BUFFALO PLACE INC PEDESTRIAN STUDY Buffalo, New York

Transcription

1 BUFFALO PLACE INC PEDESTRIAN STUDY Buffalo, New York August 2008

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study...1 Appendix A District Map and Charts...7 Appendix B Comparing Buffalo Tables/Charts...15 Appendix C All Day Location Charts...20 Appendix D Multiple Count Locations...26 Appendix E All Count Tables Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study i

3 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study INTRODUCTION Pedestrian volume studies have been conducted by Buffalo Place Inc. since the early 1980s as a way to evaluate the vitality of downtown Buffalo. The 2008 study includes hourly lunch-time pedestrian counts at most downtown intersections, and all day pedestrian counts on several streets requested by the City of Buffalo to support their planning efforts. The study attempts to: Provide a quantitative measure of the health of downtown Buffalo. Supply retailers, prospective tenants, and developers with useful market information not available from other sources. Provide a measure to compare downtown Buffalo vitality with other urban areas. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS The 2008 Pedestrian Study revealed that pedestrian volume in downtown Buffalo, especially along Main St., is healthy and strong compared with other cities. Pedestrian counts along Main Street during lunch time are similar or higher than counts taken in cities with larger population bases. Similar studies in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Portland Oregon were reviewed. The counts at M&T Plaza and Lafayette Square were higher than any count in the other cities.1 Pedestrian volume from the top ten (10) locations in each downtown were averaged as a way to compare overall sidewalk pedestrian activity between cities. The average top ten pedestrian volume in Buffalo was more than Portland and Cincinnati combined, and 40% more than Philadelphia, a larger city with a population advantage of more than one million people. 2 The trend of high pedestrian volume on Main Street has been consistent in downtown Buffalo since at least the 1970s, and seems associated with the linear shape of our downtown which is centered on Main Street, versus other downtowns with a core shape. We also combine adjacent streets into our Lafayette Square counting zone, to avoid double counting of pedestrians walking through the area. While the other cities do not present their pedestrian counts the same way we do, they provided sufficient detail so that we could calculate comparisons with consistent methods is the first year that bicycle traffic was also documented. The new bicycle traffic counts will help identify priority streets for bike lanes, signage and bicycle amenities. 1 Information was compiled from Center City in Philadelphia, Downtown Cincinnati Inc. in Cincinnati and Portland, Oregon Business Alliance in Portland. 2 Compiled from 2007 U.S Census Bureau Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 1

4 The overall findings include: Downtown pedestrian volume is heaviest on Main Street between Swan and Chippewa Streets. Downtown Buffalo continues to have a uniquely strong pedestrian presence on Main Street. Of the 82 locations surveyed, 15 had average lunchtime volumes of over 1,000 pedestrians per hour the activity level recognized as sufficient to support retail establishments. 3 Even though there were demolition projects underway at the Memorial Auditorium and the Donovan Building, parts of Lower Main St. saw an increase in pedestrian volume. This is most likely due to the new Erie Canal Harbor site that has attracted downtown employees and visitors during lunch time hours. Lunchtime traffic is less than the levels that were recorded in the early 1990s. This is attributed to a reduction in downtown shopping and dining opportunities since then. However, there was plenty of activity during the summer of 2008: - The M&T Plaza Concert Series is viewed by over 6,000 people every weekday from 12:00-1:00 pm (June 9 to August 29). - The Country Market is a big attraction. It is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer and draws an average of around 6,000 people during the lunch hour. - The opening of the Erie Canal Harbor drew over 800 people during the average lunchtime hour. Unlike most other locations in our survey, the Erie Canal Harbor is a destination. Pedestrians are in the area specifically to be there, not because it is on the path to another location. Erie Canal Harbor visits are predicted to continue to grow as development of the area progresses. METHODOLOGY Pedestrians were counted at each location for a ten minute sample which was then multiplied by six so that all counts could be expressed as an hourly volume. Ten minute sample counts have been used by Buffalo Place because they represent hourly volumes with significantly less error than five minute counts, but are not significantly less accurate than fifteen minute counts. Longer sample counts provide improved accuracy, but require more time, making the overall pedestrian study harder to complete over one summer Many locations required subdivision due to their large size and amount of pedestrian traffic.. Care was taken to include only pedestrians traveling in certain directions to avoid any double counting when the subcounts were combined. Counts were taken during consistent weather, on days that were sunny and warm during the months of June, July, and August of Counts taken during the twice per week Downtown County Market were averaged with counts taken on non-market days, to give a better representation of overall pedestrian activity.. 3 Further proof that a substantial market for retail development exists is confirmed by the findings of the 1998 Downtown Employee Survey, conducted by Buffalo Place Inc. and the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 2

