Reminder: Practice Group meeting
Open Space will meet this month,
on Tuesday, APRIL 20th
at 6:00pm
in the NORTHWEST BUFFALO COMMUNITY CENTER.
155 LAWN AVENUE which runs off MILITARY ROAD north of HERTEL AVENUE.
Open Space Meeting March 16th at Father Belle Community Center
Open Space Technology is a simple, effective way of bringing people together to get important things done. Several people who trained in the practice of Open Space Technology meet on the third Tuesday of each month.
If you would like to find out more about Open Space, you are cordially invited to join us on March 16th at 6:00pm in the Belle Community Center which is located at 104 Maryland Street.
Reminder: Practice Group meeting (new location!)
Reminder that Tuesday evening, February 16, 2010 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the POLONIA HALL.
Address: 385 Paderewski Dr. Buffalo, NY 14212
These meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
As part of our effort to meet “in the community”, at 6:00pm, on February 16th, we will convene at the POLONIA HALL (at the circle, Memorial and Paderewski Drive, near the Central Terminal).
The Plawecki Post Bar and Buffalo Co-op FCU will also be open that evening (i.e. if you wish to purchase food and/or beverage).
1. If you need more detailed directions, please
e-mail Yuri (Yuri.Hreshchyshyn@erie.gov).
2. If you have a suggestion for a community location, please email the information
to Marilyn Gallivan mnmg11d@roadrunner.com
Thank you!
RIT DESIGN PRESENTATION
This is a Public presentation of the results of the RIT Design studio on the Broadway Market!
One of the first open space meetings was conducted on the Broadway Market at the Matt Urban Center.
Date/Time/Location:
Broadway Market
999 Broadway
Buffalo, New York
February 17, 2010
3:00 pm
RSVP:
http://tinyurl.com/broadwaymarket2010
Questions
broadwaymarketstudio@gmail.com
Reminder: Practice Group meeting
Reminder that Tuesday evening, January 19, 2010 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost.
These meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
Reminder: Practice Group meeting
Reminder that Tuesday evening, December 15, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost.
These meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
Mayor Brown is Requesting Moderators for Wed 4-6:30 White House Jobs Forum
Dear Trained Open Space Facilitators:
Mayor Brown is asking for your help in putting your facilitation skills to work for him and President Obama. He has been asked by the President’s office to conduct a forum next week on Jobs and Economic Growth in Buffalo. It will be held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Wednesday, December 9th from 4 - 6:30 pm.
The room will be set up for tables of 8. Participants will discuss each of 3 questions at their tables and at then end of the discussion, we need your help to moderate the group to choose its top issues to be noted on a summary form you complete for them and get it entered into a computer at the head of the room.
This task is important because the White House will be getting tens of thousands of responses and we need ours from Buffalo efficiently packaged and communicated.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING MODERATE A TABLE AT THIS MAYOR’S FORUM,
PLEASE REPLY TO DAVID GRANVILLE BY TUESDAY AT NOON.
DO NOT RSVP AS A REGULAR ATTENDEE.
Questions? 851-4296. David will send a brief moderator’s guide and perhaps even a web link to a short orientation video to be sure you’re prepared.
Please try to arrive by 3:30 the day of the event.
We also believe this forum will lead to a meeting in open space on the same topic sometime in January–more about that soon–a chance to put your open space training to a great use.
Sincerely,
Brian
_____________________________
Brian Reilly
Economic Development Commissioner
for Mayor Byron W. Brown
Call for Help: Imagine Buffalo in the 21st Century, by Brian Reilly
After Dennis Galucki asked me to do a lunchtime presentation on the topic “Imagining Buffalo Niagara in the 21st Century,” we wondered what might result if we tried a slightly different model than a formal lecture?
After all, everyone in the room will already be in Buffalo in the 21st century. What do they think about the future they’ll be helping create?
If it’s true what the Spanish poet Antonio Machado says, that “We make the road by walking,” then
- What are some interesting steps people in Buffalo are taking today?
- Where might they lead?
And since we’re a Great Lakes city… what if we asked others in similar cites to join in?
So, we want to do an experiment. We are calling on people from a range of places, people who are living in Buffalo Niagara and beyond, who are thinking about the futures of such Great Lakes cities and people who are doing things right now to build that future to address:
How might what you are doing today influence our “Imagining Buffalo in the 21st century?”
- new connections being made?
- places being created or re-envisioned?
- how we view assets ?
- Or, or, or…
To start the dialogue you can join the discussion I started on Facebook or respond to my call for tweets on Twitter.
You can also email me at brianreilly14 at gmail.com, comment on my blog, call me at 716.851.4972, fax me at 716.851.4242. Whatever works for you.
If you’re going to express yourself on the internet, try using the hashtag #imagineBuffalo21 so your contributions can be easily searched for online.
