The Greater University District Plan

The Greater University District Plan

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Executive Summary The Greater University District (G.U.D.) Plan provides a clear and cohesive vision to enhance the intersection of the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda, and the City of Buffalo. While these three municipalities have unique characteristics and plans, based on demographic data they hold an accumulative population of over 457,000 people in only an area of 100 square miles. Therefore, the municipalities must work in conjunction to ensure increased effectiveness of programs, better quality of life, and increased economic development within and between each location.

By building on existing initiatives and plans, the G.U.D. Plan aims to strengthen assets and transform this area into a healthy, vibrant, and welcoming community.

Because our study area includes the University Heights neighborhood in Buffalo, and, in effect, surrounds South Campus physically, socially, and economically, for the purposes of this project the area will be called the Greater University District (G.U.D.). G.U.D. transects the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda, and the City of Buffalo. This includes Census Tracts 43, 46.01, 46.02, 47, 80.01, 80.03, 93.01, 93.02, 94.01 and 95.01. Significant points of interest within the area include the University at Buffalo South Campus, Niagara Falls Boulevard, University Plaza, and the University Station on the metro rail. Because our site encompasses the borders of these municipalities, the area lacks a cohesive vision, which this plan aims to create.

The first step in creating a new, more cohesive vision for the Greater University District was examining existing conditions to understand the neighborhoods in the study area and the quality of life of residents. Conditions studied include demographics, infrastructure, land use, both the built and natural environments, and transportation. Understanding

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of the surrounding context provided a strong foundation to develop design concepts, policies, and programs that bridge the borders between municipal boundaries.

These ideas build on the study area’s strengths and opportunities, and address issues and threats to meet the municipalities and neighborhoods’ goals and objectives.

The goal of the GUD Plan is to encourage intermunicipal planning and connect the Greater University District across municipal borders. This was done by addressing issues that the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda, and the City of Buffalo equally struggle with and need to work together to solve.

These issues include autocentric design that is unwelcoming and unsafe for pedestrians, lack of integration amongst the diverse demographics present, and unconnected assets throughout the area. The culmination of all the data, analysis, interviews, and knowledge has been used to develop specific design and policy recommendations that will benefit the Greater University District and encourage intermunicipal planning to solve problems.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our professors. Margaret Winship and Kimberly Amplement, for their guidance on this project throughout the semester.

Additionally, we would like to thank the stakeholders that provided insight to the current initiatives within this neighborhood including the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, the University at Buffalo Regional Institute, the University District Community Development Association, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Buffalo, and the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Region Transportation Council.

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Table of Contents Introduction

page 6

Existing Conditions

page 9

SWOT Analysis

page 28

Project Goals

page 33

Concept Design / Programs

page 40

Conclusion and References

page 70 5

Introduction

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The Project Area This semester-long, teambased, realworld planning project explored the area that transects the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda, and the City of Buffalo. This includes Census Tracts 43, 46.01, 46.02, 47, 80.01, 80.03, 93.01, 93.02, 94.01 and 95.01. Significant points of interest in the area include the University at Buffalo South Campus, Niagara Falls Boulevard, University Plaza, and the University Station on the metro rail.

For the purpose of this report, it will be refered to as Greater University District (G.U.D.) to spark planners’ imaginations and spur first steps to create a brand for the neighborhood.

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First Impressions: • Study area exists across municipal boundaries • Lacks cohesive neighborhood identity • Spaces and community facilities feel disconnected

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Methodology

Concept

Research

Data collection based on...

• Demographic data • Infrastructure • Land use • Built and natural environments • Transportation

Application

Ideas based on...

Implementation based on...

• Case Studies

• Funding

• Stakeholder interviews

• Zoning regulations

• Studio guest lecturers

• Impact to surrounding neighborhoods

• Current/existing plans and initiatives

• Feasibility

Project Goals

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Intermunicipal Collaboration

Alternative Transportation

Create Connectivity

Build Unity

Existing Conditions

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Regional Plans A majority of the issues and opportunities within the Greater University District can be generalized into three main categories: environmental issues, transportation, and economic development.

Below are plans, initiatives and organizations working on improvements and development throughout the region that deal with each of the main categories.

2. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Environmental Issues and Opportunities

3. Western New York Stormwater Coalition (WNYSC)

Between extreme industrial development and intense urban sprawl, environmental features of the Buffalo area have seen substantial lack of maintenance and pollution within the past century. However, plans, programs, and organizations are working to remediate polluted land, improve the quality of outdoor spaces, and clean contaminated water.

- EPA developed regulations to diminish the impact of CSO’s on surrounding water systems - Communities in Erie and Niagara counties joined together to develop a stormwater management program to better comply with the EPA regulations.

• Established a Stormwater Management Plan to allow them to cohesively work together to comply with the regulations and allows each individual one to more efficiently comply, especially with the help of surrounding municipalities.

- With the WNYSC, municipalities like Buffalo, Amherst and Tonawanda already work in conjunction with each other to manage stormwater and thus, perhaps the structure and example of the WNYSC can be applied on a broader scale to foster connections across various economic, social and political factors.

1. Erie County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department - New county-wide master plan to replace their original 2003 plan - Heightened park maintenance, improving operations and improving aesthetic and functional aspects of the parks in an economically efficient way Improvements to park maintenance and aesthetic quality within our study area would: • Drive more people to the parks of the area which in effect would drive more people to our study area with the presence of parks such as McCarthy Park and Shoshone Park • Also allows the parks to feel like a cohesive system and would allow for the increased economic vitality of surrounding areas which would not only benefit the surrounding neighborhoods but these three municipalities as well.

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• Buffalo, Amherst, and Tonawanda are located within the EPA’s Region 2 which services New York, New Jersey, as well as some of the US territories.

• The Niagara River, which borders both Tonawanda and the City of Buffalo, was designated an Area of Concern under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Act with the intention of cleaning and dredging the contamination from the river basin.

Regional Plans Transportation Issues and Opportunities Transportation systems connect all three municipalities and facilitate interaction between them. Looking at regional transportation plans, several existing initiatives provide possible opportunities for connection in the future.

1. New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)

• Currently working on road improvements, safety improvements, repairs, and maintenance across Erie County • Skyway Rehabilitation/Redesign, Niagara Falls Boulevard pedestrian safety improvements, and the Scajaquada Expressway conversion into an urban boulevard.

• Traffic overhaul for major roadways which will impact the way people traverse throughout the area

2. Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) - Planning organization focused on improving transportation for all modes of transportation within Erie and Niagara counties Currently developing plans the region including the Regional Bicycle Master Plan Worked to develop plans such as: • Comprehensive Transit Oriented Development Plan • Moving Forward 2050 • Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) • Bridge NY • Pave NY • Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) • NYSDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

3. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

- Proposal for a metro rail extension through Amherst along Niagara Falls Boulevard, Sweet Home, and Maple Road • The goal of this project is to connect downtown areas to certain parts of Amherst to promote connectivity not only between University at Buffalo’s North and South Campuses, but also throughout the Buffalo region as a whole.

• Financing this project by applying for federal funds through the Federal Transit Administration.

• The final scoping document for this project was published in May of 2019, following a series of public meetings where citizens had the chance to provide input in the design process.

Economic Development Agencies and plans throughout the region with an emphasis on economic influx are key to the economic, social and cultural development of the area.

1. One Region Forward

• Federally recognized collaboration of many entities and institutions in Buffalo who share a common goal of promoting sustainability in the region • Addresses current issues within the Buffalo Niagara region including: population decreases, lack of growth in the city center, and lack of economic growth • The goals of the plan include promoting efficient land use, improving transportation, supporting existing housing, preparing for climate change, and making food more accessible.

• Main institutions guiding this effort are the GBNRTC, the NFTA, the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo, and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

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Existing Plans in the Town of Amherst Over the past two centuries, the Town of Amherst has evolved from small settlements surrounded by farmland to a premier residential community and activity/employment center in Western New York. The following is a summary of plans in Amherst that are relevant to the Greater University District.

1. Recreation and Parks Master Plan

- Aims to help local government meet the current and future recreation needs of the community - Developed as a tool to guide staff, advisory committees, and the Town Board in their work to maintain and enhance Amherst’s system of parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities over the next ten years.

Establishes five main goals • Improve municipal organizational structure that supports the provision and stewardship of Amherst’s parks, recreation, facilities, programs, and affiliated services.

• Implement programs and service delivery through increasing awareness of Amherst’s existing recreation opportunities and enhancing programs to meet existing and future community needs.

• Upgrade existing park amenities and recreation facilities to create more and better user experience, increase the utility of parks, and elevate levels of satisfaction.

• Enhance the level of service provided to residents by the Town’s parks and recreation system.

• Develop new and innovative means to expand recreation opportunities.

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2. Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Plan - Adopted by the Town Board in January 2007

- Recent amendments to the plan reflect new information, ideas, and concepts encouraging mixed use following the development of new mixed-use zoning districts.

Important objectives of this plan include..

• Promoting the development and revitalization of walkable higher density, mixed-use centers surrounded by lower density development.

• Encouraging revitalization and reinvestment in older neighborhoods and commercial corridors in Amherst.

• Establishing a town-wide network of parks, open spaces, and greenway corridors.

• Ensuring that economic development and redevelopment respect the character and quality of life of Amherst’s residential communities.

• Establishing standards or performance criteria to determine community facility and service needs.

3. Eggertsville Action Plan

- Short-term actions to revitalize the major commercial areas in Eggertsville - Refocused on multi-modal transportation and decreases in automobile dependency Five key strategies associated with this plan • Eliminating barriers to redevelopment presented in zoning codes.

