Welcome to the City of Buffalo
Mayor Masiello
Buffalo, NY

 

I hope that as you browse through this capsule of Buffalo Past, Present, and Future, you will be stimulated to find out more about "The City of Good Neighbors." When you do, you will be further impressed by the cadre of caring, committed people available to talk about the city "that's easy to love."

Buffalo is a city with a rich history and a promising future. We have weathered the economic turbulence caused by the demise of our heavy manufacturing industries that employed the bulk of out workers and are now poised to market the same strategic geography that led to Buffalo's boom period as the catalyst to a new era of growth and prosperity.

Perhaps the first thing you should know about our city is that is was not named after the American bison of the Great Plains. If you travel to Buffalo, you will find some bison in the city but only in the confines of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens. Buffalo drew its name from the mighty Niagara River which flows out of the eastern end of Lake Erie and flows over the great Falls of Niagara -- one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The French missionaries called the Lake and the River "Beau Fleuve" or "Beautiful Waters." Thanks to the Seneca Indians who were indigenous to this region, the modern pronunciation evolved.

Buffalo is truly a city of "Beautiful Waters." Our waterfront is a work in progress but already a gem of urban revitalization. It is home to the Naval and Servicemen's Park which stands as a fitting testament to the service, suffering and sacrifice of the brave men and women of this region who always answered America's call in time of crisis. A missile cruiser, a World War II destroyer and a submarine are available for your inspection. The museum building houses exhibits and memorabilia of all our nation's wars. Travel along the "Walk of Heroes" and view beautiful monuments to the Marine Corps, the Merchant Marine service, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Each year, Buffalo hosts several veterans reunions which are drawn to Buffalo because of the majesty of the Park.

At the end of the Walk is the Erie Basin Marina which affords boaters and visitors a breathtaking panorama of the Buffalo skyline. Stop for a cold drink, a snack or a gourmet meal at one of our waterfront restaurants.

Across the street from the Naval Park is the new HSBCArena, the new home of the National Hockey League Buffalo Sabres. From there, take a free ride on the rapid transit. You will pass several of Buffalo's architectural jewels: the Ellicott Square Building, the nation's first "skyscraper" and Louis Sullivan's masterpiece Guaranty Building among them. The free section ends at the Theater District where Shea's Center for the Performing Arts (a national historic theater) is our Grande Dame and where myriad restaurants and shops abound. Make sure you visit the Market Arcade. The Theater District is also home to most of downtown's night life.

Buffalo is much more than downtown, however. Our health care system is superlative. Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Institute ranks among the nation's top five cancer research and treatment facilities. Children's Hospital is a nationally renown pediatric care center. General Hospital is a leader in heart transplant surgery and the Erie County Medical Center boasts of a top flight trauma center.

Buffalo's public school system enjoys a great national reputation and feeds several fine colleges and universities including the largest campus on the state university system -- the University at Buffalo where the Dental and Pharmacy Schools rank among the nation's top 10; Buffalo State College; Canisius College, D'Youville College and Medaille College. A fine system of two year institutions exists as well including Erie Community College, Trocaire College, and Villa Maria College.

All this and so much more awaits the visitor to Buffalo: our Olmsted parks system, our Frank Lloyd Wright architectural legacy, our international gateway with Canada, and our vibrant and vital neighborhoods. You are cordially invited to contact my office (716-851-4841) for more information about all aspects of our great city. I look forward to seeing you in Buffalo soon.