Economic Revival

Buffalo, New York's second largest city, used to be a thriving metropolis. After decades of economic decline, it has slumped into a trend of unemployment and population decreases. Mayor Anthony Masiello took a proactive approach to revitalizing the city when he and a 30-person delegation visited Pittsburgh, Pa., in May, where a plan that was implemented with the goal of preserving and improving individual neighborhoods has enjoyed immense success. Pittsburgh, like Buffalo, was once a booming industrial city that was hit by economic turmoil. This plan has helped Pittsburgh forge ahead toward renewed growth, and the leaders of Buffalo think it could produce the same result for us. A similar plan is exactly what Buffalo needs to get back on track.

Preserving individual communities, with the assistance of funding from banks, is a step toward improving the city as a whole. Although this may be a greater feat for less-than-affluent neighborhoods, the plan gives residents the opportunity to get involved in their communities and provide much-needed input regarding how preservation and renewal will take place. Involving residents and community organizations will foster a sense of neighborhood responsibility, rather than apathy, and the proper environment for growth can be fostered. Increased community involvement will lead to a greater sense of neighborhood in Buffalo; stronger neighborhoods will draw people in to stay. If by increasing the quality of life, more people will stay in the city and bring in bigger businesses, then this plan is exactly what Buffalo needs.

There are other necessary improvements that the city needs to make under this plan. Masiello is hoping to increase "invisible" parking, which would involve building large-scale indoor and underground parking facilities. Not only would traffic and parking problems become less, but also many vacant lots around the downtown area could be turned into productive buildings that will have aesthetic appeal and become home to places of businesses.

Masiello is seeking to implement the plan within three to six months. The first steps will be crucial, as this plan has the capacity to snowball into a more complete plan of economic growth. If Buffalo can muster up the initial funds from banks and the plan reaps a tangible, successful result in a single neighborhood, it will be easier to gain more revenue to expand the plan throughout all of Buffalo's communities. If the city proves to private investors that they can stop the decline of the economy and unemployment in the city and become once again committed to growth, then the city can form an investment partnership to properly distribute funds to any neighborhood that is serious about improving.

This plan is a perfect start to get Buffalo back on the right track. Although the plan, which currently focuses on preservation instead of immediate restoration, stopping Buffalo's decline and creating ways to attract funding is reason enough to be proud of the city. If each facet of the plan - a building management plan, a preservation plan and a strategic investment fund - becomes reality, Buffalo will finally be able to rejoin the ranks of growing, bustling, American cities.