PCRP Reaches Decision; Peace Bridge Design Far From Settled
Eric Ortner
North Buffalo Rocket / West Side TimesMarch 2000: There are several controversial public works projects embroiling the City of Buffalo currently. Yet, in regard to the future of the West Side, all the projects pale in comparison to the significance of the Peace Bridge.
On Thursday, March 30, many West Side residents experienced what they perceived as a momentary victory at D'Youville College. It was there that the Public Consensus Review Panel (PCRP) decided almost unanimously not to accept the Bi-National Team of Engineers recommendations for a twin arch companion span. The PCRP's outline response stated that they were, "...troubled by the vagueness in wording — even of those recommendations with which we agree…"
Therefore, the PCRP recommended that all government agencies on both sides of the border work quickly to conduct a full Environmental Impact Study. The panel also suggested implementation of a single six lane bridge made of concrete. The PCRP advised that emphasis be included on a high aesthetic standard. In addition, they requested that the Court order a Peace Bridge Public Oversight Commission to monitor the EIS process and work closely with the Public Bridge Authority.
The PCRP did agree with the Bi-National Team's recommendations to construct a northern U.S. Plaza and conduct the required Environmental Impact Statement. This choice in plaza location seems the most efficient in regard to traffic patterns. It is also believed that the northern plaza will be flexible to the Peace Bridge Authority's future space requirements. Perhaps the greatest reason for a Northern Plaza, though, is that it will reclaim Fort Porter as an addition to Front Park and will restore blocked waterfront views.
Although members of the New Millennium Group and the Peace Bridge Columbus Park Association hail the decision as a major victory; it appears that in actuality the PCRP's decision simply returns the issue to the same place it was in last October; in Judge Fahey's hands.
Victor A. Martucci, Chairman of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bride Authority responded to the PCRP's decision on Friday, March 31. He stated, "The PBA is extremely disappointed as to the outcome of a process that held great hope of bringing this debate to a conclusion. Although the PCRP could not agree to ratify the engineer's report, a clear and strong consensus did emerge among elected leaders, business, labor and the community at large, on both sides of the border. The consensus was in support of the engineer's recommendation." Mr. Martucci concluded by saying, "We will await Judge Fahey's ruling regarding the standing lawsuit and focus our energies on meeting the needs of our customers in the event bridge construction is delayed indefinitely."
It is true that there is some consensus in favor of building a twin arch bridge. Especially among business and labor which launched an extensive ad campaign favoring the immediate construction of a bridge.
However, Mr. Martucci's statement about consensus among elected officials and the community at large is questionable. The PBA's own survey of 1,000 Erie County Residents revealed a relatively equal three way split in January. The statistics revealed 39 percent of the respondents in favor of a companion span, while 34 percent were in favor of a signature span. This left 27 percent undecided.
Mr. Martucci's perceived consensus of public officials is equally questionable. While there are 14 Erie County legislators in favor of the Bi-National Team's recommendations, the County Executive does not consider the twin span as the best bridge. The County Executive Joel Giambra instead sides with the Mayor of Buffalo Anthony Masiello. This was revealed in a joint statement between the County Executive and the Mayor on March 30th. They wrote, "We stand together today to ask that the PBA focus not on the wide range of the PCRP's recommendations, but on the PCRP's endorsement of two core findings of the Bi-National Engineering Team. First, that the PVA should build the North Plaza, known as plaza option "E"; second, that the PBA should bid a six lane concrete bride and compare it to a steel structure to assess its feasibility both in terms of cost and of construction time."
PBA Chairman Victor Martucci's statement on the consensus of Public Officials can also be questioned on the Federal Level. While it is true that Congressman John LaFalce favors a companion span, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan has challenged the condition of the existing bridge as being outdated. Moynihan has questioned whether the current Peace Bridge can indeed last another 75 years which the PBA believes.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt does not seem to fit into the PBA's perceived consensus either. He said, "Throughout this process the PBA has deliberately turned a deaf ear to the public they are supposed to represent in favor of their own ill-conceived and damaging plan. If the PBA tries to ignore the Panel's decision, which they agreed to abide by when they joined this process in October, I will be the first person calling for the resignation of the members of their Board of Directors."
Niagara District Councilmember, Dominic Bonifacio has been outspoken in favor of a signature span bridge. He has been previously misquoted in the West Side Times as saying the name of the Peace Bridge should be changed to Veteran's Way. He does in fact feel that the Peace Bridge is an appropriate name. However, he does not believe that a companion span is appropriate. Mr. Bonifacio said after the PCRP made its decision, "The panel wants to stay together for the whole process and has approached me to serve. That is important because I serve the people of the West Side who will be most affected by the process."
Judge Fahey's decision on April 7 will certainly weigh heavily on the future of the West Side of Buffalo.
