Buffalo is a shirinking town in population, cultural impact and economic vitality. I love Buffalo, but the city is going to have to get used to retraction, not expansion.

Tampa, by contrast, is finally taking prime advantage of its location in a dynamic state: Florida. The land of sunshine may be full of truly dumb people (indeed, it should be called ‘Floriduh,’) but it certainly attracts people, wealth and development.

Tampa has always been the ‘undiscovered country’ in Florida, with Miami and Orlando getting most of the attention. And yet, the Tampa Bay metro region is the 2nd largest in the state (surpassing Orlando’s and about 2 million people less than Miami’s.) Tampa has a diversified economy, and a continued march towards larger business development. Tampa has a 1st rate university, as well as a laid-back-meets-Midwest vibe that sets it apart.

Look, I’s never leave DC for Tampax, but Channelside is succeeding because they have dynamism there, as well as the critical mass to do so. Buffalo does not.

I point to a place like LaClede’s Landing in St. Louis. where they actually have the ORIGINAL buildings on the waterfront renovated into a nice shopping, retail, entertainment district along cobblestone paved streets. It actually follows the obstructionists’ ideology with a lack of “chains” located there. And here they don’t overdo the historical aspect like they wish to here in Buffalo.

Of course, things go astray because there’s a riverfront casino there(oh no!!) with plans to add a second(good heavens!!!). Let’s not forget(shudder!) parking garages on and adjacent to the landing.

A great little area imho, but I could just see the obstructionists in this town tear it to shreds before a even a final blueprint was made public in the name of “making it better”. At least in St. Louis they have a worldwide tourist attraction right at the foot of LaCledes to help make it a successful there.

“Sure people go there, but it’s ‘Anyplace, USA!’ We have the chance to build real honest to God fake authenticity on our waterfront!”

It makes the baby jeebus weep to see cities like Tampa build massive entertainment districts in their vibrant city centers whilst we haggle over the small stuff. They think outside the box on projects like this, combining private fundraising with federal, state, county, and city money. For the Riverwalk in Tampa, they held a fundraiser where people bought bricks in the cobblestones to help pay for construction. Good stuff.