RehabDevelopment

These moves renovate existing buildings and put them back to use; to either how they were originally used or for an entirely new purpose.

Large Scale Adaptive ReuseThis move transforms large vacant or underused office buildings or warehouses into developments that are new and different. Large-scale adaptively reused buildings could become new offices, business incubators, apartments or mixed-use complexes. The picture at left is of a former manufacturing plant in North Tonawanda (producing carousel horses, typewriters and other things) that is now being redeveloped as a mixed-use complex with commercial space on the ground floor and apartments above. Imagine a large underutilized building in your community being redeveloped creatively like this. Is this the type of move you would want to happen in the future?

1Residential RehabThis move rehabilitates and renovates homes that have been left abandoned or have fallen into disrepair; mostly in older communities of the region. Rehabilitating distressed homes when it is feasible to do so is a cost-effective alternative to demolishing and rebuilding houses in older neighborhoods. Imagine older, vacant homes in parts of Buffalo or Niagara Falls being rehabilitated instead of being demolished. Is this the type of move you would want to happen in the future?

“Main Street” Commercial RehabThis move reuses vacant old commercial buildings along walkable main streets in cities and villages throughout the region. It can serve as a countermeasure to the development of new extensive commercial strips we have seen over the past several decades and help revitalize these pedestrian-friendly corridors. Imagine old, abandoned retail buildings on a walkable retail corridor in your neighborhood being renovated. Is this the type of move you would want to see happen in the future?

InfillDevelopment

These moves put new buildings on vacant lots within areas that are otherwise already mostly developed.

Downtown InfillThis move builds new large-scale developments on undeveloped or under-developed lots in urban downtowns. This photo shows an example of a mixed-use facility being constructed on top of a former parking lot in a strategic area within downtown Buffalo. Imagine more projects built on vacant lots and parking lots in downtown Buffalo or Niagara Falls. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

2Neighborhood InfillThis move uses vacant lots in compact, traditional neighborhoods to build new, street-scaled urban-style homes that fit the existing neighborhood context. Imagine townhomes, duplexes or urban cottages being built on previously cleared lots in urban and village neighborhoods throughout the region. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

“Main Street” InfillThis move increases the density and variety of uses within walkable “Main Street” corridors in cities, villages and town centers by building appropriately scaled homes, shops, offices or apartments on vacant lots or parking lots. Imagine mixed-use buildings sprouting up on vacant lots along walkable Main Streets in places like Lockport, Hamburg or Springville. Is this the type of move you would want to see happen in the future?

InfillDevelopment

These moves put new buildings on vacant lots within areas that are otherwise already mostly developed.

Downtown InfillThis move builds new large-scale developments on undeveloped or under-developed lots in urban downtowns. This photo shows an example of a mixed-use facility being constructed on top of a former parking lot in a strategic area within downtown Buffalo. Imagine more projects built on vacant lots and parking lots in downtown Buffalo or Niagara Falls. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

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Neighborhood InfillThis move uses vacant lots in compact, traditional neighborhoods to build new, street-scaled urban-style homes that fit the existing neighborhood context. Imagine townhomes, duplexes or urban cottages being built on previously cleared lots in urban and village neighborhoods throughout the region. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

“Main Street” InfillThis move increases the density and variety of uses within walkable “Main Street” corridors in cities, villages and town centers by building appropriately scaled homes, shops, offices or apartments on vacant lots or parking lots. Imagine mixed-use buildings sprouting up on vacant lots along walkable Main Streets in places like Lockport, Hamburg or Springville. Is this the type of move you would want to see happen in the future?

TransitO r i e n t e d

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), is focused on making public transit more accessible and effective by increasing density around origins (homes) and destinations (work or school or other) and enhancing connections to multiple modes of transportation.

Large-scale TODThis move creates centers of higher density mixed use development at sites served by public transit. Large-scale TOD is often centered on a transit “hub” such as a fixed-rail station or bus “transit center” and serves a major employment center. The new UB School of Medicine on the growing Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus – to be physically integrated with the Allen Street Metro Rail station – is a great example of this. Imagine more large-scale TOD areas appearing in other parts of Buffalo or Niagara Falls. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

3D e v e l o p m e n t

Neighborhood TODThis move incrementally redevelops sites served by high frequency bus lines to provide additional housing, local retail and other services. Increasing the density and variety of uses within neighborhoods served by transit enhances the use of public transit and limits car-dependency. Imagine neighborhoods around the existing Metro rail stops becoming more dense, vibrant and walkable. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

Village Main Street TODThis move redevelops sites in town and village centers to provide additional housing, retail and services while also allowing for an increase in the frequency of transit service to these neighborhoods. By increasing the number of transit stops, density and the range of uses, this type of TOD also enhances the use of public transit and limits car-dependency in centers that have limited access to transit. Imagine new small-scale TOD districts emerging in places like the village of Orchard Park or Lewiston. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

More Walkable

SuburbsThese moves increase the density, range of uses and design of public spaces in suburban communities so that they become more pedestrian-friendly.

Larger Scale Mall Retrofit This move comprehensively transforms suburban shopping centers into mixed-use urban centers. This could convert sites with big box buildings and extensive parking lots to walkable retail-lined streets with upper story apartments and offices. Single-story commercial strip buildings could give way to higher density mixed-use buildings that frame the public street. Imagine an area like Niagara Falls Boulevard turning into a mixed-use, walkable urbanized center. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

4Neighborhood RetrofitThis move brings home additions, energy retro-fits, granny flats, mingles, rear cottage homes and other alternative housing formats to suburban neighborhoods to provide affordable housing for diverse needs at slightly higher densities. Imagine a suburban neighborhood in West Seneca or Amherst being filled in with a wider range of housing options – is this the type of move you would want to see happen in the future?

Smaller Scale Suburban Plaza RetrofitThis move incorporates step-wise transformations that create mixed use, street-level connections, and an urban feel within smaller suburban plazas. Imagine small plazas along commercial strips like Transit Road or Southwestern Boulevard being converted into walkable, mixed-use centers. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

Creating New

PlacesThese moves focus new development on “greenfield” sites on the suburban periphery of the metropolitan area.

New Suburban ResidentialThis move creates low-density neighborhoods with single-family homes around winding roads and cul-de-sacs on previously undeveloped open space. This type of development gives residents easy access to destinations by car, larger yards and a sense of privacy. Imagine wooded or open areas in towns like Clarence and Wheatfield being developed into suburban residential neighborhoods. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

5New Mixed-Use Town CentersThis move builds denser, mixed-use, street-focused, transit-served, new-build developments on undeveloped land or underused suburban sites. Imagine an area that currently has some large-scale suburban-style retail and a lot of open space, like the center of Grand Island, being transformed into a town center with a range of housing styles, retail options and a pedestrian-friendly environment. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?

Suburban Employment Centers and Strip AreasThis move builds new low-rise office parks, or strip malls with an abundance of parking on previously undeveloped land. This type of development provides workers and shoppers easy access with a car but limits the variety of services on site. Imagine new office parks being built in towns like Lancaster and Lockport. Is this the type of move you would want to see made in the future?