The City of Good Neighbors has long been in debate over how to develop the valuable waterfront district into an area that promotes a center of green economic and cultural growth. On Friday, local community activist groups will join together to get the public involved in the cause.
Transform, Love, Connect: Buffalo; Buffalo First!; and the Canal Side Community Alliance will join together to promote waterfront development through a free concert and art display, entitled "Buffalo Harbors: A Concert for Our Waterfront," which begins at 8 p.m.
Andrew Stanek, producer of the event and leader of Transform, Love, Connect: Buffalo, is excited to get the community talking about the waterfront in new ways.
"Buffalo Harbors is meant to help people envision the work being done at the Canal Side as a public space that will thrive with their inclusion and attendance," Stanek said. "The atmosphere will be one of advocacy and optimism, not of tearing down ideas or the progress that has so far moved the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. along its plans."
Another big supporter of the advocacy of the waterfront development is Buffalo First!, a not-for-profit organization that is working to build a sustainable and equitable living economy in Western New York by educating local businesses and consumers about the benefits of supporting the local community.
Buffalo First! is working with the Canal Side Community Alliance to help bring national businesses to the waterfront and make local businesses the focal point of the development.
"We are here to build a waterfront we can all be proud of – this goal can be accomplished with local minds and local businesses," said Sarah Bishop, executive director of Buffalo First!
The concert Friday night will focus on these ideals while celebrating local culture. Stanek came up with the idea of a concert to promote awareness.
Local musicians will take the stage in support of waterfront development. Stu Fuchs (of local act Babik), On Guard, Mel Latimer, A Relative Term, and Breckenwood are all scheduled to perform throughout the evening.
The night will offer more than just good music. Members of the Canal Side Alliance will deliver a few short speeches about the negotiation of a community benefits agreement, which would ensure quality jobs, green design standards, and operations while providing a voice for local businesses in the development of the waterfront.
Attendees will be provided with a pamphlet outlining the history of the harbor development, the major local players in the cause, and where more information can be found.
Guests also will have the chance to participate in a community art project in the form of a do-it-yourself poster collage entitled "The Infinite Canal." Visitors will be able to take cutouts of waterfront property and write down and design what ideas they have for future developments.
This project, along with the full video recording of the event, will be brought together with insights of local professionals to create a mini-documentary, "Buffalo Harbors: A History of Waterfront Development."
Caz Café will provide refreshments throughout the evening, along with Liquid Energy Juice Café. Flying Bison Brewery, Dolci Bakery, and Merge restaurant have also generously donated refreshments, appetizers and desserts.
"[We're] committed to maintaining and supporting all efforts that take into account Buffalo and its unique character," Bishop said. "We want people to know and enjoy Buffalo, New York – not Anyplace, New York."
The celebration kicks off Friday night at 8 p.m. at The Game Room, located at 700 Main St. above The Vault Art Gallery. The event is free and open to all ages. Volunteers will be present throughout the night, accepting donations that will directly go to continuing Canal Side development efforts.
"You can do your homework, look up the transparent plans, and interviews already done on the subject," Stanek said. "The benefit of this event is to make that sort of thing less cumbersome, to throw it all into a cozy little package, and hope it still inspires some thought."
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