• Identifying the budget that the Town can undertake to support the development.

• Identifying actions the Town or other public entities can undertake as partners in the redevelopment process.

• Creating design guidelines to increase the quality of development and make public spaces more attractive, safe, and green.

Existing Plans in the Town of Tonawanda Tonawanda, named by local indians, means “swift waters” referencing the powerful Niagara River. Tonawanda is home to the historic Erie Canal and just south of a natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls, making the town a center point for activity throughout the region.

1. 2014 Comprehensive Plan Update • Focused on adapting to current trends, adding smaller plans/studies/projects made after 2005, and evolving based on the community for the next decade • Steering Committee was formed in 2013 to help public planners work on the 2014 version of the Comprehensive plan through the lens of residents living in Tonawanda • Community was against major changes to the comprehensive plan in order to maintain the small town appeal of the community • Planners held a presentation on the comprehensive plan to the public to discuss specific details on the expected changes to the plan and methods of implementation • This allowed the public to become accustomed to the changes while still keeping the small town appeal

3. Zombie Home Program • Implemented in 2017, and requires lending institutions to maintain vacant properties that were the subject of a foreclosure action in accordance with NYS property maintenance codes.

• Under the new law, the “housing lenders are subject to a $500 fine for each day the property remains in violation” (Zombie Home Law) • The goal of the Zombie Home Program is to eliminate the decrease in property value due to vacant homes in Tonawanda

2. Weatherization Program • Provides low income homeowners with a home audit to help residents evaluate what weatherization improvements can and should be made • Residents are eligible for up to $6,000 in repairs for unsafe boilers/furnaces, insulating exterior walls, and replacing broken windows, amongst other repairs.

• Provides incentive for homeowners to become more energy efficient, which improves the energy efficiency of the whole region.

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Existing Plans in the City of Buffalo 2. East Buffalo Good Neighbors Planning Alliance (GNPA)

The City of Buffalo, while in severe decline in the late 20th century, has been experiencing recent and significant revitalization and investment to make the city more livable for residents and an enjoyable destination for visitors. The city’s plans and initiatives aim to continue revitalizing the region, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods.

1. Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) • Funded from NYS to the City of Buffalo in 2011 to plan for the revitalization of underutilized, vacant, and brownfield sites by establishing a vision of redevelopment • Aimed at revitalizing areas afflicted with economic distress and blight from industry, transforming them from forgotten or hidden communities into thriving ones within New York State • Identifies 46 potential brownfields that are unique opportunities for community transformation and development • Establishes strategies to bring life to the region, both environmentally and economically, including zoning updates according to the Green Code

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- Vision for a renewal of the East Side of Buffalo, NY - Examines in-depth neighborhood analysis and demographic data for five unique neighborhoods in East Buffalo: Broadway-Filmore, Kaisertown, Lovejoy, Babcock, and Emerson Goals include: • Incorporating diverse individuals and groups in community improvement process • Establishing new partnerships within the community • Improving conditions of the built environment such as housing, education, and recreation • Improving public policies and services that impact the community

3. Lower East Side Weed & Seed Program • Program designed to reduce gun violence and prevent other violent crimes in targeted and high-risk neighborhoods in the city.

• Helped push for the saving of local elementary school that was near closing • Utilizes a Prioritization Tool: Helps members label which goals and strategies were the most important, and provide a timeline for implementation, and sources of funding from different organizations • Used an evaluation process for each goal and strategy through meetings in each of the five GNPA communities each year to evaluate their neighborhood plan’s current status

Plans within the G.U.D. The G.U.D. represents a center of significant economic, social and cultural potential. There are a few existing plans, organizations and initiatives within the G.U.D. that align with this project’s four goals.

1. University Heights Tool Library • Volunteer run, and member driven non profit tool-lending library located off Main Street • For a small annual fee, members can borrow from the 3,000+ tools in the library • Open to individuals, organizations and businesses • CoLab next door offers workshops to teach residents how to utilize the tools in the library • Library creates a sense of community while encouraging local individuals to repair their homes and/or businesses, which can improve community aesthetics.

2. Northeast Greenway Initiative • Established by the University District Community Development Association (UDCDA) • Spearheading development of the Tonawanda Rail Trail extension into Buffalo’s east side.

• Goals include increasing the quality of life within the area in addition to inter-municipal connectivity (Left) University Heights Tool Library (Right) Concept map from the UDCDA for the Northeast Greenway Initiatative (From the UDCDA)

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Demographics Understanding the existing neighborhoods, and building off of previous knowledge of the planning goals in the area establishes what issues and opportunities lie within each municipality as well as across municipal borders. Information including, demographic characteristics, businesses in the area, housing characteristics, and neighborhood crime rates, aid in determining best actions for inter-municipal cooperation. Land Use and Zoning regulations highlight how a site functions not only for the residents of the area but also in the context of the municipality it exists in. These regulations also have impacts on the cultural and political nature of a municipality, as evident in the University Heights area. From roads to greenspaces, a neighborhood’s ability to move, utilize and succeed in the space depends on this infrastructure. Looking at the three municipalities one can establish three categories to classify infrastructure throughout the region including natural features, architectural character, and physical infrastructure.

Town of Tonawanda

Town of Amherst • • • •

Population: 125,659 Gender ratio: 48% Male vs 52% Female Average Household Income: $92,153 Housing characteristics in study area: Amherst has the most homeowners and Family households as well as the highest home value.

• Housing Characteristics: Amherst has the most homeowners and family households compared to the other municipalities • The city violent crime rate for Amherst in 2016 was lower than the national violent crime rate average by 79% • The city property crime rate in Amherst was lower than the national property crime rate average by 30%

• • • • • • • •

Population: 71,939 Gender ratio: 47% Male vs 53% Female Average Household Income: $68,351 Housing characteristics in study area: A majority of people are homeowners with small households that have values of around $116,50 The crime rate in Tonawanda is 24 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime in Tonawanda is 1 in 41.

Based on FBI crime data, Tonawanda has a crime rate that is higher than 90% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes.

The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in Tonawanda is 1 in 331.

City of Buffalo • • • •

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Population: 256,304.

Gender ratio: 48% Male vs 52% Female Average Household Income: $51,605 Housing characteristics in study area: A majority is rental property with the least amount of families occupying its homes compared to the other locations. The majority of the households are only 1 person with home values the lowest within the analyzed sections

• Crime: Buffalo has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes.

• Chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime is 1 in 20 • Buffalo is one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the USA. • According to NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI reported crime data, the chances of becoming a victim Buffalo is 1 in 98.

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IMAGES FROM SOCIAL EXPLORER

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(Left) This graphic represents the median household income for the region. A majority of the tracts 80.01 within the region make more than ~$40,000 USD. However, it is 94.01 important to note the economic disparity between Buffalo and 80.03 Graphics go here Graphics go here Tonawanda/Amherst. (Right) This 95.01 graphic represents the median age 46.01 for the area with a majority of the 46.02 people in Tonawanda and Amherst being above the age of ~40 and 45 43 the median age of the Buffalo areas being much younger.

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These two graphics represent the extreme racial disparity within the project area. A majority of the African American population resides below UB’s South Campus while most of the white population resides above the campus. Moving forward in the design, it is crucial to implement strategies that reduce gentrification and encourage movement across census tracts.

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Study Area Land Use & Zoning AMHERST LAND USE

TONAWANDA ZONING

BUFFALO ZONING

MAPS COMPILED BY BRETT MOORE

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Amherst Land Use and Zoning

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Districts. These districts introduce mixed-use centers that encourage a mix of land uses from shopping, working, recreation and residential. ntages However, these districts are not mapped as part of the overall town Village fill Frontages are established. zoning map, which presents opportunities when applying for zoning changes. This new zoning includes infill districts and building frontages to enhance the pedestrian experience. It also conceptualizes retrofit Frontage provides for afrontages walkable that introduce larger parcels to create a blockdistricts and reet, moving the buildingwhich up nearwould enhance movement and usage of the like structure, he sidewalk, and providing for a opportunities to assimilate mixed-use buildings site. There are several ild-to percentage. into the Greater University District, especially with University Plaza.

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Land Use Single family homes remain the most dominant uses of land acres, compromising of about 36.4% of the overall land space. Next to that category is the vacant land, which represents almost 18.9% of the Town’s land. Industrial Developments and Commercial offices joined together accounts for approximately 7.4% of the total land.

Back in 1975, Amherst was mostly known as a residential community, but over the past 2 decades, it has risen to be known as the center of most regional activities that vastly complements the City of Buffalo. The UB North Campus has also proven to be a very beneficial and major institutional land form present in the town.

• Traditional character: corridors located within higher intensity centers and older neighborhoods.

• Suburban character: corridors serving newer residential subdivisions, nonlocal traffic and automobile oriented development.

• Commercial character: corridors with an established linear commercial development pattern.

• Rural character: corridors possessing unique visual character due to their rural and/or scenic qualities.

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203. Zoning | Amherst, New York

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Tonawanda Land Use and Zoning Zoning The Zoning ordinance establishes separate geographic districts for residential, business, industrial and waterfront districts. In addition, there are certain lands, occupied by schools, parks or cemeteries, which while having a geographic designation, do not have corresponding zoning regulations and essentially are un-zoned. This map depicts the current zoning districts.

Districts Include: • Residential Districts: First Residential District (A), Second Residential District (B), M-F Multifamily Dwelling District (M-F) • Commercial Districts: C-1 Restricted Business District (C-1), General Business District (C), Neighborhood Business District (NB) In 2014, two new commercial districts were proposed by the Planning Board. The proposed C-2 Commercial District District is intended to encourage the establishment of land uses compatible with both the surrounding uses primarily along Military Road.

