Common Council Reviews Alternative Peace Bridge Plan
Eric Ortner
North Buffalo Rocket / West Side Times
Jeff Belt from the New Millennium Group explains his plan before interested members of the Common Council and the Public Bridge Authority. Photo by Eric Ortner
January 2000: The controversy over the construction of an improved Peace Bridge remains a hot issue. It appears that this will be the case well into March. Last week it was reported that the Public Consensus Review Panel (PCRP) Steering Committee would make its recommendations on January 24th. However, this was based on outdated information.
On Friday, January 14, the Common Council held a Super Span Signature Bridge Task Force Meeting. It was a significant event because members of the Public Bridge Authority were invited to attend and they did just that. However, they were not actively involved in the meeting, and were present merely as observers; there only to listen. It does remain a major advancement in bringing the Peace Bridge controversy to a resolution because the two sides have agreed to agree.The task force immediately discussed several issues. One topic was whether or not the design of the bridge and the design of the plaza could be handled as two different issues or one single concern. It was emphatically stated that the design of the bridge and the design of the plaza had to be considered as one issue.
Another important subject covered by the Task Force was the future schedule of meetings held by the Public Consensus Review Panel. The public is invited and encouraged to go to the following meetings:
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Workshop on Conceptual Plaza Designs and Assessment of Aesthetics - January 20, 8 a.m. in D’Youville College |
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Evaluation of Bridge System Alternatives - February 17, 4 p.m. in D’Youville College |
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PCRP meet to review draft final report - February 23, 8 a.m. in D’Youville |
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Public Hearings on Draft Final Report of Bi-National Team- March 7&8, at WNED studios |
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PCRP vote on ratification of Bi-National Review Teams Recommendations -March 14, at 8 a.m. in D’Youville |
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Recommendation submitted to PBA on Wednesday, March 15. |
After the general business was concluded, the New Millennium Group represented by Jeff Belt and Bob Biniszkiewicz from the Coalition to get the Bridge Out of the Park, made a presentation on an alternative bridge design. In actuality, the primary purpose of this task force meeting was to give members of the Common Council a chance to view the New Millennium Groups proposal. It also gave the Council a chance to raise questions and concerns.
The alternative plan appears to be well thought out. It includes moving the Peace Bridge Plaza into what is currently a residential neighborhood between Rhode Island and Hampshire Streets. To make the move, 90 homes would need to be demolished. A survey of 75 of the potentially affected homes has been conducted, with only six of them not responding. The survey asked, if the City were willing to pay 1.5 times the assessed value of the property, would you sell, and 57 of them said "yes." Four people said they wanted to see what their neighbors were doing. Another six said they were willing to sell, but wanted more money than was being offered.
The New Millennium Group and the Coalition to Get the Bridge Out of the Park believe that by moving the Plaza to this area, Front Park will become the gem that Frederick Law Olmsted intended it to be.
In addition to relocating the plaza, the designers have put a great deal of thought into the traffic flow entering and exiting the plaza. This includes ramps with spacious 14 foot lanes, minimal inclines, and 205 degree curves which exceed the New York States requirements. A major part of this improved access includes tunneling under Niagara Street to create an entry to the plaza.
