By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Plans to bring a significant cultural experience to Canal Side should be clearer in the coming weeks after a high-level gathering of nonprofit leaders takes place.

Members of Canal Side's Cultural Steering Committee will meet Oct. 12 with representatives of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and its Toronto-based consulting firm, Lord Cultural Resources, to begin the framework for what could evolve as a cultural mall at Canal Side. That could include presenting an interactive "Story of Buffalo" exhibit that would pay homage to the region's past.

The cultural aspect, always part of the master plan, has taken on a sense of urgency. Planners are reshaping various elements of the proposed downtown destination and are playing off a decision this summer by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to name the Ira G. Ross Aerospace Museum as designated developer of the upper floor of the DLW Terminal. Located behind HSBC Arena, the century-old terminal's second floor has nearly 140,000 square feet of enclosed and outdoor space. It offers panoramic views of the Buffalo River, Outer Harbor and Lake Erie.

Culturals could play a significant role in creating a locally based anchor for the 1.1 million-square-foot Canal Side. The project is expected to feature retailers, restaurants and entertainment plus replica Erie Canal waterways and public space.

"People not only want to go to the water's edge," said Brendan Mehaffy, director of the Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning, "they want something to do there."

A public input report compiled by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Mehaffy - the mayor's economic development point man - listed culturals among the top items that area residents want there.

"Clearly, museum space is something people want to see," Brown said.

The cultural committee is chaired by Buffalo civic leader Peter Dow with input from the leaders of area cultural organizations. They include Donna Fernandes, Buffalo Zoo president; Bridget Quinn-Carey, executive director, Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries; Cindy Abbott Letro, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra chairperson; and Catherine Schweitzer, Baird Foundation executive director.

"What's refreshing is that the cultural plan is being included from the beginning and not being tacked on at the end," said Schweitzer. "I think it is very positive that people are recognizing that cultural tourism is one of the cornerstones that we can build on in Canal Side and the county."

Fernandes, meanwhile, said she hopes a detailed game plan will be developed that includes the size, cost and location of the "Story of Buffalo" and any other cultural mall. Finances ultimately will determine the size and scope of the effort, she said.

"It can't be too many things to appease too many people," Fernandes said. "This has to be self-sustaining and not a (financial) burden on the community."

Tom Dee, president of Erie Canal Harbor Development, said a cluster of cultural entities will be a real highlight. But while he favors a strong cultural presence in the Canal Side footprint, he doesn't advocate asking groups to move from their present location.

"Personally, I'd like to see the cultural experience spread among several buildings," Dee said. "It will probably be more effective if they are spread among several buildings."

That includes some outdoor, year-round exhibits, he said, adding, "Wouldn't that be cool, no pun intended, to have a lot of outside exhibits?"