City Attempts to Sell Historic Park for Warehouse
by Tim Tielman,
Executive Director of Campaign for Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture

February 2003

It has come to our attention that Buffalo has possibly contracted to sell Public Square in Black Rock (aka Station Park, Bridge Park, and 1733 Niagara Street) to a private owner for the stated purpose of erecting a warehouse. This land, to our knowledge, is held in the public trust by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The proposed transfer raises grave concerns. The sale should not be closed until the issues are addressed and given a public review.

First and foremost, the City may be violating the public trust doctrine by selling off land designated for public use and traditionally used as a park. That requires state legislative approval.

Second, the Public Square has a significant place in Black Rock and Buffalo history for its associations with the founding Porter family, the development of the Village of Black Rock and the City of Buffalo, and a 20-year court battle in the 19th and early 20th centuries over a railroad illegally taking part of the public space (the case was decided against the railroad)

Third, while the City may have ignored its obligations to maintain this park and public access to it, many neighbors have not forgotten it In recent years restoring the park and making it accessible has been part of the discussion on the Riverwalk, Squaw Island park, and neighborhood improvement projects Selling the land and erecting a warehouse on it would foreclose all other opportunities On the other hand, there is an overabundance of land within the city that can be used for warehousing and manufacturing

Fourth, the amount of money the City has agreed upon to transfer the land, reportedly in the low five figures, in no way begins to compensate the immediate neighborhood or the larger community for loss of park land.

Fifth, the proposed owner is reportedly to benefit from ECIDA funding or loans for the project and anticipated City planning, zoning, and public works approvals This is asking the public to fund and otherwise support the abandonment of public land.

The City should not move forward to close the sale without following proper procedure and an evening public hearing and an adequate public comment period Further, the dereliction the City has caused at Public Square cannot be justification for selling it off. It continues to be valued by neighborhood residents to this day One cannot imagine the City entertaining selling off Lafayette Square or Niagara Square. Why the rush to get rid of Public Square?