This page was created by the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier and the Preservation Coalition of Erie County as a public service

DRAFT - Hot Button Issues: Peace Bridge Plaza Expansion
December 2007 

Landmark Society Position:
The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier's position on the Peace Bridge Expansion is that transportation needs and signature bridge design are important, but they must be balanced with environmental quality of life needs and protection of the historically significant structures in the adjoining neighborhood of the Peace Bridge.

Preservation Coalition Position:

The Preservation Coalition of Erie County's position on the Peace Bridge Expansion is that it opposes the Peace Bridge preferred Alternative 1B-R-3 and
support s the efforts of Peace Bridge neighbors and the New Millenium Group to protect the neighborhood.

Background:

• The Peace Bridge was named to commemorate 100 years of peace between the U.S. and Canada and opened on June 1, 1927 following two years of construction. At that time, it made Buffalo the chief port of entry to Canada and the only vehicular bridge on the Great Lakes from Niagara Falls to Minnesota. The truss and arch designed bridge is 5,800 feet long and traversed by 4,000 trucks daily. It connects Buffalo with Fort Erie, Ontario and on each side of the border there are plazas where vehicles are inspected by customs officials and tolls are taken.
  
  
• The American Plaza was originally built on the site of Fort Porter, an army post situated north of Front Park. Following World War II, traffic flow increased necessitating expansion of the American Plaza onto land within Front Park. After the implementation of NAFTA in 1994, truck traffic between the U.S. and Canada increased dramatically again, placing a greater burden on the existing American Plaza.
  
  
• The Canadian Plaza has been continuously expanded since World War II.
  
  
• The Peace Bridge is maintained by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority.

Issues:

• As preservationists, we are concerned about the proposed expansion of the plaza on the U.S. side to accommodate increasing truck traffic.
  
  
• Expansion will translate into the demolition of over 100 homes in one of Buffalo's most historic and viable neighborhoods.
  
  
• A proposal for shared border management would assume the need for a much smaller American Plaza. It would allow U.S. customs agents to inspect U.S.-bound trucks on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. This would put idling trucks on the Canadian, sparsely populated section of Ft. Erie - with pollution from vehicles dissipating before reaching the U.S. residential section.
  
  
• Because the Canadian Plaza has been continuously expanded since World War II, it can accommodate shared border management. In addition, the Canadians are open to this proposal because it replicates a similar situation now in place over the St. Lawrence River, and would make this a reciprocal arrangement (allowing the U.S. inspections to take place on the Canadian side as the Canadian inspections now take place on the U.S. side of the St. Lawrence).

Conclusion:
 In 2007, following 2.5 years of joint discussion and planning between Canadian and U.S. officials as well as bi-national citizen input, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff apparently decided against shared border management. [There is some question on how "official" his comment was.] His apparent decision supports only one possible future development, namely the expansion of the American Plaza, with ramifications which include the following:
 

• Demolition of over 100 homes in Buffalo's only remaining historic waterfront area, a still viable and highly functioning neighborhood.
  
  
• The use of eminent domain to force unwilling homeowners to sell their homes.
  
  
• Health and quality of life issues that include air, noise, and light pollution. An expanded plaza that will adversely impact the remaining homes surrounding the demolition site.
  
  
• Minimal economic benefit to the Buffalo Niagara Region as increased truck traffic will use Buffalo largely as a corridor to other cities and regions.

What Can I Do?

• Stay informed! Keep in contact with the Landmark Society and the Preservation Coalition about recent actions, through the websites and as a member, get on the mailing list for all newsletters, tour information, preservation alerts.
  
  
• This disastrous decision can still be reversed through citizen involvement. It is urgent that you contact your elected officials: 
  • The Honorable Elliot Spitzer
  • Congressman Brian Higgins
  • Senator Hillary Clinton,
  • Senator Charles Schumer
  • Other NYS officials
  • Erie County Executive (http://cereception@erie.gov)
  • County Legislators (http://www.erie.gov/legislature/legislators.asp)
  • Buffalo Common Council Alan E. Taylor, State Department of Transportation Region 5, 100 Seneca St., Buffalo, NY 14203 - OR Amy Jackson,- Grove, Federal Highway Administration, Leo W. OpBrien Federal Building, Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207.

an I Useful links:

• Front Park
• NAFTA: and NAFTA
• The Peace Bridge News, 2007-04-27 -- Shared Border Management and
• January 26, 2007 - Rep. Slaughter Visits Peace Bridge, Announces Upcoming Visit of DHS Secretary
• Eminent Domain: