people up to an enlosed elevated space that leads to the aerial park concept and provides a unique perspective on the city and waterfront, not to mention the weather.

The only way to make it work is to partner it with another idea.

Unless, of course they put a bar on the third and fifth level. Perhaps a Taco place on the top?

It could be the world's longest bungee jumping park, or on a windy day it could be opened for hang gliders who could soar all the way to the Finger Lakes.

The full length rendering in the first article today makes no sense. Part of the reason to take down the Skyway is to open up all the land below it for development opportunities. The increased value of the land values and new property tax revenue were key parts or what makes the Milwaukee discussion realistic. Even if just a couple of sections were to be kept, presumably spanning the river for aesthetics, the cost, safety and maintenance issues could be prohibitive. Nothing is coming down too soon anyway so Tim has more time to try to make a case for this idea.

Is this for real? If it is, this really takes the cake as the most outrageous thing ever. Just leave the sky way up instead of something like this.

How about enclosing the top part from the elements by enclosing it in glass so during the winter one can take in the views too this could also be tied to the new weather museum

My only real concern would be how the fumes from the Peace Bridge would impact this proposal, maybe Zimmerman can post something, Zimmy? Where are you? Where did you go? Zimmy,,,Zimmy

if it no longer is an elevated highway it no longer would have the negative impacts it has today. The noise would be gone, the fumes would be gone, the falling snow and car parts would be gone. THese are the things that really destroy the value of the land underneath.

If broken down in size and limited the maintenance wouldn't be nearly as much. One or two segments would be easier to maintain then 10. Plus the addition of ivy, green, stairs, an elevator, a building could go a long way to bringing it down in scale. Then again I dont think it is purely a scale problem it is a use problem. maybe there could be an enclosed tube along the edge on the top of observe weather all year round. I must say to be able to be at the top of that during a thunderstorm or a blizzard sounds thrilling. Almost like those tubes that goe through the water at an aquarium. I agree that if people just think it is too big keeping it would be hypocritical but removing 4/5 of it does dramatically reduce it, its impact, its maintenance and its problems.

Plus there is a sustainability aspect of keeping it. Maybe by keeping a part of it we can recreate this as an object of beauty. It is ugly because it doesn't work for people around it or near it. It doesn't have to be that way and I do think there are options that could make it beautiful and a one of a kind object in the world to visit. Come to niagara falls.. and see them from atop buffalo's skypark.

Ah yes! Now this is what I'm talking about!

http://bebuffalo.blogspot.com/2007/11/innovate-buffalo.html

You would not build a raised highway around a tropical island and though it may seem funny to keep any bit of the skyway, we would be providing a different reason for people to visit. Hey look at us, we forged ahead and found a way to use this damn thing, light the flares, build a signal fire and get off the island! Why make any kind of investment with this skyway over head? Those new buildings will be a ghost town.

A project like this could provide a ritualistic connection to the outer harbor. Who knows maybe we build a new football stadium in the distant future? Walking on the surface of the skyway would be like surfing on top of a van.(a hot summer day!! Nothing like it!) There could be so many ways to make it serve the public interest. There are just too many possibilities to not try and find a solution.

AHH I hate it when my comments disappear.. ok well I was just going to say that this can be a dusk to dawn operation that closes and can by physically locked down at night. Plus most parks are NOT dangerous places at night, those places that might be dangerous are those places that have a bad neighborhood around them. I have walked and rode my bike through Delaware and Riverside parks at all hours of the night and usually the only person around. This would be both locked and without a ghetto around it to supply it with delinquents. No one is going to go all the way down here, and up those stairs to cause trouble.. they are as lazy as everyone else and why cause trouble miles from home when you can cause trouble in your neighborhood hang out.

Also laziness and "no one would ever walk up there" is a HORRIBLE reason to not do something potentially terrific. Most of those other monuments didn't have elevators when they were constructed. Maybe we should just get off our lazy butts once and a while and 6 stories wouldn't be such a problem. I am sure there are PLENTY of people around that wouldn't mind getting a little exercise and a wonderful view to boot.

I was thinking this was pretty ridiculous until I saw the version over at BuffaloGeek. Take a look at that one, it actually looks manageable, mostly because it creates interior space that could be used as, in my imagine, the Weather Museum or the Buffalo Rising Market that was in discussion 2 years ago for the Delaware Terminal.

