Moving ECC Downtown

County Executive Joel Giambra is pushing a plan to consolidate Erie Community College in the downtown area between Dunn Tire Park and the Central Library. The plan will cost up to $165 million, but the long-term benefits to everyone outweigh that number.

The project will revitalize much of the downtown area, inject student dollars, encourage businesses and provide state of the art education. The renovations to the other campuses would have cost $130 million, and upkeep costs would have cost an additional $3 million a year. Since money needs to be spent, it should go where it has the most benefits and return.

Bringing students into the downtown area will generate an estimated $2 million of revenue for the city, but that does not include possible growth if more businesses come in to cater to those students. Aside from boosting business and livelihood of the area, it will provide much needed tax revenue. Since it is a huge project, lots of immediate construction jobs will be created, pumping even more money into the area.

Students have mixed reactions to the plan and for good reasons. Downtown does not have a great reputation, and must build a booming community along with the new college.

The issue of transportation, in regard to traffic and parking is both a positive and negative. For students who already live nearby or have access to the metro, it will be a bonus. If students live in surrounding towns, things could get a little messy. Giambra did not have a specific plan for these problems, and he cannot assume they will go away. A better parking facility would greatly benefit not just the students, but also the whole downtown area.

If the transportation issues are not remedied, it could cost ECC some of its enrollment numbers. The school must share some of the responsibility and provide parking, but the students must remain committed to their education to the point of suffering through some traffic jams or parking woes - something every UB student knows is annoying, but can be combated.

There is a lot about the plan that still needs to be finalized, and even getting out the idea is important. If the students of ECC get a voice in the mover and all aspects of transportation and employment are considered, this plan can move forward relatively soon.

A bustling downtown center, where college life combines with a strong service economy will help everyone. This could be the spark for which downtown has been waiting, and the increased tax revenue will help a great deal. This plan deserves further discussion that will hopefully lead to implementation and rejuvenation.

Everyone hears about how if UB were downtown, the area would be so much more vibrant. This is a chance for that mistake to be corrected to a degree. The infusion of dollars from 12,000 students will benefit the area far more than a bass fishing store or a casino.