Allowed uses in the C-2 District are similar to those in the C District, plus Automotive uses, Gasoline Stations, Stand-alone Used Vehicle Sales, light manufacturing/industry, and wholesale and warehousing businesses. The proposed TND-Traditional Neighborhood Design District is intended to encourage a mix of commercial establishments and consumer services that serve the immediate residential neighborhood; fitting into the context of the existing neighborhood in terms of scale, architectural style, and size of lots and structures.

The allowed uses in the TND District are similar to those in the C District, however a larger number are only allowed with a Special Use Permit enabling the Town to better consider how a specific proposed use “fits” in a specific location. All the business districts include regulations governing yards, maximum lot coverage, and landscaping.

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Land Use The Town of Tonawanda’s current 2014 Comprehensive Plan takes a deeper look into its predecessor plan (2005) in to adapt changes in reaction to developing trends in community and urban planning.

Various recommendations, strategic plans and projects were also updated such as, The Old Town Plan, The Local Waterfront Revitalization Area and The Tonawanda Brownfield Opportunity Area. The overall aim of this update was to achieve some of the goals listed below: • Maintaining the safety, enhanced quality of life, public health and the overall sustainability of the town of Tonawanda as a whole.

• Supporting the preservation of the town’s environmental resources and the continuous remediation of former waste sites in order to preserve the soil • Maintaining and enhancing the vitality of neighborhoods and neighborhood centers, in order to retain a diverse stock of residential properties and facilities that meets the basic needs of all residents • Promoting a smart, well organized and constant economic development opportunities • Promoting a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system for the residents • Ensuring coordinated, high quality, well-maintained and cost effective facilities and services that are required by the general residential population and businesses properties in a sustainable community environment.

• Enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of Town government and planning and strive to improve interaction with other communities and agencies in order to understand and better the community as a whole.

Buffalo Land Use and Zoning Zoning The Buffalo Green Code is widely known as a place-based economic development strategy which was designed in order to implement the city’s Comprehensive Plan. It consists widely of the first citywide land use plan which dated back to 1977, and the first zoning rewrite since 1953. It included the Brownfield Opportunity Area Plans, city’s Homestead Urban Renewal Plan and local waterfront Revitalization into a singular vision that will help guide and promote the Buffalo’s physical development over the next 2 decades.

Goals of the Green Code: • Encouraging investments by implementing rules for development predictable, placing aside land for job creation and establishments in particularly key districts and corridors, which is supported by efficient and cost-effective infrastructures, allowing for the productive, adequate and timely reuse of vacant lands.

• Promoting land use while promoting a full array of transportation choices to help us conserve energy and transportation patterns that encourage transportation and compact development.

• Creating the necessary and appropriate conditions for Buffalo to grow again, aiming at making the city attractive to visitors and newcomers by meeting the expectations and aspirations of those who currently reside in the city’s frame at the moment, while sharing the benefits of city life equitably, with this current generation and those to come in the later future.

Land Use These zones make up the land use districts within the City of Buffalo: Neighborhood Zones: Downtown/Regional Hub, Mixed-Use Core, Secondary Employment Center, Mixed-Use Center, Mixed-Use Edge, Residential, Mixed-Use Center, Mixed-Use Edge, Residential, SingleFamily, Downtown Entertainment Review Overlay Neighborhood zones address the various mixed use, walkable places found throughout the City of Buffalo which range in character, function, and intensity from the most diverse and intensely developed places to the least.

District Zones: Residential Campus, Medical Campus, Educational Campus, Strip Retail, Flex Commercial, Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Square, Green, Natural District zones correspond to specialized places serving a predominant use, such as retail centers, college campuses, or industrial sites.

Corridor Zones: Metro Rail, Rail, Waterfront Corridor zones are linear systems that form the borders of, or connect, neighborhoods and districts. They are composed of natural and manmade components, ranging from waterfront to railways and transit lines.

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Municipal Transportation Town of Amherst

Town of Tonawanda

The Town of Amherst’s Comprehensive Plan (2015) provides existing conditions for transportation and compares them to the proposed streetscape redesigns. The town’s goals are to enhance the streetscape atmosphere through:

The Town of Tonawanda’s Comprehensive Plan (2014) provides goals to improve transportation that emphasize pedestrian and bicycling connectivity throughout the town. In particular, they discuss proposals to better connect off-road multiuse paths with current and proposed bike lanes. With relatively dense, centrally located residential neighborhoods and streets in grid layout, the plan seeks to connect the peripheries of the town to the center.

Their transportation plan focuses primarily on preserving the existing roadway network, improving mobility and accessibility, and supporting economic development.

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Adding left turn lanes at major intersections Incorporating signal timing to improve traffic flow Raising the landscaping median Widen planting strips to provide visual buffer Providing planting pits within sidewalks Consolidating signage to avoid clutter

The report also calls for street narrowing to dissuade speeding, and more bicycle and pedestrian friendly atmosphere. More crosswalks, tree lined streets, and median greenery are examples of what the public would like to see built into their towns streets.

City of Buffalo The City of Buffalo’s Transportation Demand Management Plan (2017) provides an overview of the transportation roadway network. This plan is built to include strategies in improving traffic volumes and efficiency.

Some strategies include: • Parking cash-out programs or unbundled parking/market rate pricing.

• Shared parking arrangements.

• Enhanced bicycle parking and services beyond minimum requirements.

• Support for rideshare and bike sharing services and facilities.

• Carpooling or vanpooling programs or benefits.

• Free or subsidized transit passes, transit-to-work shuttles, or enhanced transit facilities, such as bus shelters.

• Guaranteed ride home programs

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= State/County Roads = Arterial Roads = Local Roads MAP BY BRETT MOORE

Regional Tranportation The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) offers public transportation in Erie and Niagara Counties in the form of light rail and bus. The light rail, also known as the Metro Rail, was built in 1979 was intended to link Amherst and Buffalo but was never completed due to the region’s economic decline. Within the last year the NFTA has begun planning initiatives to extend the light rail through UB’s North Campus in Amherst and to the I-990. The bus serves Amherst, Buffalo and Tonawanda, but more comprehensively serves the Buffalo area. Other transportation options in these regions include bike sharing, private taxi services, and ridesharing such as Lyft and Uber. Zipcar offers a car sharing program and can be accessed in many locations in the city. Overall, Tonawanda and Amherst are more car dependent than Buffalo and do not have continuous alternative transportation networks.

Pedestrian & Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure in the Greater University District is used by a relatively large percentage of the residential population. However, there are many gaps in the walking and biking network.

• Amherst walk score: 56 - The Town of Amherst has a basic Sidewalk Snow Relief program. It has snow removal assistance along Niagara Falls boulevard, none on Main street (which is within study area) - No bicycling and pedestrian plan in place.

• Tonawanda walk score: 69 - Tonawanda rails to trails connect Buffalo to Tonawanda through old rail corridor.

- Complete streets policy adopted • Buffalo walk score: 72 In the Summer of 2017, UBRI (University at Buffalo Regional Institute) performed a neighborhood overview plan for University Heights, outlining many of the existing conditions. The report shows that 10% University Heights residents walk to work, while 1% bike. Similar to Walkscore, the plan highlights the variety of community services and historic spaces in the area, such as community gardens, block clubs, schools, churches, etc, demonstrating that there are many destinations within close proximity to residences. Violent crimes declined 17% from 2009-2016, suggesting that it is safer to walk around outside.

Walking in the area is manageable; biking infrastructure in very lacking. Notably, there are only 2 bike share stations that are both on the UB South Campus, which may feel inaccessible to the general public. There are two bike routes in the area. The first is the Tonawanda Rails to Trails that traverses the LaSalle station downtown Tonawanda. The second is a designated route that eventually turns into a bike lane from Bailey through Rosedale to UB North Campus.

Parking Conditions Parking is a major topic in the community because of how reliant people are on automobiles, especially in places that are more suburban or rural. While parking conditions composed of how the pavement wears over the years is important there are other equally important elements such as amount of parking, the location, parking violations, etc. Due to the amount of variables that come with parking conditions our group decided to focus on looking in ecodes. Ecodes are the zoning codes kept on an online website. Amherst, Buffalo, and Tonawanda all have their own codes based on what is deemed necessary for the betterment of the town/city.

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Amherst Existing Assets Parks and Recreation

Public Infrastructure

The Town of Amherst, with its nearly 53.58 square mile area, has a multitude of parks and public spaces.. To better align to the University Heights area, the parks analyzed were within a few miles of the study area, which include Garnet Playground, Eco-Park, Sattler Field, Dellwood Park, and Campus Drive Park. Garnet Playground, the largest park in the area, is roughly 13.5 acres in size featuring 2 baseball diamonds and 2 public buildings. Eco Park is approximately 0.7 acres in size and features an open circular greenspace with a playground. Sattler Field is roughly 1.55 acres in size with two baseball diamonds. Dellwood Park is 4.2 acres with 2 baseball diamonds and a playground. Finally, Campus Drive Park is around 2.1 acres in size with one baseball field and a large public greenspace.

In terms of physical infrastructure, the lighting throughout Amherst presents a huge issue toward safety and walkability for which most of the lighting is unevenly distributed. A majority of the lighting lies on major thoroughfares with lights located every .02 miles. Moving onto local streets and arterials, the lighting gets further dispersed. This same issue with lighting can be applied to various street signs throughout the town, specifically the connection between bicycle signage and on-street paint signage. While there are signs on the road indiciating bicycle movement throughout the area, some parts of Amherst do not have the associated paint on the road for designated bicycle lanes. The sanitary sewer system and stormwater system are separate from one another unlike Buffalo’s system.