With everything I receive by December 4th, I will try to compile a presentation that reflects what people are doing and what that might say for where Buffalo seems to be going in the 21st century just a decade into it.
I encourage you to join us in person as well
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Noon
@ Buffalo and Erie County Downtown Public Library
Organized by the Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature, as part of its Fall and Winter Lecture Series
Reminder: Practice Group monthly meeting
Reminder that Tuesday evening, November 17, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost
These meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
Invite to a Buffalo deconstruction brainstorm — for Extreme Makeover - Home Edition
Dear Colleagues:
I thought you or people in your networks might have thoughts to share. I encourage you to contribute and/or to forward to those you think might be interested.
Thanks
——————
Oct 23
Mayor Byron W. Brown announced today that the TV show Extrememe Makeover - Home Edition has chosen a home to rebuild in Buffalo NY in early November.
Lots of blighted and abandoned houses are demolished each year in Buffalo. To pilot an approach on this house that could be scaled up potentially city wide, join us in brainstorming how some of that material might instead be feasibly reused and represent local economic value rather than a fiscal cost…
For my Flickr photo account, go to this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_reilly/sets/
You’ll find topically-grouped sets of pictures of typical parts of a house—the components that are now cost the city money to send to landfills. Share your reuse experience with any type of material pictured by finding and clicking on a photo of the material and post your comments below it of how you could reuse it.
We’re seeking ideas from everyone—salvage and scrappers, artists, builders, retailers, wholesalers, and innovative people.
Would you reuse as the item as it was originally designed–a door as a door? Or “upcycle” the door into higher value fine furniture? Or “downcycle” it as stylish wall coverings or repeating fence components? or downcycle still as ground up wood fuel pellets?, etc
Tell use, theoretically speaking, how many might someone be able to use with this application–one 2×4 or a pallet-full of them? How much new value might your processing add? What might someone be able to sell it for to end customer?
We’re eager to know how much of a typical house people have re-use ideas for and how much local economic value that might represent.
We’re inviting experience nationally and seeking real potential partners locally.
Thanks for participating in this virtual brainstorm! Feel free to forward this invitation to others you think might be interested.
-Brian Reilly, Buffalo NY
ABOUT USING FLICKR
To benefit from the full Flickr experience (comments, notes, tags, participate in groups, etc.), you will need to sign in with your Yahoo ID and Password . If you don’t have one, take a minute to create it, click on the Sign Up link or click on this direct link: http://www.flickr.com/
Once you are logged into Flickr, you want to add me as a contact (that way every time I upload new pictures or there are new comments, you will see them in your home page or contacts page). To do that, go to the navigation menu right under Brian Reilly’s Photostream, and click on the option furthest to your right: add as a contact.
Now we are all set and can start working!
Notice that in my pictures you can:
• make comments
• add tags you consider appropriate
• add notes right on the picture (like a sticky note, only that it’s transparent and let’s you pinpoint exactly a detail in the picture you want to talk about)
You are also invited to join a Deconstruction and Reuse in Buffalo group, where you can post your own pictures of reused materials and participate in discussions and pools about the subject: http://www.flickr.com/groups/deconstructionbuffalo/
Practice Group monthly meeting
Reminder that Monday evening*, October 19, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost
These meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
*Note the October meeting moved to Monday rather than Tuesday!
East Buffalo Meeting ~ Break-Out Session 3 Notes
The following are the rough, working notes from the third breakout session convened at the connecting places in the Broadway-Fillmore District of Buffalo meeting held at the Central Terminal on October 3, 2009.
Issue: Coordinating events in the district, establishing a program calendar and a project timeline
Convener(s): Eddy and Rich
Summary of Discussion:
Making people aware of events going on:
· Too much “red tape” to get project going and through city hall
· Share email addresses
· Post it (notices) outside (example – Central Terminal)
· One set person to coordinate calendar
· Repetitive advertising
· Come up with a unified image
· Focus on “your” area (i.e. not entire east side) – If not, “name”
How to select a “Name”?
· Notify Buffalo Police of events (C District – Chief Scott)
· Board leadership cross-overs ( a board member of Broadway Market also serving as a board member at Central Terminal
Restoration Corporation)
· Use workers for all
· Expand to all groups
· Bring events from other (outside) communities: must be “thought out” well; need someone to find and plan them, (e.g. “Parking and Ride” on second level of Broadway Market (NFTA) research and implement)
· Add to existing events (e.g. “Art Deco” fashion show at Central Terminal)
East Buffalo Meeting ~ Break-Out Session 2 Notes
The following are the rough, working notes from the second breakout session convened at the connecting places in the Broadway-Fillmore District of Buffalo meeting held at the Central Terminal on October 3, 2009.
Issue: Restoring the Broadway-Fillmore Area and Re-Inventing Paderewski
Convener(s): Bishop Grosz and Eddy D.
