U.S. Senators
Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Senate
Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee has approved the FY10
Appropriations Bill which includes $200,000 for the Richardson Olmstead Complex
(ROC) in Buffalo. The funding will be used to begin the first phase of grounds
rehabilitation to develop the area as a landscape that is open to the public
that includes a park and walking paths. Schumer and Gillibrand worked closely
with members of the Appropriations Subcommittee to include funding for the
project in this year’s spending bill.
“This is great
news for Buffalo, which is blessed with rich architectural heritage and
glorious parks, thanks in no small part to the men commemorated in this
facility — HH Richardson and Frederick Law Olmstead,” said Schumer. “The
Richardson Olmstead Complex will be a new jewel for Buffalo and this
funding will help stabilize and rehabilitate the buildings to make them
developer-ready, creating jobs and generating economic development in the area.
The funds will also carry on Buffalo’s tradition for maintaining cultural and
historical architecture.”
“This is a great step forward in the preservation and
redevelopment of this historical landmark,” Senator Gillibrand said.
“Rehabilitation of this complex will bring much needed jobs to the
region, be an integral part of Buffalo’s economic development, and open this
unique structure to the public to utilize and enjoy. This is another feather in
the cap for a city that is known for its unique architecture and cultural
tourism.”
The Richardson Center Corporation is rehabilitating the
National Historic Landmark Richardson Olmsted Complex. Appropriation
funding will be utilized for preparation of the buildings and grounds for
a regional Architecture Center, City of Buffalo Visitor Center, and boutique
hotel, including building stabilization and preparation for a developer, and a
rehabilitated landscape.
The first phase of rehabilitation will rehabilitate the grounds
south of the towers administration building, reinstate a loop entrance off of
Forest Avenue that echoes the historic entry alignment, rehabilitate the
grounds immediately north of the historic buildings and create pedestrian
pathways. The rehabilitation of this landscape is a vital component of the
Richardson Olmsted Complex reuse planning. The grounds will be developed
as a landscape that is open to the public, including a park-like space and
walking paths.
Changes to the landscape will respect the Olmsted
characteristics and be incorporated in a manner sensitive to the historic
character of the site; and integrate parking for new and existing uses.
The historic intent of a unified therapeutic landscape for residents of the
site and the neighborhood will be returned.
Now that the
bill has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, it will be
sent to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. Following approval by the
Full Committee and the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the
House and then to the President for signature.