The sanitary sewer system still takes a bit of the stormwater runoff, but a more manageable amount due to a separate stormwater system. These two systems most often run parallel with one another for most of Amherst. The University Heights area lies within Amherst’s Sewer District 1, which covers the south-western corner of Amherst boundaries.

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Garnet Playground

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Housing along Hemlock Rd.

Architectural Character Amherst has a majority post World War I housing throughout its 53 square miles, with most of the housing built around the late 1940s to early 1950s. Average square footage of houses range from 1,000 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft with most houses being single-story single-family bungalows. Businesses throughout the town are mostly single-story buildings with a few repurposed former homes.

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Sheridan Drive recieves heavy amounts of traffic with little emphasis on pedestrians

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Tonawanda Existing Assets Parks and Recreation

Public Infrastructure

One of the most opportunistic aspects of connecting Tonawanda to Amherst and Buffalo lies within its Rails-to-Trails. The Rails-to-Trails currently runs 4.5 miles directly from Shoshone Park in Buffalo all the way to North Tonawanda. Therefore, this path presents an extreme opportunity to increase connectivity for not only the residents of the region but also foster inter-municipal connectivity as well. Other Tonawanda parks within proximity to our site include Lincoln Park, Curtis Park and Ellwood Park. Lincoln Park, the largest of the three at 48 acres, features a wide array of amenities including a large forested area, seven baseball diamonds, a recently updated pavillion, an arena with an ice skating rink and two pools. In 2016, there was a “Lincoln Park Green Initiative” which restructured the dynamic of the land and helped turn old railroad area into public green space. The entire project received just under a million dollars in funds from NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and a Community Block Grant. Slightly north of Lincoln Park lies Curtiss Park, a 3 acre playground park with a large greenspace.

Finally, west across the Rails-to-Trails lies Ellwood park which is a small 2 acre park with a small playground and small recreation building.

These parks represent an opportunity to connect greenspaces throughout the GUD and promote traversing throughout the area.

Tonawanda’s existing physical infrastructure places heavy emphasis on wastewater management, especially given its proximity to the Niagara River. According to the Water/Sewer Maintenance Department, the Town of Tonawanda has “300 miles of sanitary sewer and 270 miles of storm sewer.” Much like the other two municipalities, Tonawanda deals heavily with the impact of Combined Sewer Outflows and works to abide by regulations set forth by federal agencies to regulate it. As of the 2014 update to the Town’s comprehensive plan, in cooperation with the NYSDEC the Town has implemented the first 3 of the 4 phases of work to address 92 locations where CSOs occur.

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Architectural Character In terms of architectural character, Tonawanda has a majority of post World War 1 housing in the area. Most of the housing was built around the late 1940s to early 1950s. Houses are approximately 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet in this area. Most homes are single-story singlefamily bungalows in the neighborhood while businesses are typically single-story buildings with a few repurposed former homes. There are very few houses that are over 2,500 square feet in area. The Historical Society Museum is the oldest building in Tonawanda and was first used as a german evangelical church but was reopened as a museum in Tonawanda in 1970. The building was made of clay bricks from Ives Pond Area and the Bell on the top of the building was presented to Saint Peter in 1934 in anticipation of 105th anniversary of congress.

(Above) Tonawanda Historical Society (Below) The entrance to the Tonawanda Rails-to-Trails

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Buffalo Existing Assets Parks and Recreation

Architectural Character

Beginning with Buffalo’s natural features, the history of the city’s parks and green spaces is extensive and extremely influential. With Olmsted’s park system and endless improvements, the City of Buffalo presents a unique opportunity to bring this history to the other two municipalities. Green spaces in Buffalo range from large and populous spaces (Delaware Park, McCarthy Park, Grover Cleveland, etc) to small, neighborhood spaces (Tyler Street Garden, Burke’s Green, etc). Delaware Park is the most prominent and well-known of these greenspaces, with pedestrian paths and a large water feature called Hoyt Lake. There is also a restaurant overlooking the park called The Terrace where there has been a variety of programs including live music, wedding receptions, and private parties. McCarthy Park has a playground and accommodates sports such as tennis & baseball.

Grover Cleveland is a well-maintained golf course and the largest green parcel within the study area. Smaller pocket parks include Tyler Street Community Garden (University Heights Collaborative) and Burke’s Green.

Many of Buffalo’s buildings are on the National Registry of Historic places including the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House, and the Buffalo History Museum. The Albright Knox Art Gallery was designed by Edward Green in the Greek Revival style . Over the years, there have been renovations and additional buildings added to accommodate different types of exhibits. The most recent renovation plan has raised $131 million and will start later in 2019 (ARTnews Buffalo). Another significant Buffalo structure is the Buffalo Court Building downtown.

This was designed by Roswell E Pfol and is an excellent example of Brutalist architecture in the city. City Hall is one of Buffalo’s most well-known architectural gems. Designed

by John J. Wade, this Art Deco building has been preserved and it is still used for its original purpose (buffaloah. com). Aside from being a beautiful example of art deco architecture, it also features an observation deck to view the city from the top floor. The brick portion of Niagara Falls Boulevard is a historically protected street and serves as significant connection between Buffalo and Tonawanda.

From a connective point-ofview, one necessity for the greenspaces in Buffalo, is for the already existing park system in South Buffalo to connect to North Buffalo and thus the rest of the region. By connecting a park like Delaware that already has connections to the park system to other larger greenspaces like McCarthy and Grover Cleveland, while utilizing the small greenspaces as connection points, it would open up Buffalo’s park system throughout the region rather than its current secluded state.

Map showing Shoshone/Minnesota Linear Park in the North and McCarthy Park in the South

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Tyler Street Community Garden

Buffalo Existing Assets Impervious surfaces depend on a city’s density, topography, & land use.

A tributary of the Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek forms in southern Erie County, traveling through various towns before entering the City of Buffalo. It flows through South Buffalo neighborhoods and forms the prime water feature of Cazenovia Park, part of the City’s Olmsted Park system. The creek can overflow and create flooding issues (Above) Darwin Martin House by Frank Lloyd for nearby residents during significant wet weather events.

Wright (Below) ofalready Buffalo City HAlla number of steps to address BuffaloCity has taken

Public Infrastructure

water quality concerns in the region. The Buffalo River Ecological Restoration Master Plan provides a framework for addressing habitat related impairments in the lower Buffalo River watershed. The Great Lakes Legacy Act Sediment Action Plan addresses many concerns around the Buffalo River Area of Concern. The draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program proposes waterfront improvement projects, and establishes a program for managing, revitalizing and protecting resources along Lake Erie, the Niagara River, the Buffalo River, Scajaquada Creek, and Cazenovia Creek. Buffalo Sewer’s Long-Term Control Plan is part of this region-wide effort tomuch improvelike water quality and habitat. improvements, the natural features, exist

Physical infrastructure emphasis and mostly in South Buffalo. This leaves a large gap between downtown Tree Canopy Cover Buffalo and other places like Tonawanda and Amherst. Buffalo’s current water management plan, visualized in the Trees intercept, absorb and filter stormwater. Increasing Raincheck plan by the Buffalo Sewer Authority, only emphasizes a need increased the tree canopy in Buffalo canfor help to reduce green the amount infrastructure in the downtown area. The only improvements madethe in North Buffalo of stormwater reaching combined sewerrevolve and improve quality ofHeights local waterways. around the inclusion of rain barrels throughout thethe University area. Other improvements like green parking lots and green streets, exist mainly in southern Buffalo. Looking theprovide impervity In addition to stormwater benefits,at trees other benefits relating to equity goals and quality of life, of surfaces in North Buffalo, more than half of the surfaces are impervious and thus lead all including urban heat island effect,the improving the water toward the Niagara River which presents hugereducing environmental issues given CSO walkability, increasing access to green space, and system. By including more green infrastructure in northern Buffalo, it allows the water to be better traffic calming. These many benefits of trees were managed during storm events and prevent sewer-stormwater outflow (Raincheck Buffalo). also considered in the analysis of green infrastructure opportunities in Buffalo.

Buffalo’s existing tree canopy in each priority CSO basin was analyzed to determine the amount of canopy within the public right of way and the amount of canopy on private land. The overall canopy cover for Buffalo is 14.6% or 3,836 acres of canopy. Most of the priority CSO basins have canopy cover on par with the city average. CSO Basins 27 & 33 are well below the city average. The city overall has more than 45,000 vacant acceptable street tree spaces. Increasing the canopy cover within the City and particularly within the priority CSO Basins would assist in meeting Buffalo Sewers stormwater goals.

56%

BUFFALO, NY

41%

Syracuse, NY

34%

Pittsburgh, PA

28%

Indianpolis, IN

23%

Scranton, PA

City-Wide Impervious Area

Picture goes here GIS Data

A city’s urban tree canopy assists with stormwater control and makes neighborhoods more livable.

55%

Scranton, PA

42%

Pittsburgh, PA

33%

Indianapolis, IN

Syracuse, NY

BUFFALO, NY

28%

14.6% Canopy Cover of Benchmark Cities Urban Tree Canopy Assessment University of Vermont & US Forest Service

Taken from the Buffalo Raincheck Plan

Tree canopy area

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SWOT Analysis Analyzing existing assets and needs for the three municipalities within the study area was crucial to the design process. This specific study area includes the following census tracts: Tonawanda: 80.01,80.03, Buffalo: 43.01,46.01,46.02,47.01, and Amherst: 93.01, 93.2, 94.01, 95.02. These were analyzed based on existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The SWOT analysis focuses the scope of this project on certain goals and highlight strengths that can help us reach those goals through our concept design.