Summary of Discussion:
- Bring in people/keep people
- Preserve the old post office
- Paderewski: NYS/COB/E.C. attend – change laws
- Support each others events
- Creation of a calendar of events
- Need one master plan
- Get a foundation involved
- Urban planner stay involved
- A small group can get things going: talk and share
- Keep “re-entry” initiatives
- Collaboration, communication and planning
- Rebuild on empty lots
- Continue meeting
- Rebuild neighborhoods
- Hit city hall
- All groups work with police (E. Ferry & Fillmore)
- Involve more people
- Get more people to move here
- Unity
- Today – first step-next-develop solutions
- Develop a plan for houses around St. Stanislaus
East Buffalo Meeting ~ Break-Out Session 1 Notes
The following are the rough, working notes from the first breakout session convened at the connecting places in the Broadway-Fillmore District of Buffalo meeting held at the Central Terminal on October 3, 2009. Several topics were discussed, each with their own
notes.
Issue #1: “Successful Re-entry”
Convener: Antwon D.
Summary of Discussion:
- Communication
- Plan
- Help those who come back as good neighbors.
- Help businesses who would do this: politics
- Need help – accountant/lawyer
- Promotion re-entry incentive
- Successful re-entry statistics
- Child molesters
- Make them resources
- Programs to help the comeback
- Occupations in area that need help
Issue(s) #2:”Improving the relationship between the police & the community/Crime & drugs”
Convener(s): Bill C. and Ken K.
Summary of Discussion:
- Police care – know neighborhood, make contact with police, have a “war” on love.
- Abandon Buildings – COB do something
- Drugs & crime
- Absent landlords
Issue #3:”Homeless/Squatters”
Convener(s): Joyelle and Karen
Summary of Discussion:
- Hope Center – help homeless and support network
- Violence against homeless population
- Abandoned buildings – homeless moving in
- Rehab old house/owner occupied
- Helping people
- Volunteers
- Organize
- Jobs in the community
- Money needed
- How do home/business owners find out about $$$
- Council members should be here to help
- Many people want money; help needed to write grant requests
- Strategic planning needs to take a broader look
- Neighborhood needs one large voice
- New generation must be included/involved
- Education
- Have a solution
- Work together
Reminder: East Buffalo meeting 10/3 - 9 am to 4 pm
You are invited to help connect places in…
Broadway-Fillmore, Broadway Market Village, Historic Polonia, The Terminal District.
Do you want to turn this area around?
However you define it, this area is one of Buffalo-Niagara’s more challenged neighborhoods
from a residential perspective, but also one if its most attractive, culturally.
If you care about the opportunity to strengthen this area by making connections among its cultural
and business resources, please come to this meeting!
If you have a PASSION for this neighborhood, come join us in a public meeting convened by
Broadway Market, Corpus Christi, Dave Franczyk, City of Buffalo, Central Terminal
Restoration Corporation, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church, Lower East Side Weed & Seed, Adam Mickiewicz Library, Broadway FIllmore NHS, Broadway Fillmore Alive, Dyngus Day Buffalo, Forgotten Buffalo, East Buffalo GNPA, and Lombard - Clark Block Club.
Lunch is available by calling 851-4296.
Saturday, October 3, 2009. 9:00am to 4:00 pm. at Central Terminal.
Practice Group Monthly meeting
Reminder that tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost
These meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
East Buffalo Meeting update
You are invited to help connect places in…
Broadway-Fillmore, Broadway Market Village, Historic Polonia, The Terminal District.
Do you want to turn this area around?
However you define it, this area is one of Buffalo-Niagara’s more challenged neighborhoods
from a residential perspective, but also one if its most attractive, culturally.
If you care about the opportunity to strengthen this area by making connections among its cultural
and business resources, please come to this meeting!
If you have a PASSION for this neighborhood, come join us in a public meeting convened by
Broadway Market, Corpus Christi, Dave Franczyk, City of Buffalo, Central Terminal
Restoration Corporation, Lower East Side Weed & Seed, Adam Mickiewicz Library,
Broadway Fillmore Alive, Dyngus Day Buffalo, Forgotten Buffalo, East Buffalo GNPA,
and Lombard St. Block Club.
Lunch is available by reservation only. Reserve your lunch by October 1st by calling 851-4296.
Saturday, October 3, 2009. 9:00am to 4:00 pm. at Central Terminal.
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE!!
Indicators Session Report-out
Topic: Indicator development
Original Invitation: http://creativelysustainable.com/?p=10
Conveners: Aaron Gilbee, The Wellness Institute, City of Buffalo
Participants: Phil Haberstro, Larry Brooks,Laura Chestnut, Patrick Braun, David Granville, Yuri Hreshchyshyn, Laura Fitzgerald, Beverly McLean
Overview of note process: the meeting notes have been organized by major category. What has been mentioned is directly below is the dialogue that was captured on paper.
Notes from session
History
In the previous strategic planning process, it was explained during the session that people did explore the idea of developing indicators. However, it was not included.
