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Reader comment on:
Can Buffalo Ever Come Back?

Submitted by Gary Licherelli, Oct 25, 2007 12:01

Mr. Glaeser, your negative bias playing to a stereotyped imaged was evident starting with the winter/cropped photograph of downtown. Significant and historically important structures were "frozen" out of the photo on this particular gray winter day. But that aside, and knowing Buffalo has four uniquely beautiful seasons (all without hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, firestorms, or tornadoes), you purposely neglected to mention what locals know: A true renaissance is occurring: Major (3B+) economic developments--commercial/office, residential, educational--are in process now throughout the center core, as well as marked improvements in quality of life elements downtown and throughout the city. I find no fault with your historical account, and your emphasis on the heavy tax burden of NY in general, but really, an 'Opinion' piece should not grant anyone a license to promote an uninformed viewpoint.


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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

Im a local real estate investor who over the last 2 years has acquired 14 apartment units in buffalo and... [MORE]

Michael 

Mar 18, 2008 02:15

The only reason upstate continues to exist in the manner it does is so we can supply the five bouroughs... [MORE]

A voice of reason in this mess 

Mar 9, 2008 12:15

In addition to the incredible cost and expense of living here its the weather folks. Forget all about well at... [MORE]

Voice of the People 

Mar 6, 2008 15:25

Great article for the most part- Buffalo will never recover so long as the taxes on a 400K house are 15k... [MORE]

Recently moved here... soon to leave 

Mar 4, 2008 00:57

I'm an urban photographer and work the camera all over the city. While Buffalo's problems are more than political it... [MORE]

Nathan W Farnsworth 

Jan 20, 2008 01:03

While Mr. Gleaser's article was fairly informative his facts weren't all together true. The population of the city is not... [MORE]

Roy 

Jan 11, 2008 01:03

I live in Buffalo, and yes we have many problems but truthfully in the past 3-4 years we have seen... [MORE]

Kyle 

Jan 2, 2008 20:06

Comment is typical of those in Buffalo who can't face reality or think the place has finally bottomed out and... [MORE]

Jean claude 

Feb 14, 2008 02:09

However the rats (politicians and authorities) are still fighting over the crumbs.I like the area and fortunately live in one... [MORE]

Bruce Roche 

Dec 31, 2007 12:02

How much in Taxes has Buffalo and its citizens paid out over the years is the other component of the... [MORE]

RICHARD COLEY 

Dec 21, 2007 15:12

The real name, funny people might say, of this city Buffalo is Cairo---because we live in a state of "de... [MORE]

Olivia Holmes 

Nov 8, 2007 13:19

Ah. Olivia. I've encountered a few like you. Gratefully, not too many. I have been reading malcontent letters like yours... [MORE]

Michael Buckley 

Nov 13, 2007 18:23

I think your missing the point here, Buffalo may be a place where the economy is drowning, and the population... [MORE]

Conner Welch 

Dec 6, 2007 18:00

Obviously the distinguished professor Glaeser has not visited Buffalo recently. While the taxes are still high, the housing market is... [MORE]

Leah 

Nov 1, 2007 12:16

Tell Mr Glaesar he should come and visit so he knows what he is talking/writing about. Has he seen the... [MORE]

Vincent S. tracy,jr 

Nov 1, 2007 11:18

Now Now... Buffalo is not the ghost town you speak of! It is my home town and I Love it!... [MORE]

Renee 

Nov 30, 2007 19:34

After having read Mr. Glaeser's article about Buffalo, one would think that there is not life or hope left in... [MORE]

John J. Gabner 

Oct 28, 2007 22:45

I doubt you have ever lived in Buffalo Mr. Glaeser. I have, and I can tell you that I am... [MORE]

susan 

Oct 28, 2007 16:27

A very accurate portrayal of Buffalo history. I couldn't agree more. Mark Grinder Orchard Park, NY (the burbs) [MORE]

Mark Grinder 

Oct 27, 2007 09:48

Mr. Glaeser, your negative bias playing to a stereotyped imaged was evident starting with the winter/cropped photograph of downtown. Significant...

Gary Licherelli 

Oct 25, 2007 12:01

More Buffalo bashing and from some clown who has probably never visited the city in his entire, privileged, life and... [MORE]

Mark Williams 

Oct 25, 2007 11:30

I suppose NYC has always known what is best for Buffalo. Funny, too, that this article should appear, along with... [MORE]

Dr. G. DiNezza 

Oct 25, 2007 10:20

"Blizzards regularly shut the city down completely" - I don't know what your definition of "regularly" is but Buffalo has... [MORE]

Proud Buffalonian 

Oct 25, 2007 09:06

This is basically a relevant article. Every year we hope that the state and local governments will make the changes... [MORE]

MJ Worthington 

Oct 24, 2007 15:10

Mr. Glaser did a good job of chronicling Buffalo's rise and fall over the last 150 years. Perhaps not apparent... [MORE]

miles ignatius 

Oct 23, 2007 22:11

The city tears down abandoned houses rather quickly and owners of adjascent houses can purchase the land from the city... [MORE]

Ari Gross 

Oct 23, 2007 12:01

Great article and I agree that the only way to make people want to stay in Buffalo is to 'unshackle'... [MORE]

Brendan McIntyre 

Oct 22, 2007 12:28

If big government and high taxes could save Buffalo, they would have done so already. I am a native Buffaloian, grew... [MORE]

Ron Robinson 

Oct 22, 2007 10:07

If the warming period during the middle ages made it possible for the Vikings to travel the northern seas and... [MORE]

George French 

Oct 21, 2007 21:10

Good morning Mr. Glaeser. Thanks for a very informitive article on Buffalo's past and questionable future, I am a... [MORE]

Orlando C. Monaco 

Oct 21, 2007 04:06

Professor Glaeser's comments are well researched and present an accurate historical background. However, his solution of encouraging a shrinking community... [MORE]

Paul M. Zatulove 

Oct 20, 2007 18:08

Living in upstate New York, my entire life, it feels like we are living in economic wasteland. It feels like... [MORE]

Joseph L. Canino 

Oct 20, 2007 17:50

After reading your article global warming seems to be a blessing for Buffalo ,and Central New York. We have had... [MORE]

Mark 'Cuse 

Oct 20, 2007 10:02

As long as Albany legislators have guaranteed incumbency-for-life, nothing positive will ever happen for upstate New York. Bruno is a... [MORE]

Buffalopundit 

Oct 20, 2007 08:47

Thanks Ed for the education. And thanks for demonstrating--through a factual, historical analysis--thevalue of a business-friendly, private-driven approach to prosperity. Victor [MORE]

Victor T 

Oct 20, 2007 08:44

Your paper seems incapable of printing anything close to a balanced analysis of any situation,, whether it is politics or... [MORE]

Larry Green 

Oct 19, 2007 14:08

It seems as though the reasons for the city to exist have come and gone. Spending taxes won't change anything... [MORE]

philip striegl 

Oct 19, 2007 08:56

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