By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-918279.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Response by citizens on their views on for future waterfront development has been pouring into Buffalo's City Hall. Ideas are coming from across the U.S.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the City has already received over 500-waterfront ideas.
"We've gotten them from Denver, we've gotten them from Chicago," said mayor Brown.
And that is just from late Monday afternoon when the City first announced that it will solicit and collect citizen input on waterfront development. Since Bass Pro bailed out of Canal Side, the City decided to ask resident's about what they would like to see built along Buffalos inner harbor.
"There have been a lot of interesting ideas. People have talked about a wate rpark with a hotel. People have talked about a domed amphitheater. People have talked about landscaping and greens space. People have talked about various water features, which the plan calls for," said mayor Brown.
But is the city trying to generate a positive citizen response, after waterfront leaders noted public negativity added to the troubled Bass Pro deal?
"We can always use additional public input. And With Bass Pro indicating that they were going to be pulling out of the project, there were a lot of people that were volunteering ideas to me and too other people in my administration," said mayor Brown.
Now the challenge is convincing and securing businesses to come to the waterfront. Earlier this week the trendy furniture store IKEA informed the public that it has no plans to come to Buffalo because the city's population is too small.
But Mayor Brown wasn't surprised. He claims IKEA gave him the same objection three years ago.