5 STUDY AREA Lunch time pedestrian counts were taken at downtown intersections in the area bounded by Goodell on the North, Michigan Street on the east, Perry Street on the south, and Lower Terrace and Elwood on the west. The map on page 4 illustrates lunchtime pedestrian activity. Additional comparisons were made from previous years and between different downtown districts for 25 locations in the downtown core: Perry and Main Scott and Main Seneca and Main Swan and Main Washington and Swan (Dunn Tire Park) Cathedral Place/Ellicott Square Building Cathedral Park M&T Plaza Eagle and Pearl Eagle and Franklin Washington and Former &A s Former &A s/country Market Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Mohawk Park Hyatt and Olympic Towers Main & Huron (Roosevelt Plaza) Fountain Plaza Chippewa & Delaware Chippewa & Pearl Chippewa & Franklin Chippewa & Main Theater Station Tupper & Main Goodell & Main All-day counts between 7 and 7 were collected on Pearl Street., Church Street., Delaware Avenue., Elmwood Avenue., and at the Erie Canal Harbor. These were collected to support planning work by the City and New York State Departments of Transportation, and for the Quality Communities Grant Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 3

6 Map Prepared by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Committee (GBNRTC) 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 4

7 2008 Lunchtime Pedestrian Volume MOHAWK ST CHURCH ST June - August 12 Noon to 2 ELMWOOD AVE EDWARD ST TRINITY PL TUPPER ST GOODELL TRACY ST JOHNSON PK CHIPPEWA DELAWARE AVE FRANKLIN ST PEARL ST MAIN ST WASHINGTON ST ELLICOTT ST N OAK ST ELM ST GENESEE MICHIGAN AVE HURON NIAGARA ST SYCORE BROADWAY COURT EAGLE WILLI CLINTON EAGLE N. DIVISION Pedestrians/ Hour S. DIVISION MAIN ST SWAN ST EXCHANGE ST SCOTT ST PERRY S PARK AVE MICHIGAN AVE Miles

8 Appendix A District Map and Charts 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 5

9 Downtown Districts 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 6

10 Pedestrian Volume Trends % Change in Lunchtime Volume per Hour Location Perry and Main -56% -42% 72% Scott and Main -81% 283% -35% 18% 109% 236% Auditorium* -26% 43% 22% -4% -42% -14% Seneca and Main -14% 30% 4% -4% -36% 22% -36% -59% Swan and Main 11% 0% 16% -5% -54% 31% -8% -35% Washington & Swan (Dunn Tire Park) -67% 54% -22% 36% -61% Cathedral Place and Ellicott Sq. Bldg. 7% 20% 51% -30% -49% 0% 37% Cathedral Park -18% 55% -22% 5% -22% -13% -11% 114% M&T Plaza 4% 24% -26% 54% -38% 22% 78% 133% Eagle and Pearl -9% -69% -12% Eagle and Franklin -2% 19% 11% Washington and Former &A's -66% 21% 96% Former &A's and Main Place Mall 73% -26% 62% -23% -61% 38% 263% Lafayette Square -14% 31% -37% 4% -7% 11% -3% 66% Court and Pearl -40% 1% -11% 11% -14% 25% Lafayette Ct./Courtyard Mall 6% 37% -5% -16% -45% 13% Mohawk Park -7% 55% -25% -10% -52% 36% -25% -27% Hyatt and Olympic Towers 279% 46% -16% 42% -61% Roosevelt Plaza -14% 31% -37% 4% -3% 3% -38% 26% Fountian Plaza 10% 60% 70% -22% 12% 4% -28% 65% Chippewa and Delaware 10% 64% 136% Chippewa and Pearl 26% 52% 24% Chippewa and Franklin 7% 6% -47% -16% 45% Chippewa and Main 28% 49% 8% -4% -45% 27% 21% 19% Theater Station -10% 34% -24% 29% -52% -24% -15% 42% Tupper and Main 16% 7% -9% 18% -40% 14% -30% -27% Goodell and Main -9% 3% -36% 40% -10% 39% -16% 35% *Count site was under construction during counts Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 7

11 Main & Perry Buffalo Place Special District Lunch Time Pedestrian Volume/ Hour Average of Noon & 1:00 Counts Pedestrians/ Hour Main & Goodell Main & Tupper Theatre Station Chippewa & Main Chippewa & Franklin Chippewa & Pearl Chippewa & Delaware Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Hyatt /Olympic Tower Mohawk Park Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Eagle & Franklin Eagle & Pearl Washington & Eagle &A's/Market* M&T Plaza Cathedral Place Cathedral Park Dunn Tire Park Main & Swan Main & Seneca Main & Scott 0 Theatre District Fountain Plaza Shopping District Historic District Lower Main 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 8