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SWOT Summary Comparing these three municipalities, Amherst has opportunities for retrofit development because development is less dense in this area. Additionally, Amherst has a wealthier demographic than the other two municipalities, providing more funding for future projects. Buffalo’s assets include having strong community ties and funding for community development, but struggles with crime rates. Tonawanda’s population is the smallest of all three municipalities, but has had recent success with green energy programs for residents and businesses as well as landfill cleanup.

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Case Studies Planning is a constantly evolving field, propelled by building upon solid foundations. The GUD is not a unique case in its need to be retrofit, we analyzed plans and completed projects from various municipalities and private developers to see how they’ve solved their problems and how we might use those concepts for the Greater University District.

Each case study relates back to the site as either a plaza redevelopment, commercial corridor transformation or a park and recreational facilities development relating to University Heights Plaza, Niagara Falls Boulevard and the various public infrastructure of the GUD respectively.

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Case Studies - Community Space Programming

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Case Studies - Community Space Programming

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Case Studies - Boulevard Redesign

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Case Studies - Boulevard Redesign

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Case Studies - Commercial Redesign

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Project Goals Despite the many strengths previously mentioned, including the sizeable presence of young adults and permanent residents, the Greater University District feels disconnected and lacks a strong sense of place. This section outlines a series of projects, programs, and recommendations to increase neighborhood connectivity both physically and socially.

Developing an understanding of the existing neighborhood from students, planners, developers, residents, and analysis of the area to make informed design recommendations will ideally unify the neighborhood and improve the quality of life for residents. Strengths of the area as a whole show that there is a desire for a livable, family oriented community with access to youth and recreation opportunities, there is a base of students looking for housing annually at the crux of all three municipalities near South Campus, and the University at Buffalo serves as a centerpoint for the area even though it is physically disconnected. Weakness in the areas highlighted the need for streets and policies that reflect complete streets concepts, which supports regional and local plans calling for better pedestrian safety. Therefore, this proposal features the creation of a community center, a redevelopment for University Plaza, a street redesign for Niagara Falls Boulevard, and several other policies and programs to better connect the neighborhoods’ communities and facilities.

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Concept Design and Programming Recommendations

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The Project Areas Establishing Community Connections - Community Space Programming Community programs, street infrastructure, and policies can increase neighborhood pride, improve social and physical connectivity, and establish neighborhood cohesion. As previously mentioned, there are a variety of community assetts, facilities, and programs that give the Greater University Heights District depth. Nevertheless, connections to and between these areas feel disconnected and placeless. A focus area within the plan was developing connections in the community, both physically and socially. Research was done on areas that became more walkable and established a sense of place and community in urban and suburban contexts.

University Plaza - Commercial Redesign University Plaza is located in Amherst and is currently owned by Phillips Edison & Company and anchored by Tops Markets, a popular grocery stores in Buffalo, with other co-tenants such as Dollar Tree, GameStop and Nickel City Outlet. It also houses Dipson Theatres’ Amherst Theatre movie house and a UPS store. There are over half a dozen restaurants, including fast food restaurants like Mcdonalds and Gino’s Pizza, and various cuisines such as China King and Heart of India. Other national tenants include two different banks, one medical laboratory and other small businesses. It has four buildings totaling 168,958 square feet of space on 14 acres. This plaza is situated in the Town of Amherst on Main Street, which sees over 29,500 vehicles per day. Not only is the plaza surrounded by a huge residential district, it is also within walking distance of the South Campus.

Niagara Falls Boulevard - Boulevard Redesign Niagara Falls Boulevard is a congested, state managed road that connects University at Buffalo’s South Campus and the overall Greater University Heights district to many necessary services to the north. Although the Boulevard becomes a heavily commercial road further north, within this project’s study area this major thoroughfare is mainly residential with small commercial properties. The road can become a more welcoming corridor if its design was less autocentric and more focused on alternative modes of transportation. A more pedestrian oriented design is critical for this road to create better quality of life for the area’s residents. Lastly, as plans for the NFTA Metro Rail extension are developed and a tunnel entrance will bring the train above ground on the Boulevard, it is important to consider Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities that could bring investment to the area and physically redesign the street.

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Establishing Community Connectivity One of the project’s design goals is to unite services and community facilities through community advocacy groups and resident engagement. Specifically, our SWOT analysis identified the lack of community advocates in the Tonawanda and Amherst sections of the study area. It also revealed that without a distinct overseer and advocate for the whole area, programming, policy, and design recommendations would be ineffective. Therefore, despite the existence of the University Heights District Community Club (UHDCC), we propose establishing an advisory board, which, for the purposes of this report, will be called G.U.D. Advisory Board, whose objective will be to advocate for residents from all three municipalities, interface with local and regional officials, manage the area, and connect residents with services and opportunities.

Ideally, this group would be comprised of multiple resident representatives from all three municipalities who seek to improve the neighborhood. We intend for this group to be housed in a new community center so as not to detract from the UHDCC, and to work in collaboration with it. Existing organizations and block clubs would be granted the opportunity to have seats on the Advisory Board where their intimate knowledge of the area could be utilized. Each municipality will have representation and will fund the board equally across the board to ensure a variety of quality services are provided.

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Existing Conditions

Jordan Drezelo, ESRI ARCGIS

The above map summarizes the inventory of community facilities in our study area, including public libraries, public schools, higher education campuses, community centers, churchs, and green spaces.

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Concept Design Areas

Concept Design Areas

Alexa Ringer, ESRI ARCGIS

The above map overlays the concept design and focus areas on the community facilities map, demonstrating how the sites of redesign will interact with community resources.

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Smart Mobility Hubs Implementing the G.U.D. The City of Buffalo funds block groups, including those housed within the study area. The advisory board can acquire funding through similar community development funding opportunities and also request for funds to be allocated from Amherst and Tonawanda to cover the costs of operation in a community center, programs and initiatives, and community development. Additionally, establishing a new intermunicipal advisory board presents substantial opportunity to increase UB students’ involvement in the community because it can become a resource for students living on and off campus, collaborate with the School of Architecture and Planning, and engage permanent residents who may not be part of a block club, or community center. The following sections describe recommendations for policies, programs, and design initiatives that the advisory board should implement to improve community facilities and connectivity.

Residents

Block Clubs

Community Groups and Organizations

Local institutions

Greater University District Advisory Board

Residents

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Block Clubs

Community Groups and Organizations

Local institutions

Smart Mobility Hubs Smart Mobility Hubs Implementing small, but strategically placed smart technology creates spaces for people to interact within their environment and increase the adaptability for visual communication. Establishing outdoor micro mobility hubs with public kiosks, public seating, smart technology bulletin boards, and bicycle & scooter shares in popular areas such as plazas, community centers, and transportation stops can develop hotspots of information. We propose smart mobility hubs at the proposed Princeton Plaza , the intersection of Kenmore and Niagara Falls Boulevard, at Winspear and Bailey, at University Station on Main Street, Winspear and Main Street, and Englewood and Kenmore. These spots are either at intersections of major corridors or are near existing facilities where pedestrian traffic is already high. Benefits would include streamlined communication between municipal officials with residents and visitors, more flexibility to choose and quickly change information, and increased awareness of services, opportunities, and events happening in the area.

Smart technology placed in targeted public areas can enhance the existing transportation system by having real time bus schedules, interactive maps, and transit options, which would create a more coordinated, higher quality of transportation between the municipalities. Additionally, smart technology presents opportunities to provide information and connect services to citizens with disabilities and lower income residents who may have limited access to smartphones or computers. Placing a public smart board would have a spatially insignificant impact, and could encourage pedestrians to spontaneously stay in the streetscape, creating a more vibrant street life. Waterproof screens and shelters can provide Micro-Mobility Hubs Multimodal transportation offers individuals choice on how they get in and around their community, especially in a relatively small area like the Greater University District. Human powered and micro mobility solutions offer innovative, affordable, and more sustainable transportation solutions for local transportation. Establishing increased bicycle share facilities and new scooter share dock stations throughout the Greater University District is a program that would promote a sense of cohesion and connectivity, and promote residential exploration of the area.

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Smart Mobility Hubs Expanding the bicycle share opportunities is viable because there is a large number of UB students living in the area without vehicles who need short distance travel options. Additionally, Reddy Bikeshare is an existing organization in the region that already works with multiple municipalities (Buffalo, Amherst, Niagara Falls), which would make expansion seamless. In order to effectively and safely implement bike and scooter shares, municipalities must designate which traffic laws apply to scooters and how to seamlessly and safely integrate them with existing traffic infrastructure. Establishing policies, such as allowing scooters to ride on select roads and paths designated for bicycles can provide framework to prevent accidents. Establishing covered bike and scooter stations can offer places to securely store and sustainably charge scooters when they are not in use to avoid sidewalk cluttering and maintenance issues in inclement weather.

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Alexa Ringer, Photoshop.

Property Management Programs Many residents in the area are students or temporarily affiliated with the University at Buffalo. Because of their temporary status as rental tenants, incentive to upkeep with property aesthetics is low and many houses have fallen into disrepair. The GUD Advisory Board would be an ideal organization to implement a property beautification program to increase property values in the area, promote neighborhood aesthetics, and engage temporary residents in the community. The program would consist of the following elements: • Households would pay a fee to the GUD Advisory Board, which would contract out property maintenance services such as yard mowing, tree maintenance, sidewalk salting, and snow shoveling.

