Buffalo’s Canalside languishes, while Tampa’s Channelside flourishes
Buffalo’s HSBC Arena and Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum have several big things in common… Both venues opened at the start of the 1996-97 hockey season; both were built on the edge of the downtown core; both were built close to the water; and both were built in the middle of challenged development areas screaming with potential.
But 11 years later, while Buffalo still fiddles with getting sites development ready, deciding what to do with the skyway, signing final agreements with Bass Pro and recruiting other retail outlets, here in Tampa it is a very different story.
In the past few years, “Channelside”, the neighborhood around the St. Pete Times Forum, has exploded into a burgeoening 24/7 live/work/play community. Two luxury hotels, a Marriott and Embassy Suites, tower right next to the arena. Bars and restaurants are occupying what used to be vacant space. Down the street “The Shops at Channelside” straddles the water with retail, restaurants and bistros. High rise and mid rise condominiums dot the skyline, either open or under construction. The signature Florida Aquarium glows in the night air. Beautiful streetscapes and a nice park lines the channel directly behind the rink.
As I walk out of HSBC Arena, onto the empty and windswept streets, look at the empty hulks of the Aud and Donovan, and reflect on the stupidity, the incompetence and the failure of what is collectively Western New York, it just makes me want to weep.
Here are some photos of the excitement that is Channelside in Tampa… Get a gander of how to develop a vibrant and exciting sports venue district…As you look at the pictures, be mindful that none of this existed ten years ago.
The Marriott right behind the arena
The Shops at Channelside, with cinemas, patio bars, restaurants, bistros, all densely packed in quaint narrow streets and hugging the channel.
The Teco trolley connects Channelside with the Ybor City Historic District, 2 miles to the northeast
Embassy Suites, just east of the arena
Another shot of the Shops at Channelside, looking towards the downtown skyline
Straight ahead is the Florida Aquarium. And check out the art deco parking ramp on the left. Yes Tim Tielman and Donny Osmonde, an above ground ramp in a historic district. Oh the horror, the horror!
The cool new scoreboard at the St. Pete Times Forum (I like ours better)
Talkin_Proud Says:October 29th, 2007 at 9:12 am
What I hate about traveling is that when I come home I have to re-adust myself to Buffalo’s reality, put blinders on, and fool msyelf in thinking that we’re making progress.
Talkin_Proud Says:October 29th, 2007 at 9:13 am
What I hate about traveling is that when I come home I have to re-adust myself to Buffalo’s reality, put blinders on, and fool msyelf into thinking that we’re making progress.
Christopher Smith Says:October 29th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Let me put my BRO Commenter hat on for this one…
“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.
Peter Farrell Says:October 30th, 2007 at 10:53 am
And I wouldn’t be so upset about the lack of progress here in Buffalo if it weren’t for the fact that stuff like this is EVERYWHERE else but in Buffalo.
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.
Aaron Says:November 1st, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Do you not think that comparing Buffalo to Tampa is a bit like calling an orange an apple?
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.