Richmond Neighborhood Community Association

Master Plan for THE AVENUE

In 2002, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Central Park Conservancy, New York City, formed a partnership to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Management and Restoration of the entire Buffalo Parks and Parkway System. The Master Plan will guide development for the next 20-30 years. Through an Advisory Committee, the plan will be driven by community input obtained from both local neighborhood and community-wide public meetings.

Restoration and Management of THE AVENUE (Richmond Ave between Symphony and Colonial Circles) is a key part of this Master Plan. Through its regular monthly meetings, the RNCA provides community input to the Master Plan Advisory Committee.
Please attend these RNCA monthly meetings and make your opinions known.
The Avenue Restoration Steering Committee
Following the May 2002 RNCA monthly meeting, the steering committee formed
and drafted an initial proposal for THE AVENUE. The proposal was unanimously and enthusiastically approved at the June 2002 RNCA meeting, and will continue to evolve under your guidance. Your input is crucial!
We welcome all input. Please send your IDEAS & COMMENTS to the Steering Committee via email to:
dbbender@buffalo.edu

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20-Year Management and Restoration Plan for THE AVENUE
June 2002 Draft

I. VISION

 -Foremost, to remain faithful to Olmsted's intent of creating a formal
    venue of stately elegance, an essential element of a great city.
- An elongated park-like green space, excluding commercial activity.
- Pedestrian realm to have priority over auto/transport realm.
- A refuge from the speed and pressure of today's life.
- Promote social interaction among all classes and ages, including
   children and seniors.

II. SPECIFIC PROJECTS

A. Restoration of Historic Landscape

1. Restore double row of American elms along Richmond Ave and Ferry
Circle walks.

B. Maintenance of Historic Character and Usage

1. Roadbed: Install 5'-wide, 1"-2" raised bike/roller blade path at curb
   edge (leaving 6' parking lane, 14' travel lane).

2. Street & Circle lighting: Install standards of appropriate scale &
   character, consistent with other parkway lighting (12' post); prefer
   more low-intensity to fewer high-intensity.

3. Sidewalks: Repair/restore/replace with respect for original materials
   (slate, sandstone) where possible; curbs likewise.

4. Intersections:  Study & redesign for pedestrian ease, safety, beauty,
   and lower speed (eg Connecticut/Bryant triangle).

5. Formal review process: Institute for all construction in 100' right-
   of-way and on adjacent properties.

6. Signage: Unique but discrete street-name signs, system-wide
    similarity.

III. SPECIAL ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

A. Safety: Measures to promote & maintain the look and feel of a safe,
     inviting environment such as increased owner-occupancy (tax-
     incentives), code enforcement, and retired cop "walkers".

B. Olmsted/Vaux Grounds & Richardson Complex: Should be part of the
     Master Plan, particularly in view of the siting of: a) Richardson west
     tower with respect to Ferry & Symphony Circles, and b) buildings &
     grounds with respect to Richmond north of Ferry Circle.

Park and Parkway areas related to THE AVENUE

The RNCA also voiced strong support for additional Master Plan elements:

a) Restoration of Forest Avenue as an approach to the Olmsted/Vaux
    rounds and Richardson building. Contact Abbottsford Place/Baynes
    St/Bird Ave Block Club group via Ian MacDonald,
    Ian.MacDonald@RoswellPark.org

b) On Porter Avenue, landscaping for the Kleinhans parking lot consistent
     with the adjacent parkway.

c) A raised, curbside bike path along Porter, Bidwell, and Lincoln,
     completing the link from Front Park, via The Avenue, to Delaware Park.
     Likewise, a bike path along Forest from Delaware Park to the river.