• Households can opt out for free • Households that fail to maintain their properties would be fined • Seasonal decoration contests, with incentive rewards funded through fines

cost effective and sustainable upkeep.

Homemade neighborhood halloween decorations in New Jersey. Photo by Bill T. via Flickr.

This program would help tenants by procuring services for them, which would be particularly beneficial to temporary and busy residents like students, residents with disabilities that limit their abilities to upkeep properties, and residents who would simply rather have someone else maintain parts of their property. The program would overall improve the quality of residential streets making them more walkable and visibly pleasing, and inadvertently making the Greater University District a nicer and more desirable place to live.

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Sports Leagues and Events The Greater University Heights District currently includes McCarthy Park, Shoshone Park, Lincoln Park, ten schools, and the Gloria J. Parks Community Center.

While many of these existing parks have quality facilities, they are underutilized, especially by residents, students, and employees of the University at Buffalo community. A rotating sports league and seasonal event programming across municipal borders will promote the use of existing facilities and parks, encourage physical activity, and strengthen intermunicipal pride.

The GUD Advisory Board can collaborate with existing leagues such as Buffalo Social Club, MileSports, WNY Social Sports, and the Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo to establish a series of games and/or events at these facilities to utilize the existing parks and recreation infrastructure in the area. Seeing these spaces as part of a cohesive neighborhood can instigate a better sense of community pride and invite residents and visitors to reimagine the Greater University District as a space that can house sports games, outdoor festivals, concerts, and other events. The presence of indoor facilities like the Gloria J. Parks Community Center and schools can provide space for community events and activities throughout the winter. The following image represents a proposed league schedule to demonstrate where the league could exist and what it could look like to residents.

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Stakeholder Involvement It is critical that policymakers and transportation planners such as the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region Transportation Council (GBNRTC) hold public forums as part of One Region Forward and Moving Forward 2050 to educate community members on how emerging micro mobility technologies work and collect community viewpoints on the innovations. Moving Forward 2050 highlights mobility as a service (MaaS) solutions like bike and scooter share programs that can provide logistics and maintenance jobs, decrease personal vehicular usage, monetize the first and last sections of trips, and provide more connectivity to the region. Public forums can allow community members and stakeholders to provide input about features they would want from smart mobility hubs, encourage innovative smart technology design, and test out prototypes before implementation. Additionally, the G.U.D. Advisory Board can serve as a channel to connect community views on these new policies to local and regional officials.

Proposed Design, Program, or Policy

Funding Source

G.U.D. Committee

LISC Development Grants Provide assistance with community development Garden Walk Buffalo Beautification Grants Beautification efforts related to gardening and landscaping, this upcoming year across Buffalo, not just in the Garden Walk areas Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Funding sources available for fruit tree planting efforts in neighborhoods to beautify neighborhood, address inequity, and bring productive trees to neighborhoods.

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Funding and Implementation Proposed Design, Program, or Policy

Smart Technology

Micro Mobility Solutions

Property Management Program

Rotating Programming 52

Funding Source Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge Grant Competition to use technology to create smart, liveable cities with high quality of life and accessible and inclusive mobility Better Bike Share Provides grants for bike share programs, with an emphasis on improving spatial opportunity and equitable access to bikeshare bikes in disadvantaged areas Federal Transportation Authority Grants 80% funding with 20% non-federal funding for bicycle infrastructure projects in coordination with the region’s MPO G.U.D. Committee Proposed committee formation will be funded by household fines for neglect, and can contract services to engage local businesses. Seasonal beatification contest plan involved with rewards which can be funded with neglect fines.

Erie County Youth Bureau annually funds community based programs that provide youth development opportunities in Erie County.

Funding and Implementation Hold community meetings, identify and apply for grants, and generate specific policies and programs within the community context

Community outreach to develop G.U.D. Committee with residential representatives

April September 2020

Execute property management program and create framework for event and programming in area throughout the year.

January - June 2022

October 2020 - April 2021

April December 2021

Implement smart technology and micromobility solutions in collaboration with Reddy Bike and other transportation planners.

March - May 2022

Collaborate with local and regional officials to implement policies, programs, and infrastructure that residents support.

Engage community to develop feedback on program, policy and infrastructure implementation thus far.

March 2022

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University Plaza Redesign When approaching concept designs for a redesigned University Plaza and taking into account current design problems, the current site needs a complete rebranding to not only give the site a new identity, but to incorporate the site into the overall Greater University District. Being that a large emphasis of a new design would be a connection with Princeton Court Apartments, the new concept for the site would rebrand the site into “Princeton Plaza,� which would allow the site a brand new identity and facilitate community and neighborhood engagement.

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Existing Conditions Current Businesses Food • McDonalds • Venus Greek and Mediterranean • Gino’s NY Pizza • China King • Tops (Anchor Store) • Heart of India Entertainment • Amherst Theatre Shopping • GameStop • Villa • Rainbow • Nickel City Outlet • Dollar Tree • Vape 716 • PPG Paints Home/Health • Forever Nails • H&R Block • Citizens Bank • Quest Diagnostics • Sally Beauty Supply • Key Bank

Stakeholders • Current Businesses • University at Buffalo • Town of Amherst • City of Buffalo • Residents of the Princeton Court Apartments • Neighborhood Residents • UDCDA

Current Design Problems • Excessive amount of unused space • Poor maintenance of existing structures (faded driveways and parking lots) • Lack of greenspace and overall greenery • Autocentric which is a detriment to public transit access • Extremely pedestrian unfriendly with no interior pedestrian corridor to traverse site • Strictly commerical which limits usability and functionality of the site 55

New Mixed-Use Building The center of our site will house a new mixed-use development and greenspace. The first floor will be commercial and community space that will house existing businesses, along with a community center. Since there is already an existing community center across the street, Gloria J. Parks Community Center, we hope that our community facility can more more of a flexible meeting space for possible events or workshops. The second, third, and fourth floors of our building will be affordable housing for students and seniors consisting of approximately 80 units. Encouraging a private developer to take advantage of Low Income Housing Tax Credits will keep these apartments affordable and accessible to permanent residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and temporary students of the University at Buffalo. To determine demographic data for the surrounding area, seven block groups were identified across tracts 93.01, 93.02 and 94.01. The total population of the described area is roughly 7,242 people, of which 1,851 are above the age of 55, meaning over 25% of the residents are above 55. This high percentage of residents above the age of 55 combined with the fact that the median year houses were built in the area is 1970, proves a high need for new development that is dedicated toward senior-oriented housing.

Plan Elements • Commercial • Work with existing businesses to promote growth without displacement • Access points from all sides of the plaza • Offset from residential space above to create a sense of separation and privacy • Courtyard • Incorporate greenspace and green infrastructure for stormwater management • Creates accessible public space • Connects commercial to residential • Affordable Senior / Graduate Student Housing • Around 80 units • Helps reduce the risk of gentrification • Provides possible housing for students and low-income residents • Benefits of cross generational housing 56

Mixed-Use Building Concept Design The Princeton Plaza plan not only highlights what currently functions well with the site, from its large acreage to its prime location in the center of a bustling area, but also introduces a wide range of features to fix the issues of the current plaza.

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RENDERINGS BY AUSRA MUSSETT

Mixed-Use Building Concept Design

(Above) Looking into the courtyard from the building entrance, it highlights the emphasis on the pedestrian the new plaza design entials, encouraing people to enter the site. (Right) The newly designed urban plaza in the front of the site allows a smooth transition from the urban space of the building to the new greenspace proposed on the UB South Campus.

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RENDERINGS BY AUSRA MUSSETT

Neighborhood Connections Bringing these design features together in a cohesive design has massive influence to the surrounding neighborhood. By designing an inclusive and welcoming environment, the site can boost community involvement, economic development and cultural influences throughout the surrounding area. To accommodate the increased density within this site, it must be able to support not only cars, but also pedestrians safely.

• New Community Center • Gives the neighborhood a meeting space • Situated in the center of the Greater University District • More accessible to the general public • This would be operated by members of the G.U.D. organization • Connection to Princeton Court Apartments • Gives residents a direct connection to the plaza • Makes Princeton Court residents feel a sense of belonging to the site • Covered canopy above pedestrian pathway for winter access • Includes stairs and ramp to address grade change between plaza and apartment complex • Path includes LED lighting fixtures to provide a safe walking path at all hours

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Transportation Changes The foundational design of the new site features an inversion of the parking lot space and the building footprints. The acreage of the site taken up by parking lot is now transformed into a new building complex while the area that was building has become a new vehicular system of moving throughout the space. An important goal of this project was to shift from an auto-centric design to a human-scale, pedestrian-friendly site. This will accommodate not only residents living on site, but those in surrounding neighborhoods.

Plan Elements • Square Footage Buildings Parking Lots Number of Used Parking Spaces

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Before Redesign 166,234 sq ft 162,617 sq ft ~70 - 150 cars parked

After Redesign 171,380 sq ft 74,718 sq ft Includes over 270 spaces

•

Allocates more space to buildings

•

Significant reduction in parking lot square footage while simultaneously adding more parking spaces

•

Demographic conditions do not require excess parking

•

Less likely that students and seniors rely solely on cars

= Building space = Parking lot space

Transportation Changes • Tactics for pedestrian access and connection • Creates accessible community space • Public greenspace for flexible community use • Decreased parking to encourage use of multi-modal transit • Nearby connection to subway line and bus stations • Cohesion between greenspace proposed in UB2020 plan with the Plaza

Creates a new vehicular system of travel moving outside the pedestrian zone. This allows the vehicles and pedestrian traffic to be separated to increase efficiency and safety

GRAPHICS BY BRETT MOORE

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Implementating Princeton Plaza Funding Since this is a private development project that is aimed at providing services to the area around it, there are certain tax incentives and federal programs that could provide funding for this site. Some of these include the Amherst Industrial Development Agency (PILOT), Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and grants (federal or state) that provide money for community service facilities. PILOT provides incentives for businesses that promote economic growth and also recently included senior housing in initiatives that would benefit from tax exemptions within the Town of Amherst. Additionally, the nature of the housing within this site means that it could be eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, as long as the rent remains affordable for everyone who makes less that 60% of the Area Median Income. This also means that rent cannot exceed 30% of the tenants total income. These requirements are met with a higher number of units on the site. Since we are proposing a community center within this complex as well, it could be open to additional grants for community facilities in the area.

