Downtown Campus: Partnering

The inherent benefit lies in the integration of resources and potential for collaboration with partner institutions, Kaleida Health, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and other members of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). Of the three campuses, UB’s vision for the Downtown Campus is the most ambitious, involving the creation of a world-class center of clinical practices, medical education, and health sciences research. Making the most of this opportunity will require the eventual migration of all five of UB’s health sciences schools beginning with the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences by 2023. The School of Nursing and the School of Public Health and Health Professions will be close behind. Eventually, the School of Dental Medicine and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will follow in future generations. While there are many important factors involved in the making of the future of the University at Buffalo, the relocation of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Science from South Campus to Downtown Campus is arguably the most significant factor in its role as catalyst for following moves throughout the University.

BNMC, a not-for-profit consortium of nine health-care related institutions, has developed a master plan of the medical campus on behalf of its members. The BNMC plan was developed in conjunction with UB's Top 25 Ambition plan as an integrated approach representing the interests of all the partner institutions, the University at Buffalo, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Also initiated by BNMC and in cooperation with the City of Buffalo, was the Four Neighborhoods, One Community neighborhood planning effort. Among other things, this plan clarifies how the growth of BNMC member institutions can be planned to provide for the maximum positive impact on the two adjacent neighborhoods, Allentown and the Fruit Belt. The Facilities Master Plan builds upon the work of all these plans to bring together a comprehensive approach while incorporating the most current thinking related to phasing, program, and land use.

While there are a number of options available, fundamentally, the Facilities Master Plan seeks to:

• Satisfy common development goals
• Create nodes that center activity and provide a sense of place
• Bring vitality to streets
• Provide community green spaces
• Balance density to remain sympathetic to context
  

Of the three campuses, the questions related to the Downtown Campus are the most complex and open. The presence of premier partner institutions paired with the availability of land presents a great opportunity for all to create an active urban environment that fosters connectivity and collaboration while contributing to the development of downtown Buffalo at large.