The link bison716 posted above goes to a totally different Skyway reuse idea from somebody else as described on Buffalo Geek's blog. That one is not a "park" on top of half-a-Skyway, but instead keeps the whole thing converted to an enclosed pedestrian path way:

Imagine the Buffalo Skyway creatively re-engineered and readapted to function as a signature “green” multi-use mega-structure, complete with a glass enclosed “green roof” and pedestrian pathway instead of as an overhead roadway. In addition to creating 400,000 sq. ft. of usable multi-purpose floor space, its 32,000 sq. ft. of enclosed roof would allow the people of Buffalo to walk and enjoy the elevated views year-round in a conservatory-like setting. It would also create a walkway to and from downtown and the waterfront. ...

Financially it might turn out to be just as bad as this thing here, who knows, but at least that one would result in something much more functional.

whole thing with drawings on BG's post here

combine the idea behind the two schemes with the incorporation of the weather museum. hire a great architect.

the buffalo geek one seems like an expensive way to make it be something we already have. though i like the bridge idea and the artwork is catchy. this proposal does not really run with any ideas. restrooms, elevators,alternative energy, building on the bridge, lighting, where exactly they want to start and end, shelter.Just basically how to incorporate it into the inner harbor project.

maybe rockwalls.. ziplines? miniature golf? a roller coaster? prostitutes?

impressing, yeah it does have a lot of gimmicky aspects and the pathway would cover very long distance. Probably after looking at details it would eventually seem almost as bad as Tielman's idea IMHO. Both very impractical novelty/luxury concepts that would be another mouth to feed at budget time. Just another way to pretend money grows on trees while complaining we have the highest taxes.

At some point demolition will probably make the most sense, once a replacement road is planned, argued funded, litigated, designed, reargued, relitigated, redesigned, fully funded, then built. Demo is expensive too, but at least it's a one time thing.

im for the weather center complex idea, build a three story building with an elevator from the roof to the skyway. it could be the "weather obsevation platform" enclose part nearest the elevator in glass structure for fowl weather viewing and the rest can be opened up like a viewing platform . could be very nice any time of the year. nice summer breezes or the snow would look beautiful coming down on the city on a not so windy night. and if its to windy just sit in the enclosed area. could be very nice. compaing it to the existing use of the skyway makes no sense....it would be and perceived to be totally differant.

yeah i went back to look at the plan because it seemed silly to disapprove of something with such nice drawings. They definitely do a great job at visioning the skyway for greater use and in some areas it works. I guess i would not know how to consider it for winter use and might be happy with the imperial walker look.

I don't see enough reason to make the land under the skyway valuable(maybe in some locations). Just removing it from the heart of the inner harbor would be a big enough success.

it kind of reminds me of an amusement ride or something. After a day of summer shopping, i could see how people would be intrigued by the accessible view. Though if we ever built a football stadium, this would be the coolest way to connect it to the city.

I hate it.

Too much of it is saved in these renderings but I love it. It is hard to find anything truly unique these days. Everywhere is so much the same but nowhere else'd have this. The highline in NY is just 25' off the ground. Put an elevator in. Lock it up at 10 pm....just do it.

YUK!

This is more like it: http://buffalogeek.wnymedia.net/blogs/2007/12/07/skyway-to-the-future/

ok - i didn't read all 63 or so comments - but the SKYWAY needs to come down totally. The whole point of taking the skyway down is better access to the outer harbor. Keeping the skyway or any portion of it will be a determent to the City of Buffalo's waterfront.

Guys, don't be misled by ideas to keep the skyway - for any reason. Apparently, someone comes into town, but still doesn't have any idea what Buffalo actually needs. Be careful.

This is a terrible idea.

Yikes! Suicide Central? Seems pretty dang dangerous. Unless that's part of the fun.. bunji jumping anyone?

20 years from now we will all be having the same stupid conversation about tearing down the skyway, nothing will change.

It wouldnt be ruins

RisingDamp - the more I read your posts the more I like you !!