The League of Women Voters has done an awareness campaign on smart growth several years back.
Psychology
Reactions to questions regarding indicators by people include 3: people have their own perceptions, others have facts, others don’t know.
Why are community indicators important?
Increased community awareness
Can’t improve what you can’t measure
Can’t learn from the past if things are not recorded
Can’t unite people if they don’t have similar understanding
Helps to diffuse myths and misperceptions
Let’s people have a way to know when to celebrate progress
It improves decision making quality
Process Questions
At what point do you get community (average people) involved?
Is there a survey of what has been done before?
Currently, a regional vision exists that focuses on the Buffalo Niagara region that was developed in the 1990s. What has resulted is that there is a regional indicator system hosted by the regional institute at UB and developed with the assistance of John Shepard. However, it does not address the city of Buffalo solely. Buffalo data is included in the database.
The city has developed a strategic plan and vision for 2030. Indicator systems have not been included as a part of the project. Concern was expressed about the current planning system that exists is not led by the community.
The process should start qualitatively and then turn quantitative. First it should start with finding out what is important and then giving it a value.
There is a need to audit the community and agencies.
What opportunities exist to hop upon the efforts of the US Census and the American Community Survey?
Who will investigate?
Can the process enhance our effort?
Can we use it to collect data?
How can we work through the infrastructure of the city’s 450 block clubs?
Should work through city hall and through the GNPAs to the block club leaders.
Bill Park was identified as to having credibility with block clubs . He has helped groups develop numbers to empower the citizens to address housing concerns.
Proposed process: Bill ->GNPAs ->block clubs
Should work through the CBOs.
How are we going to gather the data?
How are we going to educate the citizenry about smart growth and sustainability?
How do we audit the indicators to improve the process?
Logic modeling process has been proposed to develop a method to adjust the indicators project.
WHO has a healthy communities framework to organize and present the data that identifies the indicators in a framework that is easily understood. This includes social capital, economic capital, natural capital, and human capital.
To visualize the data, examples can be found at the periodic table of visualization methods.
What are our goals?
To develop a list of 72 indicators like Sustainable Seattle
Is this project contingent upon legislative districts?
Can we use the WNY Environmental Alliance as a way to collect environmental indicators?
Aaron will explore this question (YES!)
What zoning indicators can be tucked under environmental capital?
What indicators exist for economic?
IBA?
How do we gauage the awareness of citizens about indicators, smart growth and sustainability?
When should we publicly announce this effort?
What is a representative number?
Buffalo is a city of 290,000. 10% is seen as being representative and credible.
How might we reach a large enough sample to make this project relevant?
National grid mailings
National Fuel mailings
US Post Office
How do we connect the indicators to something relevant to the lives of the citizenry?
Current assets
Aaron has developed his website to host this project and to become a clearinghouse of information related to the project. The web site is http://creativelysustainable.com. Access to the web site is public and it is encouraged for individuals who desire to sign up and contribute. The web site has been enabled with features to send out newletters and update people automatically via email. Future development to enable the site to be integrated into individual cell phones is being explored.
Available resources for indicators
US Census Data
The American Community Survey
Parcel data
NRIM
Demolition Stats
Issues that might arise when developing indicators
Privacy data
When going through UB, the process is considered to involve human subjects testing. Thus leading to research concerns that link directly to research subject confidentiality. The IRB process can take 3 months if we decide to go through UB to execute the project.
Issues that will arise
Expenses related to staff, paper, time of execution, and other tangible expenses. Aaron is working out a budget.
Resources concerning similar projects
Examples: Whistler Canada
Agency Sponsors: The Natural Step
Federal Agencies that are relevant: LEED, US Green Building Council
Ashland NC project
Potentials of the project
It might develop into a think tank that provides the data and interprets it for the community. The Center for Disease Control provides obesity data for the public and has watched the numbers for 30 years. Its impact can been seen in the media.
Developing timeline
Ajacent projects: Phil has a project that is determining social capital in the city that could be tucked under this project
Oct. 2009 – Patrick pilots a survey
Feb. 15, 2010 – Collect the indicators
March 1, 2010 – State od the city citizen’s report
What should we do next?
Invite city planners to the next meeting
Promote city discussions on sustainability, smart growth, and indicators
Send examples of indicators and resources to Aaron
Meeting summary on Future of Buffalo’s Waterfront held on 08-12-2009
On 08-12-09 a public meeting on the “Future of Buffalo’s Waterfront” was held at Pearl St. Grill and Brewery.
Over 40 people attended.
Several break-out sessions were held on a variety of topics.
The following are Session Notes (in progress) from these sessions:
Break-out 1
Issue: The Nautical Mile
Bill Zimmermann moderated a session group discussing the concept of The Nautical Mile.