12 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Volume Lunch Time Study Fountain Plaza Pedestrians/ Hour Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 9

13 M&T Plaza Shopping District Pedestrians\Hour Hyatt/ Olympic Tower Mohawk Park Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Eagle & Franklin Eagle & Pearl W ashington & Eagle &A's/ Market M&T Plaza Mohawk Park Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Eagle & Franklin &A's/ Market M&T Plaza Hyattl/ Olympic Tower Mohawk Park Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Eagle & Franklin 0 Eagle & Pearl Washington & Eagle M&T Plaza Mohawk Park Lafayette Square &A's/ Market 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 10

14 Main & Swan 4000 Historic District Pedestrians\Hour Cathedral Place Cathedral Park Dunn Tire Park Main & Swan Cathedral Park Main & Swan Cathedral Place Cathedral Park Dunn Tire Park Main & Swan Cathedral Place 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 11

15 Lower Main Pedestrians\Hour Main & Seneca Main & Scott Main & Perry Main & Seneca Main & Scott Main & Perry Main & Seneca Main & Scott Main & Perry Main & Seneca Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 12

16 6000 Buffalo Place Special Districts Average Hourly Lunch Time Counts 2008, 2001, 1999 & Pedestrians\Hour Theatre District Fountain Plaza Shopping District Historic District Lower Main Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 13

17 Elm St. Tupper St. Franklin St. Oak St. Ellicott St. Buffalo Place Inc Lunch Time Bicycle Volume/Hour District Averages Bicycles Theatre District Fountain Plaza Shopping District Historic District Lower Main Pearl St. Elmwood Ave. Delaware Ave Washington St Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 14

18 Appendix B Comparing Buffalo Tables/Charts 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 15

19 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Chart Top Ten Pedestrian Counts/City Buffalo Locations: Volume Rank Pedestrians/Hour Lafayette Square M&T Plaza Former &A's/Farmers Market Cathedral Park Fountain Plaza Cathedral Place Main & Huron Mohawk Park Eagle & Franklin Main & Chippewa Portland Locations: Volume Rank Pedestrians/Hour Broadway & Morrison rd & Yamhill Grand Ave. & Morrison th & Morrison rd & Taylor Broadway & Alder th & Taylor th & Alder th & Washington rd Alder Cincinnati Locations: Volume Rank Pedestrians/Hour 4th & Walnut th & Vine th & Vine th & Walnut th & Race th & Main Vine & Court th & Main th & Plum th & Elm Philadelphia Locations: Volume Rank Pedestrians/Hour 1600 Chestnut Market Market Walnut South 18th South Broad Market Chestnut N 12th Filbert Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 16

20 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Chart Comparison of Pedestrian Counts By City Location Lunch Time Pedestrians /Hour Volume Rank Buffalo Portland Philadelphia Cincinnati Average: Lunch Time Pedestrians Per Hour Average Counts Per City Pedestrians/ Hour Buffalo Portland Philadelphia Cincinnati 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 17

21 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Chart Appendix C All Day Location Charts All-day counts were collected to support planning work on Pearl, Church, Elmwood and Delaware by the City and New York State Departments of Transportation, and for the Quality Communities Grant Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 18

22 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study Church St. (All Day) Pedestrians Church & Upper/Lower Terrace Pearl & Church Church & Bingham :00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7: Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 19

23 Delaware Ave. (All Day) Pedestrians Delaware & Tupper Delaware & Chippewa Delaware & Huron Delaware & Mohawk :00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7: Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 20

24 Elmwood Ave. (All Day) Pedestrians Elmwood & Tupper Elmwood & Chippewa Elmwood & Huron Elmwood & Mohawk Elmwood & Court :00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7: Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 21

25 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Volume Study Pearl St. (All Day) Pedestrians Pearl & Seneca Pearl & Church Pearl & Court Pearl & Chippewa 7:00 9:00 11:00 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 Pearl St. North & South Locations (All Day) Pedestrians Pearl & Seneca Pearl & Church Pearl & Court Pearl & Chippewa :00 9:00 11:00 1:00 3:00 5:00 7:00 Pearl St. East & West Locations (All Day) Pedestrians Pearl & Seneca Pearl & Church Pearl & Court Pearl & Chippewa :00 9:00 11:00 1:00 3:00 5:00 7: Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 22

26 Erie Canal Harbor (All Day) Pedestrians :00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7: Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 23

27 Appendix D Multiple Count Locations 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 24

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34 Appendix E All Count Tables 2008 Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 31

