Auto Show Great, Convention Center Not So Much

As I sit here taking in the Buffalo Auto Show I can't help but think how good a job the NFADA does with such an awful building. The Buffalo Convention Center has so much become an example of misbuilding in our city.
The building itself is nothing to be proud of starting with the outside facade.
Starting from just outside with the decrepit electronic message board in the square across from the main entrance. I can't believe that year after year goes by and still it sits in horrible disrepair. Inside, the convention center is poorly laid out and confusing, though the powers that be have done as good a job as possible in making it more user friendly.

In the bottom level ceilings are too low...you feel closed in. There are too many cookie cutter nooks and crannies. Upstairs, the main hall is still no better than a glorified gym with carpeting. Perfect for a wild beer bash, not so good for classy events the city is trying to attract.

I still can't believe the county turned down that late 90's offer from the Seneca Nation to use the convention center for a casino, and in return build the city (or at least give is the money to build) a new convention center. Remember all the drawings of a new center near the corner of Oak and Genesee? That area would be buzzing right now instead of still being a rehab project. Another in the long line of downtown mistakes. Even though I wasn't a proponent of another Casino, that would've solved a major problem. But we missed out again.

But let's end on the positive...the NFADA has done a great job this year in an industry that corporately doesn't look at Buffalo as strongly as it used to. And if you like this auto show, you will LOVE Toronto's. Find more info at www.autoshow.ca

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