In brief, the Nautical Mile takes in the concept of linking the non-profits and profit entities that line the waterfront and riverway in Buffalo. Examples are the USS LIttle Rock, the Great Lakes Maritime Museum, the Cotter Fireboat, the Buffalo Old Stone Lighthouse, the Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse, as well as profit entities such as Swanee House, Pearl Street Brewery, etc.
Highlights are:
- FOCUS: individual entities now vie for public attention based on meager promotional budgets, if any, to reach and entice the public’s attention for their services and open hours of attendance.
- FUTURE: consider that the Nautical Mile stretches actually several miles along the waterfront– a ready made billion dollar infrastructure of entities that can link together for co-promotion, and establish a reputation as a pathway of sites to visit, much like the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
- FUNDING: collaborative fundraising” could be established for a shared promotional budget featuring the assets along the Nautical Mile
- FENCES: The free flow concept of “friction of space” along the Nautical Mile has several areas that hold fences between them (e.g., LaSalle Park is fenced by Waterfront Village, etc) and these could be negotiated for a renovated gateway system of continual access and flow.
- FLOWERS: “flowers without fences” is a concept of patching the areas inbetween waterfront assets with a spray flow of flower parks and pathways, involving the participation and support of the entire community.
The Sea Base at Buffalo’s Nautical Mile was also introduced– a pre-designed first phase project of the Nautical Mile– an arrangement of a sea Base summer camp for Teens to spend a week in Buffalo, residing at The USS Little Rock, and earning certifications in SCUBA, Sailing and other water sports, utilizing electives at the museums, the Flickinger Pool, etc.
Open Discussion:
- Liz Loes spoke about her dream of a continual floral pathway along the waterfront, which she has done her hefty part to begin, specifically a park she soley developed with her own investment and labor, beautifully situated at Exit #2 to the I90 on Niagara Street. She wished to engage others to join her efforts and continue to develop and expand this theme.
- Earl Ketry joined in and agreed to make it a goal of connecting the floral pathway, citing the development he oversaw at Erie Hills and the establishment of the Floral District.
- Rocco Termini is a project partner with Earl Ketry on the Floral District, and cited the need to make a centerpiece location for the Nautical Mile, suggesting the DL&W Complex, and citing its second floor for opportunities in retail and public use. The group chimed in with several points of support for this idea.
- It was agreed that the DL&W complex would be one of the first efforts– to engage public support, engage the UB Architecture School and others in design concepts.
- Allen Hemingway suggested the group Nautical Mile be incorporated and set itself up as an entity seeking to direct its intended efforts.
- Discussion arose concerning consolidation of assets, but the group agreed in concept that a certain focus could consolidate new and old assets in the proposed project concerning the DL&W complex, but also feature a collaboration of assets that are necessarily geographically dispersed along the waterfront.
- Greg Stevens encouraged the group to seek associations with every other waterfront group– from Buffalo Place to each support group that focuses on the waterfront, including Riverkeepers, to which all agreed.
- Stuart Bridge runs www.buffalowaterfront.com and has done so for about 15 years. It was agreed that The Nautical Mile program would find its initial virtual home base on his website, and he would serve as webmaster for the growing process of the project.
- Jill Mendoza introduced herself as newly arriving in Buffalo. She hails from Boulder, Colorado and has moved to Buffalo with her family from Tennessee where she recently held the position as Executive Director for a major development agency– Jill lent her support to this project and its collaborative design.
- Mellissa Daley spoke to the group and offered to lend her support as a graphic artist and design specialist.
- Rocco Termini’s wife offered to seek to engage the Junior League in the group’s efforts.
- It was agreed we should seek a meeting in September gathering all the non-profits and profits who are potential stakeholders in the Nautical Mile.
After the meeting Earl Ketry held an additional meeting extension to discuss with Liz Loes and others present about the ways to link floral pathways.
At the end, Dr. Kumar Bahuleyan asked the group “Now with this discussion, what are we to say we’ve accomplished and what do we do next?” The group answered with comments of what we accomplished:
- We have a clearer picture of our intent and goals, and who the various stakeholders are.
- We’ve established that we’ll make our web-home part of the pre-existing www.buffalowaterfront.com site headed by Stuart Bridge.
- We will plan a meeting for September to invite all the stakeholders along the waterfront who may want to participate in this collaboration called The Nautical Mile
- We’ll investigate various possibilities of focusing efforts on the DL&W complex as the centerpiece feature of the Nautical Mile.
- Earl Ketry and Liz Loes and others will collect a larger focus of possible goals for a floral pathway along the Nautical Miles.
- An outreach will be made to diverse waterfront groups to recognize the existence of the concept and group called the Nautical Mile, and engage their support.