35 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Pedestrians Per Hour Theatre District Fountain Plaza Shopping District Historic District Lower Main Pearl St. Elmwood Ave. Location 12 Noon 1 Average Average Bikes/ Lunch Hour Main & Goodell Main & Tupper Theatre Station/ Formerly Theatre Square Chippewa & Main Chippewa & Franklin Chippewa & Pearl Chippewa & Delaware Fountain Plaza Main & Huron Hyatt Hotel/Olympic Tower Mohawk Park Lafayette Square Court & Pearl Eagle & Franklin Eagle & Pearl Washington & Eagle &A's/ Market M&T Plaza Cathedral Place Cathedral Park Dunn Tire Park Main & Swan Main & Seneca Main & Scott Main & Perry Pearl & Tupper Pearl & Chippewa Pearl & Huron Pearl, Mohawk & W. Genesee Pearl & Court Pearl & Church Pearl & Seneca Elmwood & Tupper Elmwood & Chippewa Elmwood & Huron Elmwood & Mohawk Elmwood & Court Elmwood & Perkins Elmwood & W. Genesee Elmwood & Church Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 32

36 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Pedestrians Per Hour Delaware Ave. Washington St. Ellicott St. Oak St. Elm St. Location 12 Noon 1 Average Average Bikes/ Lunch Hour Delaware & Tupper Delaware & Chippewa Delaware & Huron Delaware & Mohawk Niagara Square Delaware & Eagle Delaware & Church Washington St. & Tupper Washington St. & Chippewa Washington St. & Huron/Genesee Washington St. & Mohawk Washington St. & Broadway Washington St. & Clinton Washington St. & Seneca Washington St. & Exchange Washington St. & Scott Washington St. & Perry Ellicott St. & Tupper Ellicott St. & Chippewa/Genesee Ellicott St. & Huron Ellicott St. & Mohawk Ellicott St. & Broadway Ellicott St. & Clinton Ellicott St. & Eagle Ellicott St. & N. Division Ellicott St. & S. Division Ellicott St. & Swan Oak St. & Genesee Oak St. & Sycamore Oak St. & Broadway Oak St. & William Oak St. & Clinton Oak St. & E. Eagle Oak St. & N. Division Oak St. & S. Division Oak St. & Swan Elm St. & Genesee Elm St. & Sycamore Elm St. & Broadway Elm St. & William Elm St. & Clinton Elm St. & E. Eagle Elm St. & N. Division Elm St. & S. Division Elm St. & Swan Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 33

37 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study Lunch time Pedestrians Per Hour Tupper St. Franklin St. Location 12 Noon 1 Average Average Bikes/ Lunch Hour Tupper St. & Franklin Tupper St. & Pearl Tupper St. & Main Tupper St. & Washington Tupper St. & Ellicott Tupper St. & Oak Tupper St. & Elm Franklin St. & Tupper Franklin St. & Chippewa Franklin St. & Huron Franklin St. & Mohawk Franklin St. & Court Franklin St. & Niagara/Eagle Franklin St. & Church Franklin St. & Swan Franklin St. & Seneca Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 34

38 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Pearl Street Location Pearl & Seneca Time North-South Pedestrians/ Hr East-West Pedestrians/ Hr Total Pedestrians/ Hr Bikes/ Hr 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Pearl & Church 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Pearl & Court 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 35

39 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Pearl Street Location Time North-South Pedestrians/ Hr East-West Pedestrians/ Hr Total Pedestrians/ Hr Bikes/ Hr Pearl & Chippewa 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 36

40 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Location Elmwood & Tupper Time Pedestrians / Hr Bikes/ Hr 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Elmwood & Chippewa 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Elmwood & Huron 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 37

41 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Location Time Pedestrians / Hr Bikes/ Hr 7: : : : : : Elmwood & Mohawk 1: : : : : : : : : : : : : Elmwood & Court 1: : : : : : : : : : : : : Delaware & Tupper 1: : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 38

42 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Location Time Pedestrians / Hr Bikes/ Hr Delaware & Chippewa 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Delaware & Huron 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Delaware & Mohawk 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 39

43 Buffalo Place Inc Pedestrian Study All Day Counts Location Time Pedestrians / Hr Bikes/ Hr Church St./Health Now Parking Lot 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Church & Lower Terrace 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Erie Canal Harbor 7: : : : : : : : : : : : : Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 40

44 Acknowledgments Buffalo Place appreciates the efforts of the Summer Interns who conducted the 2008 Pedestrian Survey: Trevor Felix, a student at Towson University, organized the project, collected pedestrian counts, analyzed results and drafted the report. Anne Rosen, a student at Smith College, collected pedestrian counts and provided project organization. Adam Rubin, a student at City Honors High School, collected pedestrian counts Buffalo Place Inc. Pedestrian Study 41