Zoning Current Zoning

Under the New Zoning Code

Under the established zoning code, the current University Plaza is classified as a General Business District (GB). This zoning class allows for mixed-use development to encourage community centers and residential development/involvement within existing and proposed commercial centers. This includes a wide range of land uses and activities that are included within this specific site. The GB class however, does not effectively facilitate neighborhood involvement within the site as evident in the current function and use of University Plaza.

The Town of Amherst recently adopted a new Mixed-Use district in an attempt to both encourage mixed use and allow for a more flexible zoning code that can be applied to the vast variety/style of neighborhoods throughout Amherst. The new Princeton Plaza design would therefore fall under these mixed-use districts, specifically would require a combination of various frontages and centers. Working within this code, the developer of this project should work with community members and Town officials to create a space that utilizes these new zoning standards. Looking within these new mixed-use district, the Princeton Plaza design would incorporate CTR-5 for the site as a whole, with the site functioning as a neighborhood block rather than an individual site.

Code Regulations The Princeton Plaza Design Perimeter 1,600 ft max.

1520 ft Length of 600 ft max.

1520 ft Western/Eastern Side Inner Open 5% overall site 9% Space area min.

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Further Recommendations Community input is extremely important for this project. Working within existing plans and alongside groups that have connections in this neighborhood is essential for providing a plaza that will be accepted and utilized by residents and students. The incorporation of a community services facility on the site requires collaboration between other existing services and neighborhood champions. This is so important because it facilitates connection between residents and businesses. The Princeton Plaza plan not only highlights what currently functions well with the site, from its large acreage to its prime location in the center of a bustling area, but also introduces a wide range of features to fix the issues of the current plaza.

Including everything from neighborhood cooperation to auto-centric design removal, our plan represents a step forward for the area’s social, economic, and cultural development.

RENDERING BY AUSRA MUSSETT PHOTOSHOP BY BRETT MOORE

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Niagara Falls Boulevard Redesign Niagara Falls Boulevard is a state managed road that connects University at Buffalo’s South Campus and the overall Greater University Heights District to many necessary services to the north. Although the Boulevard becomes a heavily commercial road further north, within our study area this major thoroughfare is mainly residential with small commercial properties. The road can become a more welcoming corridor if its design was less autocentric and more focused on alternative modes of transportation. A more pedestrian oriented design is critical for this road to create better quality of life for the area’s residents. This redesign is even more urgent with the NFTA plan for an extension of the Metro Rail above ground along Niagara Falls Boulevard. Our redesign for Niagara Falls Boulevard focuses on making the route more attractive for pedestrians and residents using alternative modes of transportation to enjoy, not just move through.

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Goals and Current Issues The main goal of the Niagara Falls Boulevard redesign is to benefit the two municipalities, the Town of Amherst and the Town of Tonawanda, and create a safer and more vibrant community for residents within both. Our analysis identified four main issues along Niagara Falls Boulevard, between Kenmore Avenue and Sheridan Drive, that need to be tackled in order to reach our goal: lack of walkability and pedestrian safety, poor infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation, unrealized potential of commercial space, and an unutilized vacant property. After these issues were identified, three specific corresponding redesign ideas were created for Niagara Falls Boulevard: Complete Street Redevelopment, Commercial Redesign, and Park Addition.

A

A B

B

C C 65

Complete Streets Existing Conditions The autocentric design of Niagara Falls Boulevard has lead to dangerous accidents for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. There have been numerous pedestrian crashes, including six pedestrian fatalities in the past five years. Recently, New York State officials and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) have responded to ongoing public safety concerns and developed a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, which includes lowering the speed limit on Niagara Falls Boulevard from 45 down to 40 MPH from the 290 up north to the Niagara County line (directly north of our study area). This new speed limit was implemented as a result of recommendations from a Comprehensive Corridor Study of Niagara Falls Boulevard done by NYSDOT and signs we put up in August 2019, indicating this change. However, community members and local leaders are still uncertain that this 5MPH speed limit reduction will solve the problems. Implementing a Complete Streets Plan aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along the site by revamping the current infrastructure design, for all types of mobility.

Redesign The lack of bike infrastructure and walkability along Niagara Falls Boulevard is putting residents in danger and hindering the progress of the area. The current layout of Niagara Falls Boulevard is a four lane 70’ road with a turn lane in the middle. Our Complete Streets Redesign reconfigures Niagara Falls Boulevard to create safe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and improve walkability along Niagara Falls Boulevard. First, a bike lane would be added adjacent to the sidewalks on both sides of the road. This road is a direct route from UB South Campus to a popular commercial plaza “The Boulevard”; it would be beneficial for students and residents in the area to have a clearly designated and safe path to cycle on. Next, low speed vehicles (20MPH speed limit) in the lane closer to the curb would be seperated from the high speed vehicles (40MPH speed limit) in the center lanes. Between these two lanes would be raised landscaped medians that would beautify Niagara Falls Boulevard and create a buffer between high speed vehicles and the sidewalk. Finally, there will be planned exits to enter the slow lane, which would be used by any vehicle needing to turn.

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By making the outer, slow lanes the turning lanes it will prevent possible turning accidents and streamline traffic in the middle lanes.

The lack of bike infrastructure and walkability along Niagara Falls Boulevard is putting residents in danger and hindering the progress of the area. The current layout of Niagara Falls Boulevard is a 70’ road with four lanes and an additional turn lane in a section of the road. Our Complete Streets Redesign reconfigures Niagara Falls Boulevard to create safe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and improve walkability along Niagara Falls Boulevard. First, a bike lane would be added adjacent to the sidewalks on both sides of the road. This road is a direct route from UB South Campus to a popular commercial plaza “The Boulevard”; it would be beneficial for students and residents in the area to have a clearly designated and safe path to cycle on. Next, low speed vehicles (20MPH speed limit) in the lane closer to the curb would be seperated from the high speed vehicles (40MPH speed limit) in the center lanes. Between these two lanes would be raised landscaped medians that would beautify Niagara Falls Boulevard and create a buffer between high speed vehicles and the sidewalk. Finally, there will be planned exits to enter the slow lane, which would be used by any vehicle needing to turn. By making the outer, slow lanes the turning lanes it will prevent possible turning accidents and streamline traffic in the middle lanes.

Complete Streets Implementation Niagara Falls Boulevard is a state road that lies on a municipal boundary, with the Town of Amherst on one side and the Town of Tonawanda on the other. Both sides are majority residential with commercial properties scattered along Niagara Falls Boulevard. This Complete Street redesign would protect those who live, work, shop, and travel through both municipalities, creating a sense of security for homeowners and welcoming atmosphere for potential customers.

Because of this it is extremely important that the Town of Amherst and the Town of Tonawanda to work together to implement this redesign. Both of the comprehensive plans of Amherst and Tonawanda incentivise complete streets, and would support our redesign because it encourages pedestrian access, safety and mobility, use of alternative transportation, corridor beautification, and neighborhood vitality. The Town of Tonawanda currently has a complete street policy that the Town of Amherst should aim to include in their policies. Together, the municipalities can work together to create and implement the complete streets plan for Niagara Falls Boulevard. Furthermore, as plans for the NFTA Metro Rail extension are developed and a tunnel entrance will bring the train above ground on the Boulevard, it is important to consider Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities that could bring investment to the area and physically redesign the street. This complete streets plan can provide a smooth transition for the Metro Rail extension project and in turn the Metro Rail extension project could add to the vision of the complete streets project by adding access to another alternative mode of transportation.

These two municipalities must improve their policies in coalition with one another and pair that vision with state’s initiative to create a safe road in order to implement this innovative change that transcends municipal borders.

Furthermore, an important piece of this transformation would be the inter-municipal planning and coordination amongst the Town of Tonawanda, Town of Amherst and the NYSDOT.

Because Niagara Falls Boulevard is a state road, there are multiple possibilities for funding that can be provided through the NYSDOT. As far as federal programs are concerned, there is the FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act) which includes two programs that are ideal for creating complete streets. The HSIP, or Highway Safety Improvement Program, focuses on improving pedestrian safety through engineering improvements, public education and awareness campaigns, and increased law enforcement. This specific program could be used to fund our proposed sidewalks, street crosswalks, shoulder improvements, and pedestrian countdown timers. Another program that could fund the project would be the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). This program provides funding for projects related to transportation alternatives. This could fund aspects of the project like on and off-road pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure and generally any other improvement made to increase nondriver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility.

RENDERINGS BY JOSHUA ROGERS AND SEUNG JUN LEE

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Commerical Redesign Existing Conditions Another issue we have identified along NIagara Falls Boulevard is the commercial corridor between Chalmers Avenue and Decatur Road. This small plaza is bordered by single family homes and includes numerous small businesses including a day spa, a dive shop, a Vietnamese restaurant, an auto supply store, a corner store, and a late night Japanese restaurant. The plaza is in poor condition, with cracked sidewalks filled with gravel, pothole filled driveways, and no parking lines for proper vehicle organization.

