Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Just weeks after Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state was ready to break ground on Skyway removal, the head of The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture says hold everything.
Tim Tielman of The Campaign, agrees that there may be reasons to abandon the Skyway for vehicular use. But he says there are parts of it that are urbanistically useful.
The Campaign wants part of the Skyway to remain as a pedestrian and bike route.
"The section from the foot of Main Street to Buffalo Harbor State Park should be preserved as a bike and pedestrian route. We call it the Cloudwalk," said Tielman.
His plan would see deconstruction of the bridge north of the Buffalo River, around the Thruway interchange.
The Campaign says keeping the southern half of the Skyway would be a transportation and recreational asset for the region. "That is where you get spectacular views of the lake. You would be able to see the mist of Niagara Falls and spectacular sunsets over the lake," said Tielman. The structure stands 110 feet tall at its highest point.
Congressman Brian Higgins, who has spent well over a decade pushing for removal of the Skyway, because he says it has outlived its usefulness, said Tielman's plan should be considered.
"It does address the issue of access from downtown Buffalo to the Outer Harbor and we must improve pedestrian and bike access from downtown and right now this is the only proposal on the table to do that. I'm not endorsing or rejecting it, but planners need to take this into consideration," said Higgins.
Tielman says the project could actually save the DOT money in the long run. "If you just take down the northern viaduct that links the SKyway to downtown, you're going to save between 25 and 30 million dollars to use for our plan to convert it for pedestrian and biking use, even sledding in the Winter.
Cloudwalk calls for elevators at either end of the span. "You can take the stairs or an elevator. You can go to Wilkeson Point for lunch if you work downtown. That's incredible," said Tielman. It would connect with the old D L& W Train shed and maximize the potential of that as another asset. It would also connect to the Riverline and the Old First Ward. You begin to see an entire area emerging, said Tielman. He thinks it would be irresponsible for elected officials not to consider this.
Campaign for Greater Buffalo
Campaign for Greater Buffalo
Campaign for Greater Buffalo
"Downtown is developing," said Higgins. "We have to improve access for everybody, including everyone living downtown." He says the State DOT should consider it and let the public make the final decision on it.
