Seeking 'Shovel-Ready' Sites

Despite numerous vacant buildings and empty lots in downtown Buffalo, local developers and politicians insist that existing buildings must be knocked down to accomidate new and expanding businesses in the city.

1 minute read

August 8, 2003, 11:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"When a charter school wanted to move into the old AM&A's building in downtown Buffalo, a hue and cry went out from business executives and political leaders. We need to knock down that building to create a 'shovel-ready' development site for new or expanding business, they said.""The former department store was preserved at least in part so it could be knocked down to create that shovel-ready location. But no one is saying when that might occur.Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and County Executive Joel A. Giambra and their development staffs insist that in order to attract business, the city must have such sites.""Meanwhile, suburban and rural areas offer lots of green space. Much is at stake for Buffalo. Luring more business to the city, and thus generating more tax revenue, could help Buffalo out of its financial hole."

Thanks to Sam Gold

Monday, August 4, 2003 in The Buffalo News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

6 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

5 hours ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

7 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities