Previous Public Meetings

Public Meeting Presentation, 8-10-10 - The Richardson Center Corporation held the seventh public meeting on August 10, 2010.  Updates were provided on the Richardson Olmsted Complex stabilization, landscape improvements, preparations for a developer, programming for the Buffalo Architecture Center, ownership and site security. 

Public Scoping Meeting Presentation, 12-17-09 - At this meeting, the RCC highlighted key components of the draft Master Plan and provided a brief overview of the environmental review process.  Richardson Center Corporation (RCC) is assessing the potential environmental effects through preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS).  The Public Scoping process is an opportunity to obtain comments on the proposed scope of analyses for the Draft GEIS, which is outlined in the Draft Scoping Report.  Comments on the following issues are welcome: Have we correctly identified the potential adverse impacts to be studied? Have we identified an appropriate way to study them? Do you have any information to assist in the analysis?  Public comments will be accepted through January 15, 2010.

The report may be downloaded (below) or viewed at the Central and Crane branches of the public library.

Richardson Olmsted Complex Draft Scoping Report for the Generic Environmental Impact Statement, December, 2009

Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Intent to Prepare a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

Full Environmental Assessment Form

Public Meeting Presentation, 7-14-09 - The last in a series of public meetings took place on July 14, 2009 to unveil the Richardson Olmsted Complex Master Plan.  The Master Plan assesses the Richardson Olmsted Complex buildings and site, adjacent neighborhoods and - together with an inclusive public process – creates a plan for near and long term development of the historic buildings and grounds.  Chan Krieger Sieniewicz and the planning team presented the plans to transition the Richardson Center Corporation's work from planning to implementation.  A mixed use campus will start with a core set of integrated uses - Architecture Center, regional Visitor Center, boutique hotel and event/conference space – in the iconic towers administration building and two flanking former wards.  The Architecture Center will focus on interactive exhibits and programming to showcase the architecture and landscape of the region and the site, including the history of mental health care.  The Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is moving forward on plans for a Visitor Center at the complex.  Priority activities will direct limited resources to achieve the broadest impact in the near term and be a catalyst for future investment.  Stabilization of the buildings and grounds will continue to prevent further deterioration and prepare for future development.  Rehabilitation of the South Lawn between the historic buildings and Forest Avenue will recapture the space for gathering and recreation, relocate parking, construct paths and reinstate the once pervasive tree canopy.  The back (or north side) of the towers administration building will become the main entry for tours and visitors with a new northern entry via an east-west road, preserving the bucolic character of the South Lawn and allowing for a greater intensity of use and access to the complex from the north without diminishing the importance of the historic south entrance.  Learn more about the public meeting by reviewing the minutes.

Public Meeting Presentation, 1-27-09 - The Richardson Center Corporation (RCC) held a public meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.  The  RCC provided updates on the project - rehabilitating and stabilizing the H.H. Richardson buildings, creating an Architecture and Visitor Center and reviving the Olmsted landscape. Preliminary master planning schemes for the historic buildings and grounds were presented by Chan Krieger Sieniewicz and Reed Hilderbrand and an exhibit program for the Architecture and Visitor Center was presented by Ralph Appelbaum Associates.  The community had a chance for comment and discussion, informing the Master Plan and Architecture and Visitor Center process. Learn more about the public meeting by reviewing the minutes.

Public Meeting Presentation, 8-12-08 - The fourth public meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 focused on planning and stabilization updates and an interactive community visioning session.  The community in attendance had a chance to weigh in on ideas presented by the Master Plan team; the results can be viewed in the presentation.   Goody Clancy and Heritage Landscapes discussed the Historic Structures Report and Cultural Landscape Report recommendations.  The Richardson Center Corporation announced that Ralph Appelbaum Associates and ConsultEcon have been hired to develop a Concept Study and analyze market and economic conditions for the Architecture and Visitor Center.  Learn more about the public meeting by reviewing the minutes.
 
Public Meeting Presentation, 4-16-08 - At a public meeting  on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 the Richardson Center Corporation presented the “50%” findings from the Historic Structures and Cultural Landscape Reports on the Richardson Olmsted Complex buildings and grounds. Progress on stabilization work as well as first steps on master planning for the complex as a whole – buildings and grounds – and on the Buffalo Richardson Architecture Center were discussed.  Learn more about the public meeting by reviewing the minutes. 
 
Public Meeting Presentation, 11-27-07  - The Richardson Center Corporation held a public meeting on Tuesday, November 27, 2007.   The Richardson Center Corporation presented updates and next steps, including details on stabilization efforts.  Architects Goody Clancy and engineers Simpson Gumpertz and Heger presented findings on the Historic Structures Report that will serve as a guide for changes made to this historic property.