October 21, 2010

Thank you again for the invitation to be part of the tours and workshop interviews for the benefit of Lord Cultural Resources and Ralph Applebaum Associates, to help determine the "Buffalo Story" you will consider telling at Canal Side as reported by Mark Sommer in The Buffalo News, October 19, 2010. 

During the one hour Buffalo River boat tour on the Cotter you asked me to lead on Tuesday, October 12, as well as the two 1&1/2 hour sessions I was involved with on Wednesday, October 13, concerning HISTORY and ENVIRONMENT, I hope the following summary points, consistent with the Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History, & Nature's (C-SAAHN) 2020 VISION, were made clearly:

1. That the primary (not secondary) reason for Canal Side should be to creatively tell the story of Buffalo and America appropriate to the Erie Canal Terminus.

2. Consider creating buildings replicating the 1868 and 1870 Central Wharf photos in the WNY Heritage, Spring 2002 edition featured in John Conlin's article.

3. If done, people will come for food, drink, entertainment, and a shopping experience - in the 1870's style, newly constructed buildings.

4. For the next few years, focus all Main St. summer activities now done at M&T Plaza and Lafayette Sq. at some semi-permanent stage at Canal Side.

5. Incorporate lots of signage to tell the various Buffalo and Niagara stories: C-SAAHN Idea #5. Buffalo-Niagara Landmark Signage Project 

6. See Canal Side as a place for Buffalo Public Schools and other classrooms from the region to learn history starting this Spring. These "Buffalo Tours" can be developed to meet NY State Standards this Fall and Winter: C-SAAHN Idea #6. Classrooms + Culturals =  Lifelong Learning Idea

7. Consider re-branding the site the "Erie Canal Gateway" because in the 21st Century, if done creatively, Canal Side will help us and visitors enter into a better  understanding and appreciation of our unique Niagara Region by acting as a visitor center pointing to all the cultural and other lifelong learning centers in the region. See the new visitor center (as Gettysburg sees its new visitor center) as the first place to stop when coming to the Niagara Region!

8. Focus on the important role of art, architecture, history, and nature in our past and as a gateway to our future: C-SAAHN "Imagine" Lecture/Discussion Series and C-SAAHN Idea #7. "The goal of this idea is to encourage our region - including both counties and countries - to creatively collaborate in becoming an international destination for art, architecture, history and nature."

9. See the connection with the Outer-Harbor as the Nature Preserve and Sculpture Park completion of the original 30 year (1868 - 1898) Olmsted design for Buffalo: C-SAAHN 2020 Vision #3 & #8

10.Connect these ideas with the ten point plan previously sent to the NFTA and ECHDC concerning the DL&W Terminal.

On behalf of the Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History, & Nature (C-SAAHN), thank you again for inviting me to participate in this community project to help "Imagine" Canal Side and I hope this summary will be found helpful. Please note that an AUDIO of the Cotter boat tour on the Buffalo River is available by clicking AUDIO.

Best regards,
Dennis Galucki
Founder, C-SAAHN