Skyway To The Future?
Buffalo could pioneer a prototype “Adaptive-Reuse” model for the future by reusing one of its most unique monumental structures.
Imagine the Buffalo Skyway creatively re-engineered and readapted to function as a signature “green” multi-use mega-structure, complete with a glass enclosed “green roof” and pedestrian pathway instead of as an overhead roadway. In addition to creating 400,000 sq. ft. of usable multi-purpose floor space, its 32,000 sq. ft. of enclosed roof would allow the people of Buffalo to walk and enjoy the elevated views year-round in a conservatory-like setting.
It would also create a walkway to and from downtown and the waterfront. The proposal we will discuss throughout next week with Ran Webber, the architect/artist/renaissance man behind this proposal, can be implemented in its entirety which would connect Buffalo’s outer and inner harbors or in smaller pieces as a complimentary feature to the existing inner harbor plans.
A major factor to be considered is that the Skyway’s superstructure is already complete as is, including foundations, structural support frame, roof (former roadway), and electrical supply and drainage systems. Once the Skyway no longer functions as an overhead roadway the advantages gained would answer and outweigh all of the arguments for taking the structure down.
This design concept would transform the Skyway’s function as well as bring it up to date with contemporary environmental ideology. Think of it as a creative and appropriate renovation for the times. Major development of Buffalo’s waterfront could then begin without having to spend an estimated $100 million to demolish the Skyway as is currently being considered.
We’ll have a podcast with the engineer behind the plan, interactive discussions, and we’ll post the proposal in its entirety for review and discussion. We’ll also talk about cost, political will, and funding for such a grand idea.
If there is anything specific you’d like to know about the plan, post it here and we’ll get some answers.
Tags: adaptive, Buffalo and WNY Blogroll, downtown, reuse, skyway
December 7th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
A pie-in-the-sky plan that has legs…(literally, literally) I love it!
This is much more refined and useful than Tim Tielman’s napkin scrawl version which was just slutted around on BRO today.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
This sounds like the coolest idea.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Wow. That’s a really neat idea.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
It’s Skyway reuse day!…
Apparently, there is no shortage of Skyway reuse ideas out there today. BuffaloGeek sets us up for an interview on this next week:
While it’s a much better concept than Tielman Park, again, what problems does it solve? It’s an incredibly…
December 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
This plan would be implemented after the Tifft St. Arterial is completed, current NYSDOT plan for Fuhrmann/Route 5 is completed, and some sort of bridge/tunnel is built to support the commuter/commercial traffic from the outer harbor.
We’ll have more discussion on how it works next week in podcasts and the full proposal.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
In other words, Chris, there isn’t a chance in hell of this ever happening. There’s no money for the Tifft Arterial, people are gearing up to take Route 5 to court, and a tunnel is a pipe dream. Literally.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I love the idea of bringing new uses to this structure. All these renderings have some cool potential.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Someone should forward this to Don Paul and the weather museum folks. Great vantage points of lake and lake effect storms, plus it incorporates wind-based renewable energy (could have solar too) which would add to such a museum’s programs and profile.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Ah, yes, yes. A brilliant scheme to reuse existing large structures.
I propose we do that with the Aud as well. Perhaps a committee should be appointed to study this.
And the Donovan building as well.
BBD
December 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
youve got to be kiding this would cost a friggin fortune!!!
mabey it could be done w/one or two sections but this concept is impossible. a cross between this idea and the one on bro could work
if done on a much smaller scale than this concept suggests.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
We could bury it and make a tunnel and an underground city. That would be kind of neat.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Um. Let’s just focus on filling in the gaps in the street scape between downtown and Allentown with residences and mixed-use structures and converting Pearl and Franklin to two-way streets.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Interesting idea, one hell of a wind screen. But what would poor Derek use to get to work?
December 7th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
The Tifft Arterial money is the only leg of the equation that is in doubt. The Route 5 money is already allocated and the project is out for bid. There are no grounds for a lawsuit on Route 5, every letter of the law was followed. As for the tunnel, the engineer in question is of the mind that tunnel or bridge…it doesn’t matter. $7MM allocated and in the process of being spent for studying the lift bridge concept right now. Things are happening.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
This will happen, probably never. The skyway need to come down, period.
Don’t be misled by ideas to keep the skyway.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Pauldub - I had forgotten that this would muck up Dereks commute. So scrap the plan(s).
December 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
This is the most juvenile, moronic idea Ive heard in a long long time
December 8th, 2007 at 8:18 am
It doesn’t muck up my commute plans at all. I don’t live in Hamburg anymore and I don’t drive the Skyway on a regular basis anymore. That doesn’t change the fact that I did drive it almost every day for five years, unlike most of the people who think it’s useless and should be torn down. As I said on my blog, neither this nor Tielman Park solve any of the problems that the anti-Skyway people have been proclaiming all along.
December 8th, 2007 at 10:05 am
UMMM Derek, I commented on “Are you ready for this? Hang on. Literally.” that both plans would correct what people have a problem with. That is the land that the skyway uses on the outer harbor and over the canal side project.
I really do not think people have a problem with the actual span that goes over the water. Rather they have a problem with a 90ft WALL next to HSBC that cuts thru a mega development project. They have a problem with the 25 acres used on the outer harbor for the build up from at grade to a 110ft span as it crosses the Buffalo river.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I forgot you moved Derek. How’s the new place?