Once the website is established, rather quickly, the support of the CVB and others will be sought and developed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Zimmermann
Executive Director, The MAIN Foundation & Seven Seas Sailing School
Break-out 2
Issue: Public Access
Conveners: Stuart Bridge and Larry Brooks
Participants: Phil Ciallela, Brian Ludwiczak, Tearria Wright, Laura Chestnut, Grace Sheehy, Betsy Rammaccia, Joseph Allen, John Kennedy,
Christine Lee Collins, Amanda L. Kwaczala, Marilyn Gallivan
Summary of Discussion:
What does ‘public access’ mean?
- People walking
- Bicycles – paths and markings
- Automobiles – connection from Southtowns
- Access is confusing.
- Once we get there, we can’t access the water. If you want to touch the water, it’s like you’re breaking some kind of law.
- Worried about Michigan Street bridge being proposed: if it’s put back in it would destroy the marina (RCR Yachts), cutting off access to the slips downstream of the bridge, about 100 slips. Hope that boaters don’t lose what they have so that people can dip their toes in the water.
- No free place to park to walk along the waterfront
- No bathrooms
- Will this waterfront be a destination for tourists? (What would you like to see?) Atlantic City, Chicago, Boston. A nice place for entertainment, street performers, casino, souvenir shops, amusement rides.
- How do we make change? How do we communicate our desires? Go to public meetings. Sign up for ECHDC (Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.) public hearings and tell them what you want.
- Waterfront resident and a kayaker have a problem: new summertime concerts at Erie Canal Park close off access. Possible solutions: better ID system and run it free like Thursday in the Square.
We need focus—the project is too large, too broad for people to get behind.
SESSION NOTES TEMPLATE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT
SESSION NOTES
Please use this template as a guide for taking notes on flipchart paper during your session.
Please note the ‘Participants’ section and remember to capture that information during your session.
All flipchart pages are to be typed and posted at www.invitingbuffalo.com
We invite you to post the SESSION NOTES at www.invitingbuffalo.com
Thank you!
ISSUE:
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CONVENER(S):
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PARTICIPANTS: (please pass this around the circle during your session so that everyone can sign it)
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SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS:
(please be sure your flipchart notes are legible for typing and complete enough for those not attending your session to understand what happened)
Invitation to Indicators Meeting - Final
How do we know as a community that we are progressing toward our shared community vision?
The city of Buffalo has a community vision, yet progress indicators have not been linked to it. This open space meeting is opened to help develop a mutual understanding of what is considered important by members of the community that indicate that we are improving the quality of life for Buffalo citizens.
Questions to be addressed for this open space meeting are:
• What is an effective community driven process to engage different sectors uniting under this vision?
• Who needs to be on a steering committee to make this effort successful?
Questions for further exploration:
What indicators related to the city exist already in:
• The environmental sector?
• The social sector?
• The economic sector?
• The already built sector?
• What is missing?
If you have an impact in the future of the city, please join us for a meeting convened by Aaron Gilbee, City of Buffalo, and the Wellness Institute.
Time: 10:00 am on Saturday, August 22.
Place: Room 235, Chase Hall, Buffalo State College
Map of Location: http://www.buffalostate.edu/tour/index.asp?sectid=chas
The vision can be located in the city’s comprehensive plan at:
http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/files/1_2_1/Mayor/COB_Comprehensive_Plan/chapter_92.html
Please forward this to those you believe will be interested in this. Please invite your friends.
Practice Group gets SUPPLIES!!
Marilyn Gallivan presents Brian Reilly with Tibetan chimes!
Need stuff for your facilitation? Thanks to generous donations from Marilyn Gallivan and Laura Fitzgerald, the Open Space team now has supplies including colored markers, post-its, painter’s tape, sharpies, sign-in sheets, paper, Tibetan chimes, and a rubbermaid case to carry them!
Other items may be loaned from city hall including easels, easel pads, etc.
We have these supplies available for sign-out at the Commissioner’s office 324 city hall.
Anyone else that wishes to supplement these items is welcome to comment to this post and/or drop-off supplies to city hall.
In addition to this, let’s post an itemized list and keep a tally of what we have/what is needed (including poster templates “4 principles, law of 2 feet, etc.”).
Thank you!
Practice Group monthly meeting
Reminder that tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost
These meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Thank you!
An Invitation to Explore & Act on Exciting Opportunities for Downtown Buffalo’s Waterfront
As one of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated inland ports, spanning over two centuries of history, Buffalo is a unique waterfront city full of emerging ideas. This opportunity to reshape our waterfront is a special partnership between the City of Buffalo, local business, and the community. Join us to share, hear about and participate in ideas that are shaping the image of downtown and the waterfront.
- How can we make the waterfront a place for the public to enjoy?
- What does the community want out of our waterfront access?
- How can we build upon the assets already present at the Buffalo Waterfront?
- What ways can we bring commercial activity to the area?
- How can further action be taken to improve the downtown neighborhoods and the connections to the waterfront? To celebrate this unique area?
