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Working with Section 106 ACHP
Case Digest Winter
2005 New York: Construction of
a Federal Courthouse, Buffalo
New York: Construction of a Federal Courthouse, Buffalo
Agency: General Services Administration
| As
reported in the spring 2004 Case Digest,
controversy surrounds the construction of a new Federal courthouse
in the Niagara Square area of Buffalo, New York.
The General Services Administration has planned the courthouse as a contemporary structure. Some community members have embraced the courthouse’s modern design, while others feel that it is out of context with the location’s historic nature. |
|
|
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)In June 2004, the ACHP, the General Services Administration (GSA), the New York State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the City of Buffalo, and the courthouse architect signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the project.
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.
In addition, GSA would train its regional staff to initiate Section 106
consultation early—and 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.
In December 2004, GSA submitted to the ACHP and the SHPO preliminary designs
for the new courthouse, with modifications to the entry pavilion as negotiated
by the ACHP in the MOA.
The ACHP and SHPO submitted various comments relating to the compatibility
of the proposed design to the historic Ellicott district. Further
negotiations are required to address these concerns and determine the
final design.
The SHPO is particularly concerned with the compatibility of the building materials with those of the Buffalo downtown. The ACHP is concerned with the relationship of the pavilion to the historic Niagara Square.
For background information on this case, visit the spring
2004 Case Digest.
Staff contact: Hector
Abreu
Updated
March 8, 2005