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

A triumvirate of local halls of fame are pitching developers on the notion of building a "mall of museums" at the Canal Side development.

The Buffalo Cultural Coalition said it could help anchor the downtown project by attracting thousands of visitors a year while playing off other Canal Side elements.

The plan illustrates growing interest in Canal Side by cultural and nonprofit groups. Others call for moving the Ira G. Ross Aerospace Museum to the upper floor of the DLW Terminal, creating a national weather museum at Canal Side or shifting the Buffalo Maritime Museum there.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., working with consultant Lord Cultural Resources of Toronto, is weighing all the options. A preliminary report on a potentially increased cultural presence in the Canal Side footprint is due in a few weeks. The agency said it wants to create a "Story of Buffalo" that will flow through Canal Side at various locations, giving visitors a taste of the region's rich history.

"We've talked to everyone and listened to everybody," said Steve Ranalli, senior project manager for Erie Canal Harbor Development. "We want to use the culturals in different ways to activate the site."

The Buffalo Cultural Coalition said it fits perfectly into the "Story of Buffalo."

"Our goal is to build something that will be a year-round destination," President David Gillen said.

The coalition envisions a 50,000-square-foot building that would house the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Broadcasters Association's collection of memorabilia, including TV news telecasts dating to the early 1960s. The complex would include a small theater, gift shop and restaurant.

Gillen and coalition secretary Steve Kantor said the museum could serve as an anchor for Canal Side.

A business plan that would cover the museum's development and operating costs is being tweaked, Gillen added.

The key is getting the harbor development agency to agree to allocate space in the development for the museum, Kantor said, adding, "If we have the space down there, we could raise the money."

He said the coalition is committed to working something out with the agency.

"We are going to push to get this done," Kantor said. "This isn't going to be something that needs 15 years worth of studies."

Ranalli of Erie Canal Harbor Development said he has met several times with the Buffalo Cultural Coalition, but it's too early to start committing to any one group. He is pleased, however, with the growing interest of local cultural groups.

Canal Side is a 20-acre development along the lower portion of Main Street between Lower Terrace Street south to HSBC Arena. It's expected to be home to more than 1 million square feet of retail and entertainment space, restaurants, hotels and offices.

Bass Pro Shops was expected to serve as anchor for the development, but the retailer dropped its plan for the Buffalo store this summer.

"As much as Canal Side was originally predicated on Bass Pro, we are hearing from more (cultural) groups that they want to step up and fill that void," Ranalli said. "In that regard, the strong interest really does validate the whole mixed-use concept we envision for Canal Side."