HSBC Arena

[Eleven]

So yesterday morning I couldn't resist visiting letsgokings.com to see what they had to say. What I saw was somewhat upsetting...

 

A Kings fan from Milton, Ont. (apparently there is such a person) complained that there was nothing around the hisbitch (my pronounciation of "HSBC"), other than "run-down buildings."

 

We all know what's around the Arena. There are a few great places within two or three blocks, and then Chippewa a few more blocks away. Should the team/Arena be doing more to point our guests to after-game spots? While I understand that the team might not want to promote businesses that don't advertise during games, I also figure that one of the reasons we pay for the building is to promote tourism & local businesses, which won't happen with newcomers unless someone tells them where to go.

 

I'm more than a little miffed that an away fan left with the impression that there's nothing near the Arena, when there is plenty. I did invite him (and if there are other Kings fans nearby) to check in on this board or the Bills board next time to get pre/post game suggestions. But ultimately, the impression is not his fault.

[mis3384]

dont worry...soon to come the new Casino...right behind HSBC and next to the train station...so no more run-down city...lots to come in years to come...cant wait

[Saber61]

well im from burlington ontario and after the game me and my g/f want nothing more then to go home... im not sure why... its not that buffalo is run down or anything... we just don't bring alot of money to begin with and we want to try to beat traffic... and besides... by the time we get home its around 12:00am if we leave right after the game. If its a weekday game and we have school or work the next morning then we can't really stick around. i think alot of fans have that same type of thing going if its a weekday game.

[LabattBlue]

We all know what's around the Arena.  There are a few great places within two or three blocks, and then Chippewa a few more blocks away.

What "great" places are within two or three blocks? All I know of is parking lots, the HSBC Bank Atrium, the Aud & the Buffalo News. If you are referring to the one bar that is housed behind the Arena in one of the old buildings, most people would never even know it's there(for all I know, it may not even be open any more). Pearl St. Brewery? A lot more than 3 blocks especially on a cold winter night.

 

I'm sure this fan was looking for establishments within walking distance.

 

Hopefully some restaurants/bars will open when the Casino & Bass Pro open and the inner harbor project is completed.

[Eleven]

What "great" places are within two or three blocks? All I know of is parking lots, the HSBC Bank Atrium, the Aud & the Buffalo News. If you are referring to the one bar that is housed behind the Arena in one of the old buildings, most people would never even know it's there(for all I know, it may not even be open any more). Pearl St. Brewery? A lot more than 3 blocks especially on a cold winter night.

 

I'm sure this fan was looking for establishments within walking distance.

 

Hopefully some restaurants/bars will open when the Casino & Bass Pro open and the inner harbor project is completed.

City Grill, Pearl Street Grill, Cobblestone, Irish Times, and for those who like to truly dive, Washington Square Pub, are all within a short walk. Right, most people wouldn't know Cobblestone is there, which was my point.

 

Plenty of people park outside of City Grill and Pearl Street during games, so they can't be so far away.

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on the casino. It'll be years before that is out of the courts.

[mrjsbu96]

City Grill, Pearl Street Grill, Cobblestone, Irish Times, and for those who like to truly dive, Washington Square Pub, are all within a short walk. Right, most people wouldn't know Cobblestone is there, which was my point.

 

Plenty of people park outside of City Grill and Pearl Street during games, so they can't be so far away.

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on the casino. It'll be years before that is out of the courts.

11 - I agree with your original post 100%, but those places are just not "right" next to HSBC. Which is why imo Buffalo is such an insider town. I agree, all of those places are indeed great places, but unless you know someone you will never find them. And I wouldn't exactly as an outsider feels the most comfortable walking around some of that area at that time of night b/c it is so dark and there most closed-down buildings and parking lots in the immediate vicinity.

 

Buffalo Tourism Bureau should be doing something like handing out one-page maps, etc of the area...

[LabattBlue]

I know it's a moot point, but this is the reason why the arena should have been built by Goldome. There are hotels, restaurants, bars and plenty of parking in that area. Instead they chose to build it at the foot of Main St. where it was(and still is) surrounded by.....

 

 

NOTHING. :(

[Eleven]

I like the idea of the one-page maps.

 

Labatt, was there discussion about building the arena elsewhere when it was first conceived? I wasn't in the area at the time. Agreed that the powers-that-be put it in the wrong spot.

[PASabreFan]

They sold the arena to the taxpayers by saying it would spur development in the immediate area.

 

As far as the area around the arena, unfortunately perception is reality. I'm an "outsider" but one who knows about the wonderful architecture, the great university, the friendly people in Buffalo, etc. To me, the old grain mills and other "rundown" structures just represent the industrial heritage of Buffalo. The area around the arena definitely does not present the best face of Buffalo. It's not an area that is conducive to visitors walking around, eating, shopping and the like. Yes, Buffalo does need to do a better job of promoting what is relatively close by. Heck, put a little map right on the back of the ticket stub. And, for the love of God, develop that waterfront! Quit talking and do it.

[LabattBlue]

I like the idea of the one-page maps.

 

Labatt, was there discussion about building the arena elsewhere when it was first conceived? I wasn't in the area at the time. Agreed that the powers-that-be put it in the wrong spot.

I can't remember the exact timeline, but at one time they were talking about putting the arena behind Goldome. I believe it was prior to committing to the current location. I can't think of all the streets, but one corner of the arena would have been Genesee & Washington. Most of the location is where there are surface lots currently, but obviously would have alos crossed Elicott St.

[MLH]

Is anyone familiar with the "closed-down buildings"? Do they have sound structures / are they fixable? An entrepreneur could make a pretty penny by opening a nice bar/restaurant right next to the arena, especially if the waterfront develops like many expect it to.

[LabattBlue]

Is anyone familiar with the "closed-down buildings"? Do they have sound structures / are they fixable? An entrepreneur could make a pretty penny by opening a nice bar/restaurant right next to the arena, especially if the waterfront develops like many expect it to.

I know I'm repeating myself but...

 

Living in Buffalo my whole life it hard to be optimistic, but if Bass Pro comes to fruition, the casino is built and the inner harbor is developed as has been designed, I think you will see a number of bars/restaurants open up within walking distance of the arena.

[PTS]

How come you people don't appreciate the new waterfront park which overlooks the new signature Peace Bridge? Plus you got the nice Adelphia complex tower next to the casino and new subway station. I just don't understand it!

 

Oh wait, all that crap was just broken promises.

[LabattBlue]

How come you people don't appreciate the new waterfront park which overlooks the new signature Peace Bridge? Plus you got the nice Adelphia complex tower next to the casino and new subway station. I just don't understand it!

 

Oh wait, all that crap was just broken promises.

Somewhere along the line we were going to get a new convention center too! ;)

[PTS]

Buffalo should look at what Columbus did with their Nationwide District. I was there this summer for the USA vs. Mexico world cup qualifier. The Nationwide Arena where the Blue Jackets play is in a "cobblestone" type district which looks beautiful. They have bars and restaurants right outside the arena.

 

Who would have thought putting bars and restaurants outside a place where thousands of people flock to would be a good idea? Instead, Buffalo puts their entertainment district five miles away.

[Taro T]

How come you people don't appreciate the new waterfront park which overlooks the new signature Peace Bridge? Plus you got the nice Adelphia complex tower next to the casino and new subway station. I just don't understand it!

 

Oh wait, all that crap was just broken promises.

Don't lump the Peace Bridge in with the other ones. Back in the early '90's the Canadian and US govts. had agreed to a 2nd span and agreed to fund it. The local pinheads then cried for a "signature" bridge and the original plans got scuttled. Now 10+ years later they are still arguing over what to do as more and more traffic routes elsewhere.

 

That is one of the most brutal things about the "leadership" in WNY. You either get too many cooks with no ability to actually start cooking (Peace Bridge) or a REALLY BAD IDEA supported by 1 powerful person and it gets rammed down everyone's throats with nowhere near enough planning (Fast Ferry).

[LabattBlue]

Buffalo should look at what Columbus did with their Nationwide District. I was there this summer for the USA vs. Mexico world cup qualifier. The Nationwide Arena where the Blue Jackets play is in a "cobblestone" type district which looks beautiful. They have bars and restaurants right outside the arena.

 

Who would have thought putting bars and restaurants outside a place where thousands of people flock to would be a good idea? Instead, Buffalo puts their entertainment district five miles away.

It's the other way around. The powers that be, chose to build an Arena in an area where there were no existing hotels, businesses or restaurants.

[PASabreFan]

PTS is already bitter and jaded at 25! I love it.

[hopeleslyobvious]

How come you people don't appreciate the new waterfront park which overlooks the new signature Peace Bridge? Plus you got the nice Adelphia complex tower next to the casino and new subway station. I just don't understand it!

 

Oh wait, all that crap was just broken promises.

A new station for the train to nowhere?

 

I went to undergrad at Canisius, lived on campus, and the subway was still a pain...Round trip subway for 2 people costs as much as parking, and when you drive to the game, you don't get packed in like cattle coming home. Of course the upside to it was that you pretty much get dropped off right at the door.

[PromoTheRobot]

Genesee & Chipawa was also considered for a new arena site. Imagine having HSBC on Chippawa Street!! Add this to the long dreary list of bad decisions that make Buffalo what it is today.

 

PTR

[PASabreFan]

Buffalo takes another jab:

 

From a Vancouver paper:

 

In fact, the Sabres are playing so well that the beautiful 18,690-seat HSBC Arena in blighted downtown Buffalo is even selling out again.

 

Link: http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey...17-b2cd9cb7194f

 

My all-time favorite slam on Buffalo came from a Toronto writer, who noted how cold it is in Buffalo. He's from Toronto! That's really the hinterland up there. I emailed him with some stats about how Toronto is colder than Buffalo. No reply. Must not have been able to type with his gloves on.

[fushetti]

This has been a long standing debate. I never understood why the Sabres and say the Adams Mark or some other downtown hotel never had packages to stay a night and get 2 tickets to a game. I know Pearl Street Grill has dinner and tickets packages to Sabres and Bandits games. (or did anyway). But, the Sabres are a changed organization and I believe are committed in some way to developing the area around the Arena. (Quinn is working to redo the waterfront....yes, i know, its been proposed a million times).

 

The biggest problem with downtown Buffalo is that NOBODY LIVES THERE. There is little to no housing downtown. Personally, I am happy with the location of the HSBC Arena. Its an area screaming for redevelopment and if they ever develop the Aud and add some housing nearby to the HSBC, the area will come back. Some of those older buildings on Illinois Street across from the parking ramp look as if they can be converted to lofts and or bars and restaurants. I never feel unsafe down in that area of the city...but as someone said earlier, Buffalo is an insider city. I've been going to games since 1987... so i'm very familiar.

[deluca67]

This has been a long standing debate. I never understood why the Sabres and say the Adams Mark or some other downtown hotel never had packages to stay a night and get 2 tickets to a game. I know Pearl Street Grill has dinner and tickets packages to Sabres and Bandits games. (or did anyway). But, the Sabres are a changed organization and I believe are committed in some way to developing the area around the Arena. (Quinn is working to redo the waterfront....yes, i know, its been proposed a million times).

 

The biggest problem with downtown Buffalo is that NOBODY LIVES THERE. There is little to no housing downtown. Personally, I am happy with the location of the HSBC Arena. Its an area screaming for redevelopment and if they ever develop the Aud and add some housing nearby to the HSBC, the area will come back. Some of those older buildings on Illinois Street across from the parking ramp look as if they can be converted to lofts and or bars and restaurants. I never feel unsafe down in that area of the city...but as someone said earlier, Buffalo is an insider city. I've been going to games since 1987... so i'm very familiar.

Things are changing my friend.

 

People are starting to move to and live downtown. Many of those run down buildings are being converted to office space and apartments.

 

I know people want everthing right now. Give it time. Rebirth is a slow painful process. You can park, see the game and jump on that useless train and hit many hot spots or restaurants. Or take the short drive down Elmwood and hit the Allentown bars. Or further down there are great places like 'Toro' which has the best calamari I've ever tasted. Go there and order a pitcher of real Sangria to wash it down.

[Tarrytown]

I live in NYC now and make it back to the 'Flo about 4-6 times a year. While the area around the Arena screams for redevelopment - they are working on it...never fast enough for me...too many parking lots - and most of the busuinesses etc. are not that close of a walk.

 

If you look some areas away from downtown - Elmwood/Chippewa things have really turned around...there are something like 40 new businesses in the Elmwood area alone recently.

 

I think that there is only one "loft" type option in the arena area...I can only hope that the Erie Canal Harbor Project and associated development stays on track...

 

http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=34259

 

And btw has anyone been to Toronto lately? I went up last summer and was totally amazed to seet that almost nothing has changed since I was last there in say 1990...it's always been a nice city in my mind - had a lot of positive impressions as a kid...but it's not like NY - the neighborhoods have not changed...the city is dirty and honestly was not impressed at all. Vancouver is might nicer city as Canadian cities goes.

[fushetti]

Things are changing my friend.

 

People are starting to move to and live downtown. Many of those run down buildings are being converted to office space and apartments.

 

I know people want everthing right now. Give it time. Rebirth is a slow painful process. You can park, see the game and jump on that useless train and hit many hot spots or restaurants. Or take the short drive down Elmwood and hit the Allentown bars. Or further down there are great places like 'Toro' which has the best calamari I've ever tasted. Go there and order a pitcher of real Sangria to wash it down.

I know things are changing... I was just explaining that the problem with Buffalo was the lack of residents in and around the downtown area. One or two loft projects have to multiply to create a demand for other vibrant downtown development.