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Working with Section 106 ACHP
Case Digest Spring
2004 New York: Construction of
a Federal Courthouse, Buffalo
New
York: Construction of a Federal Courthouse, Buffalo
Agency: General Services
Administration
Controversy
surrounds the construction of a new Federal courthouse in the Niagara
Square area of Buffalo, New York, where concerned citizens were
not involved in the proposed project to the extent they should have
been under the requirements of the Section 106 review process.
The General
Services Administration has planned the courthouse as a contemporary
structure. Some community members have embraced the courthouses
contemporary design, while others feel that it is out of context
with the locations historic nature. In addition, the public
and the State were not given adequate opportunity to weigh in on
the buildings design and location, nor the possible demolition
of the historic properties.
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The General Services Administration (GSA) plans to construct a new Federal
courthouse in Buffalo, New York, to address future space needs for the
U.S. Courts and related agencies. The new building will also provide space
for court agencies that are currently leasing space elsewhere in the city.
![Rendering of the proposed Buffalo Courthouse](buffalocourthouse.jpg)
A rendering of the proposed courthouse (center)
in Buffalo, New York. On the left is the 1931 Buffalo City Hall; on the
right is the 1923 Statler Hotel. (drawing courtesy of KPF Architects)
The project would be located within the Buffalo central business district,
and two structures that are eligible for the National Register of Historic
Placesthe 1920 Erlanger Building, and the 1850 Balcom-Chandler Housemay
be demolished under the courthouse construction plan.
In addition, the new courthouse would be next to the 1931 Buffalo City
Hall, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and
the 1923 Statler Hotel, which is eligible for the National Register. The
courthouse would be constructed within the boundaries of the Joseph Ellicott
Historic District, a Designated Local Preservation District and eligible
for the National Register.
The community appears to be split between those who want to see the contemporary
structure in downtown Buffalo and those who feel that the design is out
of context with the historic district. Unfortunately, GSAs regional
office involved the public, the ACHP, and the New York State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO) late in the buildings site selection
and design stage, and the design review process has basically been closed
to the general public.
Under the Section 106 review process, the ACHP, GSA, SHPO, City of Buffalo,
and courthouse architect met in March 2004 to discuss a draft Memorandum
of Agreement on the project. The ACHP says that the buildings entrance
pavilion must be more compatible with the historic district.
Under the agreement, GSA and the SHPO would lead a public education program
on the social and architectural history of the Joseph Ellicott Historic
District. The structures that are currently on the site would be sold
to the public or else documented before being demolished. GSA would train
its regional staff to initiate Section 106 consultation earlyand
thus avoid a repeat of the Buffalo situation. Finally, the SHPO and the
ACHP would be allowed to review and comment on the final designs.
The ACHP is currently reviewing the final draft of the agreement.
Staff contact: Hector
Abreu Cintron
Updated
June 1, 2004
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