There isn’t just one answer to that question and there’s not a silver bullet solution either. I’ll try and give our view of what’s wrong and what’s needed.
First, it’s a regional problem. Without writing a thesis on the ills of Buffalo this is a summary of our problems: Job loss, High taxes, Cold weather, Old-Time politics, Sprawl, Bureaucracy, Lack of coordination between agencies, Abundance of old housing stock, Too many competing municipalities, Too many competing Not-For-Profits and an Out-dated work force.
As you can see we have quite a mountain to climb. There’s no quick fix to these problems, it’s going to take hard work, sacrifice, collaboration and the guidance of visionary leadership to bring brighter days back to Buffalo.
In the case of South Buffalo specifically, we must find solutions to the problems of double housing, poverty, detachment from the community, education, and safety. For too long, the focus for South Buffalo’s leaders has been the improvement of infrastructure but what’s the point if you don’t have a community base willing to care for these structures? We can get the nicest light posts in the world but if it becomes a target for Graffiti artists what value has been added to the community? If you repave the sidewalks in front of empty buildings, who’s going to shovel the snow? How can local businesses compete with suburban malls and super-stores such as Wal-Mart? Answer; Meet the needs of the local consumers. What if local consumers are poor? Hello, furniture rental and dollar stores.
To revitalize South Buffalo, we must focus on people instead of infrastructure. Empower, Educate and Unify the people. It’s not an instant solution but the positive effects on the community would outlast any physical improvements made at this point.
Love the new blog specific to Seneca Rising.
Pat, you know me… I’m all for an over-all redoing of the infrastructure in the COB. I guess I’m just tired of hearing about how the Waterfront will be brand new while streets like Seneca are literally falling apart. For as much as we pay in taxes, it’s just unacceptable, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in South Buffalo has been let go for too long.
If you repave the sidewalks in front of empty buildings, who’s going to shovel the snow? —– Either it will go unshoveled or the same person/people will remove the snow as if the sidewalks were old.
Infrastructure, the graffiti, blight, the number of abandoned houses… these are all important issues that the city can help with to improve our neighborhood. And I agree with you, getting people interested & involved is key to building the community back up again.
I agree with some of what you’re saying but at the same time, are you saying we shouldn’t get streets repaved? Seneca Street needs it badly.
Clearly we need streets paved. What I think Pat is trying to say, and I don’t meen to speak for you Pat, is if the community stands together then we can get the streets paved, new street lights put in, etc.
If we do come together then the politicians have to listen to us and we can collectively hold them accountable. I don’t meen we should tell them what to do or anything like that. When action is needed and it’s not taken because some politicians put promoting themselves ahead of doing what’s necessary to help South Buffalo, that shouldn’t be happening. If we come together we won’t need to tolerate that anymore. Not them, not the drug dealers, not the scumbags that don’t take care of their property, not any of them. Collectively we can accomplish a lot but we need to stand together. We need solidarity.