- Earl Ketry (Pearl St. Grill & Brewery, “Erie Hills Park”)
- Bill Zimmerman (Buffalo’s “Nautical Mile”)
- Queen City Hub Regional Action Plan for Downtown Buffalo
- Stuart Bridge of http://www.buffalowaterfront.com
- City of Buffalo
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 6 to 9 PM at the
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, The Pan American Room, Second Floor
76 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY 14202
If you are interested in becoming active in this Buffalo Waterfront Initiative come join us in a public meeting convened by;
MAYOR THANKS BUSINESS OWNERS FOR DOWNTOWN CLEAN UP EFFORTS
WHEN: 11:30 AM. August 11, 2009
WHERE: 78 Pearl Street
WHO: Mayor Brown
Commissioner Reilly
Earl Ketry of Pearl St. Grill and Brewery
Rocco Termini
Julie Padak
WHAT: Mayor Brown will personally thank Earl Ketry of Pearl St. Grill and Brewery for improving the area surrounding his business in Downtown Buffalo.
With help from the City, Ketry has planted trees, cleaned city property, and installed meters on Seneca Street.
Mr. Ketry’s upcoming waterfront planning meeting (scheduled from 6-9pm on August 12th) will also be discussed.
Meeting Pre/Post-event Planning for August 12
CONFESSIONS OF A LINEAR COMPULSIVE OPEN SPACE PLANNER
I love Open Space. I love its high energy, spirited flow of thoughts and ideas. From the opening circle until several days after the event, my feet don’t touch the ground.
How is it that a person who is teased for their compulsiveness in managing details can let it all go and have a great time? Simple. I meet my need for the linear sequential before entering Open Space by planning as many details as possible in advance. If you, too, need to do some advance planning, I offer the checklist that follows to speed you on your way. Enjoy the trip!
Peggy Holman
425-746-6274
Last Revised: 3/12/98
TASK
DONE?
Pre-event Planning
Pick theme
Determine who to invite, set target number for attendance
Set date
Select space (make sure it’s okay to put tape on the walls!!)
Main Room (adequate space = room capacity/2)
Breakout Rooms (5 per 100 people)
Smoking area
Registration area
Decide what, if anything, to do about measurement
Plan stakeholdering
Send invitation
Logistics
Work with “Space” staff on set-up
Provide an article or book on OST to staff
Circle for main room, flexible breakout room configurations
Get list of breakout room names, maps to rooms
Plan meals (buffet; food that can be out for several hours)
Arrange details with caterer (breakfast, lunch, dinner, breaks)
Arrange for any special food needs
Arrange for computers (about 5 per 100 people)
1 Laser printer
Adequate power, tables for computers
Software for compiling proceedings
Arrange for wireless microphone, plus spare battery
Get supplies
Masking tape (1 roll per breakout room)
Magic markers (x per breakout room, x for main circle)
Flip charts (1 per breakout room, spare chart paper)
Paper for Issues (quarter chart paper; more than # of people)
Post-its (2 packs per breakout room)
Any legal issues?
Any union issues?
Signage required?
Travel Support (hotel rooms, cars, maps)
Name tags and other welcome materials (journal, pen)
Cover for proceedings
Set date for debrief
Arrange for copying proceedings
Arrange for typing participant phone numbers, addresses for proceedings
Day of event set up
Prep sponsor for doing opening and their role
Have sponsor write proceedings cover page sometime during the event
Set up registration table (sign, name tags, pens, list: names, phone #s, addresses)
Set up message area, registration table, signage, computers, microphone
Make time/room matrix, signs (law, principles, surprise, mission control, theme)
Make circle, put supplies in break out rooms, circle
Post Event
Hold debrief
Copy and distribute proceedings
Write thank you’s
Any measurement activities?
Things to Discuss with Someone Considering Sponsoring an Open Space
When to use Open Space
Use it when there is conflict, diversity, confusion and you need answers yesterday.
Do not use it when you know the answer, think you know the answer or have to know the answer.
Discuss other alternatives to Open Space: what have they considered; are the conditions appropriate?
What is the need they want to address?
Choosing the theme and who is invited (the broader the diversity, the greater the potential for innovation) are the most critical elements to consider.
What are the expectations of the session; what outcomes and what will be done with them? Who are the people affected by the theme? Consider any constraints that may have an impact.
Understand that this will “let the genie out of the bottle.” Do not use it if you cannot live with the consequences. Once it starts, it has to run, the sponsor must play by the same rules as everyone else; it is a sacred trust and must be honored or there will be consequences
Notes on the Invitation Contents
Just to be sure that whatever can be turned into a list has been, what follows are topics for the invitation. Include:
something that clarifies that this is an invitation
(there is choice about attending)
the purpose of the session and desired outcome(s)
the host
some information about the approach
(in 25 words or less, what is Open Space?)
times; start and end times for each day
allow for registration period on first day
logistics
location
hotel, meal and transportation information
appropriate dress
how to register
who received the invitation
if numbers limited, then “first come” message
idea that people should come for the whole event (no drop-ins)
how to contact someone for more information
Coaching for the Sponsor on the Types of Things They Might Say When Opening the Session
Thanks for being here
Talk about their commitment to the group: what they personally will do with what comes
out the other side (e.g., will support people in implementing whatever is within their
span of control; will work with them for those things outside). Acknowledge any
constraints (e.g., time, budget).