Be careful for galaxyjay, though -

Any one supporting that hulking structure on buffalogeek would have to be out of their minds. It appers to be a gazillon dollar enclosed walking path to nowhere. There is no multiuse purpose in the world to justify the kind of investment that those rendering would require. I thought they were trying to pass themselves off as the moderate/reality driven site???

As any gardener would know, nothing will grow up there as the roots would freeze in the winter!

just another waste of tim tielman's time

MONORAIL....MONORAIL...MONORAIL....at least you're bringing some cominc relief to the website. This has to be the worst proposed idea i have ever heard...this is the same highway which people have been blown off of by the wind and you're seriously proposing a PARK? Not to mention how many stairs to the top? you really think anyone is going to climb all the way to the top? the problem with the skyway is that it cuts off the waterfront and it is an eyesore, so i have an idea, let's give up on trying to tear it down and build a bloody park. grand idea. have you completely run out of material to write about?

Somethings should have never been built.... the Skyway is one of those things

WNYmedia's drawings represent a couple different ideas. one being the entire skyway (more costly), one being a small section of it near the current aud site. a majority of the structure would be mixed use, not just a giant walkway to nowhere..

I don't think its a matter of favoring one idea or the other at this point. But you have to admit the WNYmedia idea makes a hundred times more sense than the BRO suicide tower.

LOL at the monorail comment. If anyone has seen the episode before, the situation is pretty analogous to Lyle Lanley selling springfield that monorail. All Tim Tielman needs is a catchy song.

Seriously though, the skyway isn't going anywhere anytime soon so I don't see the big fuss. Maybe if some money was allocated to the project I can see the hype but its here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Just curious, are the people who bitch that there's no vision or forward thinking here the same ones who then blow up every idea that is progressive? Yeah, yeah, I get the whole how would you pay for it angle but these are just drawings for crying out loud. As an exercise in "what if?", these concepts are really interesting. Are the negative nellies not even able to admit that? The comments about safety and who would go up there...c'mon. Are you serious? Have you never been to a rooftop pool or patio on a hotel? Have you never heard of the bridge-climbing excurisions in Sydney, Pittsburg and elsewhere? If this type of re-use existed elsewhere you know damn well someone would be posting "they have this in city X, I went there and it was really cool". Of course that would open the door for the "nothing original ever happens here" crowd...and then the circle would be complete.

Actually I really welcome development. I don't like dumb ideas with no real plan, no funding and no future written by someone who thinks they have the answer for every development in Buffalo and then pursues lawsuits.

kind of funny to look at the skyway now. this project makes everything seem friendly but in all actuality.. the skyway is taller then a lot of our city. ok i'm being harsh. but still, it is awesomely tall.

I like the idea of half sunbathing the other half badminton.

Horrible idea. Just take it down.

@ Damp- Not sure how you came to the conclusion that I "really wanted this" based on my post. The strongest endorsement I gave was that "As an exercise in "what if?", these concepts are really interesting." Seems to be a far cry from a lot of the other just-do-it themed posts.

Instead of an elevated roadway, imagine Buffalo's Skyway creatively re-engineered and readapted to function as a signature “green” multi-use mega-structure, complete with a multi-use, glass enclosed “green roof” including a pedestrian pathway between downtown and the lakefront. Traffic would be re-routed to a tunnel running from near the Memorial Auditorium site to the Outer Harbor lands.

Keep in mind that this is one citizen/designer's answer to the question: How can Buffalo creatively connect the Inner and Outer harbor without spending $100 million to demolish the Skyway? This idea would create up to 1/2 million square feet of multi-use space to the city tax base without taking up to 1 square foot of existing ground area! This plan would not disturb any other existing plans for developing the waterfront as a 19th Century Canal Era Showplace but would showcase Buffalo as a city with a vision for the 21st century. This could be Buffalo's Signature landmark structure!

You can view this visionary proposal complete with aerial map, illustrations, facts and opinions regarding this Skyway concept and the arguments for demolishing it. There is also a sideshow highlighting the main ideas and advantages for keeping and re-inventing the Skyway. Don't overlook the 31 related videos(from music videos to serious political and social commentaries on the environment and the global imperative of utilizing green and sustainable design.

Skyway to the Future: website: www.ranwebber.com/Skyway_Project.html email: ran@ranwebber.com