Each establishment is pushed away from the street, creating a buffer of parking between the storefront and the sidewalk, which does not encourage pedestrians to enter the space, especially when they see damaged sidewalks, gravel, and potholes.

Redesign Making this plaza more welcoming and pedestrian friendly will bring more business to Niagara Falls Boulevard and encourage more people to walk in the area. Our redesign aims to do this by rearranging the current layout of the plaza and updating infrastructure. Instead of removing existing structures and creating unnecessary waste, the plaza redesign will revitalizing already present structures and make additions. In the case of Lakeland Auto Supply, the massive structure in the middle of the corridor, there will be an addition made to the front of the structure to bring the storefront to the sidewalk, making it more appealing and approachable for pedestrians. This redesign also includes the addition of more businesses, like coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores along the sidewalk to make the streetscape more vibrant and engaging, replacing the unwelcoming view of the unkempt parking lot.

With this new layout parking would be redistributed behind businesses adjacent to the side walk. Our redesign includes yellow parking lines for proper parking lot organization, removal of loose gravel and debris for safety, improved driveways into the plaza, new sidewalks, and

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store front revitalizations. Improving walking conditions, parking organization, and appearance of store fronts will bring more business to the plaza. The addition of clear signage, benches, and crosswalks would make the plaza more comfortable for travelers using alternative modes of transportation. This redesign would ultimately contribute to a less autocentric Niagara Falls Boulevard and a more pedestrian friendly environment. Furthermore, these improvements will attract local developers who could potentially invest in the corridor and generate economic prosperity along Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Commerical Redesign Implementation Our redesign for the commercial strip along Niagara Falls Boulevard from Chalmers Ave to Decatur Road is within the municipal boundary of the Town of Tonawanda and according to the zoning code, under Article VII, section C, is a general business districts. Under this zoning code, the Town of Tonawanda requires that there are certain permitted uses for buildings including retail stores, restaurants, hotels, motels, and theaters. All businesses currently present in the plaza fulfill the regulations regarding permitted use.

The zoning code also has specific construction standards for this zone: buildings cannot be taller than 45 feet without proper approval and entities that gain approval may not be taller than 60 feet. The commercial spaces in the plaza already fulfill these requirements, with each building ranging from 1 to 2 stories in height, meaning no change in the zoning code needs to be made.

However, one aspect of the zoning code could be challenged by our redesign concept of pushing storefronts up to meet the sidewalk. Under the Town of Tonawanda’s Zoning Code, businesses along Niagara Falls Boulevard within town limits may not exceed 200 feet in business lot depth from the nearest business street. The code also states that a building placed within these frontages can not be closer than 10 feet to residential street lines. Therefore either an amendment can be made to the zoning code to allow our design or our design is amended to fit the zone regulations.

If need be our redesign could be adjusted, storefronts no closer than 10 feet away from the sidewalk. This edit would still allow for an improved pedestrian environment and ample parking behind the buildings. Unlike the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda’s zoning code does not specifically mention parking requirements for businesses in the general business district. But by using the requirements from the Town of Amherst as general guidelines (2.5 cars per 1,000 square feet for retail entities) it can be seen that the plaza can offer more parking spaces than what Amherst deems necessary.

Furthermore, the Town of Amherst has recently incorporated a new Mixed Use Zoning Code that encourages a mix of land uses that combine to make working, shopping, recreation, and living more convenient. It would be tremendously beneficial if the Town of Tonawanda to adopt this zoning in order to revitalize this commercial strip on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Collaboration amongst stakeholders is essential in the completion of this project, especially in regards to funding. One idea to fund this project is to have the Town of Tonawanda create incentives to encourage local business development companies to invest. These incentives could be in the form of tax breaks or tax reductions for developers and owners in the commercial strip. Currently, the Town of Tonawanda offers business investment exemptions, in which a property that is constructed, altered or improved for commercial or industrial activity may be exempt from taxation for 10 years. Businesses can apply for an exemption through the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, and exemption starts at 50% for the first year, decreasing by 5% each year after.

Possible funding could also come from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) which already has millions of dollars budgeted for improvements along Niagara Falls Boulevard. Even though most of this budget is designated for road infrastructure improvements and safety guidelines, funds can potentially be allocated towards the general revitalization along Niagara Falls Boulevard, including the commercial corridor.

RENDERINGS BY JOSHUA ROGERS AND SEUNG JUN LEE

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Park Addition Existing Conditions The third issue identified is the unutilized vacant property on the corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Kenmore Avenue, a busy intersection at the southern start of our site area. This 0.5 acre gravel lot sits on the intersection where the municipalities (Town of Amherst, Town of Tonawanda, and City of Buffalo) meet. The owner of the lot, United Refining Co. from Pennsylvania, had no proposed plan for their property and left it as an empty gravel lot for almost 20 years.

Because of this the Town of Amherst ceasing the property using eminent domain. Currently, the town of Amherst appraised 159 Niagara Falls Boulevard at a little over $80,000, but the owner was not pleased with this offer and appealed to the NYS Court of Appeals.

When ceasing the property, the Town of Amherst proposed that the vacant lot should be converted into a small town park that could serve as a location for a weekly farmers market. Our design concept for this empty lot is in line with preliminary plan of Amhert to convert it into a small park. This popular intersection provides a great location for a pocket park because it extremely accessible and beneficial to many different users. Additional green space in this area would provide the neighborhood with a space for gathering, socializing, and recreation, which in turn could improve the health and wellbeing of the surrounding community. The park would provide a natural environment that commuters can enjoy, either people waiting for the bus at the intersection or students who would like a place to rest when biking from UB South Campus towards the Boulevard Mall area. It could also benefit local businesses by providing a location where local employees can go to enjoy their lunch outside and where events can be held, like farmers markets, small concerts, and flea markets. The purpose of this open, interactive green space plan would ultimately be to encourage all of the different groups within the area to go outside, interact, and build community.

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NIAGARA FALLS BOULEV ARD

Redesign

KENMORE AVENUE

Park Addition Implementation The first step in making this plan become a reality would be to settle the case with the current owners and have the Town of Amherst buy the property. The second step would be to change the zoning for this parcel so that the park would be a permitted use. Currently, the Town of Amherst has this area zoned as Commercial Live Work (LW-1). This code specifies that permitted uses include: residential use (single family detached residential or attached dwellings and upper story dwelling units), public and civic uses (daycare center, nursery, private school, minor utilities, and place of worship), and commercial uses (advertising agency, apparel alteration and shoe repair, art/photography studio, beauty/barber shop, office space, and production/sale space of arts and crafts made onsite). This zone does not allow for any industrial uses. To become a park, the Planning Board must approve this parcel to be rezoned as Recreation Conservation (RC).

There are four different ways to potentially fund this park.

The first is getting financial support from the municipalities.

Even though this parcel is in the Town of Amherst, the intersection borders the Town of Tonawanda and the City of Buffalo. This project could be a great step in improving intermunicipal planning. Second, the surrounding community (residents and businesses) could plan local fundraisers to contribute funds to the development and maintenance of the park. Another option would be to apply for a grant, such as the American Walks Community Change Program. This program gives $1,500 to project that bring a walkable element to a town or city. Finally, potential funding could come from the NFTA specifically to revamp the bus stop adjacent to the park. Having a public meeting for this project would also be beneficial in identifying other sources of funding and neighborhood organizations that could support and help make this project happen.

RENDERINGS BY SEUNG JUN LEE, JOSHUA ROGERS, AND BRETT MOORE

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Conclusion Assessing the existing conditions, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the area, brought to light current issues and opportunities for improvement. This area has potential for planning across borders to create a cohesive and engaged community environment. The concept designs and plans for implementation were made in response to this opportunity, specifically considering the needs of this community with input from stakeholders along the way. Moving forward, we are recommending an inter-municipal community development organization to provide inclusive programming and micromobility solutions to gaps in the existing transportation systems. With University Plaza, we have outlined recommendations for a private development that includes the community in the rezoning process and provides affordable housing for nearby residents. Finally, making Niagara Falls Boulevard a safer road for cars and pedestrians will encourage more people to use alternative modes of transportation. If implemented, these plans could greatly improve quality of life and bring community cooperation for residents and foster inter-municipal cooperation.

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Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Plan. PDF file. Last Amended July 2019. http://uploads.oneregionforward.org/content/uploads/2012/12/Town-Of-Amherst_Comprehensv e-Plan.pdf Wanamaker, Timothy E and UBRI. Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan Queen City in the 21st Century. PDF file. February 7, 2006. http://regional-institute.buffalo.edu/wp-content/ uploads/sites/3/2014/06/Queen-City-in-the-21st-Century-Buffalos-ComprehensivePlan1.pdf.

“Western New York REDC Awarded $68.8 Million for 112 Projects.” Regional Economic Development Councils. New York State, December 18, 2017. https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/press-release/western-new-york-redc-awarded-688million-112-p rojects.

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Professors: Margaret Winship Kimberly Amplement Students: Alexa Ringer Ausra Mussett Brett Moore Aridane Billy Zachary Korosh Jordan Drezelo James Farrow Nick Barile Shuqi Zhao Sergy Dossous Kenrick Brown Seung Jun Lee Joshua Rogers Zachary Korosh Kaiqui Le Sean Heen Fewa Ogunmola Alexis Scheeler

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Spring 2019 Environmental Design Studio 450 School of Architecture and Planning University at Buffalo