Talk about their hopes and expectations for the group and what it can become
Talk about who was invited.
Locations List (In progress - other sites may be listed via comments below)
Do you have an Inviting Meeting Space? Would you be willing to host Inviting Buffalo community meetings?
The first need is for Spaces where the Department of Economic Development can host meetings in neighborhoods throughout the city. Downstream, community leaders will want to convene their own follow-ups to those meetings and will need spaces to do that.
Contact Inviting Buffalo to learn more about how you can help support Inviting Meetings to address the issues and opportunities that are most important to your organization and neighborhood.
Current Locations and Address listed. Cost (if any) and Max Capacity of each location will be added.
| Southside Elementary School 430 Southside Parkway South Buffalo, NY 14210 |
Common Council Chambers 65 Niagara Square Buffalo, NY 14202 |
Peral Street Grill & Brewery, Pan American Room 2nd Floor 76 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Layfayette Tap Room 391 Washington Street Buffalo, NY 14203 |
McKinley High School cafeteria 1500 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207 |
Belmont Shelter Corporation 1195 Main St Buffalo, NY 14209 Phone: 716.884.7799 Reservation deadline: 2 weeks before meeting recommended Costs: appx. $200 for security, fees might be waived if meeting aligns with the mission of the organization |
| Matt Urban Center 1081 Broadway Buffalo, NY 14212 |
Torn Space Theater 612 Fillmore Ave Buffalo, NY 14212 |
Practice Group Breakout Session - How can we breathe new life into the downtown strip of Main Street? How can citizens assist government with bringing new businesses to and creating jobs in Buffalo?
The following are the rough, working notes from one of the breakoutsessions convened at the Open Space Practice Group meeting, May 2009. See also the invitation.
Issue(s): How can we breathe new life into the downtown strip of Main Street? How can citizens assist government with bringing new businesses to and creating jobs in Buffalo?
Convener(s): Laura F. and Richard C.
Participants: Marilyn, Brian, Tremeeka and Erika
Summary of Discussion:
Create more mixed income housing downtown
Bring in more events downtown – There are many events but people do not know about them. There is a need for a consolidated event calendar
Streaming event guide for Buffalo on YNN or Channel 22 or website (i.e. TV Guide )
More events for the whole family
Emphasis on security
Government encouragement/support of events by agencies & businesses
PARKING
- Lower costs
- Free for events
- Free for government meetings (i.e. Common Council)
- 1 or 2 free parking passes promotion
- MAP for parking places and prices
Form a citizen group to liaison between government, business and public
-
- Citizen United for a Better Economy Dowtown (CUBED)
- Buffalo Helping the Economy Recover Downtown (HERD)
a. Facilitate and support OST meetings ongoing
b. Hold networking events
c. Gather all interested parties
d. Start the conversation
e. Create a Facebook/Myspace page
f. Get co-convener – Buffalo Rising?
i. Invitations:
-
Media – YNN, Buffalo News, Artvoice, local magazines
-
Buffalo Place
-
Erie Canal Harborfront Development Corporation
-
Politicians
-
NFTA
-
Local Business Owners
-
Downtown residents
-
Downtown employees
-
Local non-profits
-
Students- particularly downtown students
ii. Hand out invitation flyers at events (i.e. Thursday in the Square, Bison games, Rock the Harbor)
iii. Events at Lafayette Tap Room/Hotel – on a Tuesday at 6pm – food/entertainment provided
Practice Group monthly meeting
Reminder that tomorrow night, Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 6 PM, the next monthly Practice Group meeting will be held at the Lafayette Tap Room (in the Meeting Room).
Address: 391 Washington Street
Free Parking/Food available at your cost
These meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
We have been invited to share Open Space Technology at the First Annual Citizen Empowerment Conference on August 1 at 1 PM. For more information see:
and
http://www.buffalorising.com/2009/07/first-annual-citizen-empowerment-conference.html
Scajaquada Creek meeting summary
The meeting called by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper to bring together people concerned with and working on Scajaquada Creek went off successfully July 15. Over 60 people attended. Kevin Hayes facilitated, with great support from Larry Brooks (from the event sponsor, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper), David Granville, Yuri Hreshchyshyn and Laura Fitzgerald (who videotaped the event).
Here’s a link to photos of the event. . We’ll be posting images of the breakout session notes later this week.
Anyone who attended the session and would like to know more about Open Space or would like us to facilitate a meeting, just make a comment on this post (comment link at top) and we’ll talk it over with you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnriverkeeper/sets/72157621596249230/
(Link to album of the notes)