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Richardson Campus Redevelopment

The Richardson complex is a series of nineteenth century buildings designed by Henry Hobson Richardson that once housed the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Set on a landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this national historic landmark is easily one of our city's greatest civic treasures, but unconscionable neglect by the State of New York has seen the structures fall into extreme disrepair.

To address this problem and restore the complex to a state befitting its architectural significance, the not-for-profit H.H. Richardson Center Corporation was established in July 2006 by then-governor George Pataki to guide reuse and redevelopment efforts. $76.5 million in state funds are driving the project, $20 million of which has been allocated for a center intended to celebrate Buffalo's architectural treasures. Calling on a model similar to what has been successful in bringing the Darwin D. Martin house back to life as a significant architectural attraction, the Richardson Center Corporation is showing that this effort may have what it takes to move from ideas to reality.

In an effort reminiscent of William Dorsheimer asking Frederick Law Olmsted to come to Buffalo to look at planning a park for the city, the Richardson Center Corporation invited the Urban Land Institute to visit Buffalo and explore possibilities for the re-use of this remarkable site. Prior to their arrival, the ULI received a briefing book from the Richardson Center Corporation which informed their early understanding of the project.

Downloads:

Briefing Book (3.22 mb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Briefing Book Appendices (9.2 mb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Urban Land Institute Report

Peggy Lee Album CoverAfter a few days of exploring the campus and speaking with various stakeholders and groups surrounding the campus, the ULI presented a report outlining some exciting possibilities.

Among the reuse opportunities suggested by ULI were: conference facilities, classrooms, labs and student housing for Buffalo State College; mixed-use development with "community" retail along Elmwood Avenue; for sale and rental residental - $500-700K condos, $1,250-3,000/monthly rentals; a 200-room hotel and conference center; and a neighborhood-serving professional office.

Also discussed, but not explicitly endorsed, was relocating the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and opening up that space for reuse.

Download the ULI Report (3.64 mb, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
View an online slide show of the ULI Report.

The GFA Response

The ULI effort was a great start to what should be a wide-ranging discussion, but it would be too much to expect a comprehensive strategy to emerge from what was really little more than a very well informed brainstorming session. After careful consideration of the tenets of the ULI recommendations, the Grant-Ferry Association has come up with a response intended to continue and enhance the discussion, rather than thwart and frustrate redevelopment efforts.

We applaud the efforts to date H.H. Richardson Center Corporation, which we believe to be a sincere desire to achieve a solution that will be beneficial for all of Buffalo's people.

The GFA recommendations are summarized as follows:

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Download a copy of the GFA Report: Another Redevelopment Strategy for the Richardson Complex.

For more information, call 716.597.4387