DOWNTOWN HISTORY

The Entertainment District Project Report, Buffalo New York, July 1978

1978 Creation of the Theatre District in Downtown Buffalo

The 1970s were a time of transition for Buffalo with economic restructuring from the decline of manufacturing and a dramatic loss of population. ​ The suburbs were growing, shifting the function and occupancy of Downtown. ​ Mayor-elect, James D Griffin, responded to downtown business requests to focus new economic development efforts on the near-vacant Upper Main Street section of Downtown.

The University of Buffalo School of Architecture and the Department of Environmental Planning lead by Dean Harold L. Cohen and Associate Professor David W. Parry, agreed to conduct an evaluation of conditions and potential to redevelop the Entertainment District. ​ With involvement from municipal partners and the wider Buffalo community, a framework was presented to guide future actions and create a healthy district. ​ This was the beginning of Buffalo’s Theatre District as we know it today. ​ Click here to open.

View the Video: Revitalization of Buffalo's Historic Theater District

Posted by David W. Parry: https://bit.ly/3qMxRz1

• Produced by The School of Architecture and Environmental Design, State University of New York at Buffalo and Media Study/ Buffalo

• Research and treatment by The Urban Design Studio; Department of Architecture, SUNY Buffalo

• Production by Media Study/ Buffalo

• An Erie County Information Project

Featured speakers:

• Warren Clark, Businessman 8:28 minutes

• Donald O. Connell, Businessman 8:28

• Jerry Ableson, Businessman 8:51

• Leon Lawrence Sidell, Developer 12:17

• Jerry Kelly, Greater Buffalo Development Foundation Executive Director 15:40

• Dan Hoyt, NFTA Director of Planning 16:42

• Paul Barrick, City of Buffalo Director of Planning 17:24

• Curt Mangel, Shea’s Buffalo Managing Director 18:13

• Neil DuBrock, Studio Arena Artistic Director 22:01

• James D Griffin, City of Buffalo Mayor 23:25

• Harold Cohen, SUNY/ Buffalo School of Architecture and Environmental Design Dean 25:00

• David Parry, SUNY/ Buffalo School of Architecture and Environmental Design Professor 28:44

• Frank Ciriani, Roger Pasquarella, Macaroni Company owners 31:13

• Randolf Marks, Theater District Development Corporation Chairman 32:06

• Larry Quinn, City of Buffalo Commissioner of Community Development 33:19

• Bryna Weiss, Theater District Development Corporation Board Member 35:18

• David Shapero, American Cities Corp. Project Director 37:31

• James Allen, Old Spain Restaurant Developer/Owner 39:53

• Ross Kenzie, Buffalo Savings Bank President 44:22

• Sergio Fornasiero, Hyatt Hotel Developer/ Contractor 45:44

• Bill Bradford, Thurston’s Club Owner 47:19

• Gary Fisher, Buffalo Entertainment Theater Artistic Director 48:41

• Gerald O’Grady, Media Strudy/ Buffalo President 50:35

• Saul Elkin, SUNY Buffalo Theater Department Chairman 52:42

Credits:

Research and Treatment Director – David Parry

Executive Producer – David Shapiro

Produced and Directed by Kurt Feichtmeir

©1980 Media Study/ Buffalo and The School of Architecture and Environmental Design State University of New York at Buffalo