Municipal Broadband

Municipal Broadband. This is basically internet that is deployed and run by the city. Let's face it, in today's world internet is no longer a luxury but rather it is a utility. I believed everyone should have access to broadband internet and with all the colleges and the booming medical campus, our city has to have the technological infrastructure needed to lure the best and brightest minds in the world. When I look for a home check to see what kind of internet they offer at that location, right now if they don't have 1gig internet I don't want it.  That's just me and I am a geek. If our city had a municipal broadband we could create new jobs across the board that would be all locally sourced which would strengthen the community. It would also force the current providers to lower their prices to be able to compete with the municipal broadband pricing. There are many places around the US that are using this model and I believe Buffalo would be an ideal location to help this city be a smart city.

Shipping Yard Container Style Outdoor Multi-use Space

So I came across this location in Tulsa OK call the Boxyard. It was inspired by an Iconic London location called the Boxpark, and I think something along these lines would be fantastic for what is going on over by the Canalside in Buffalo.  It is an outdoor multi-use space made from Shipping containers. If you have seen HGTV's Container Homes, you will know that you can do amazing things at a fraction of the cost with shipping containers. I believe an idea like this would fit perfectly and give people another reason to come and walk around downtown Buffalo. Think of it, you would have pop up boutiques, salons, restaurants, whatever we can imagine we would be able to have it.

It's been years since I last visited my own blog. A ton has changed in my city and I see some of the things that I spoke about actually came to pass. I'm excited! I am going to use this platform to update the changes and also to continue to come up with new ideas for our city.

Giant Murals

We already have the Albright-Knox Art Gallery which is one of the premier modern art museums in the world so why not add more famous are to our community? I was in Philadelphia and I was seeing these "wonderful lights' (thanks TIME) shining in a fairly dark looking city and I thought to my self it would be a wonderful sight to see these kind of things in Buffalo. One location that I always wanted to see a mural painted is over by Broderick Park (the Foot of Ferry). That big cement monstrosity that when the bridge is down we see it as we pass by on the 190, that thing would no longer be an eye sore if some one painted a beautiful picture on it. Maybe even with some historical content being that Buffalo has a very rich history.

      

Occupy Rooftops

I know that one of the largest concerns about Downtown Buffalo NY is the parking situation. They don't want to continue to just build parking ramps but if you are going to why don't they add a garden or playground on the top of it? There is currently a large debate about putting one by the Marine Drive apartments over by the naval park. I say do it just give the residents a nice park with basketball courts a track and other things to enjoy. It will also be a nice sight to see from the Skyway.

Drive-in on the Water Front

What could be better on a summer night than watching a movie with the stars in the sky and the waterfront on your side with downtown's lights giving you that ambient backlight feeling.

  In our country one form of entertainment that we have recently gotten away from is the Drive-In. There used to be one on Harlem road until a few years ago, so now if we want to enjoy it we have to drive out to Transit. So why not build one over by route 5. I know people will say "What about the day time? What about the winter months?" Well the NFTA in our city has a "Park and Ride" system and it could be a place for people to park and ride into the city during the day and in the winter.  I could even envision people on boats watching the movies.

Casino Riverboats

People are always complaining about the lack of waterfront development in our City. I mean I totally understand who puts a Interstate Highway on the waterfront? BUT that was not our decision. One thing I think we could do to beautify the waterfront would be the addition of Casino Riverboats. Those elaborate creations that grace the Mississippi and other southern waters. Now just think about it. Its a nice summer day and you are at the casino on the waters of WNY. During the winter months they could dock over by Route 5, and if the water is not deep enough for this to be possible just build a building that looks like a boat.