The Aud fades into history

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's the ceremonial goodbye to Memorial Auditorium and the ushering in of a new era on the Buffalo waterfront, and it's proving something else, say it's planners.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairman Jordan Levy said, "It's proving for the first time that the cynics are wrong."

And after fifty years of unfulfilled promises at the waterfront, western New Yorkers received a vow.

Representative Brian Higgins said, "You will always have access to your waterfront, from this day on, and this is what our work is all about, is helping create the realization of fifty years of master planning."

Last July, the Erie Canal Harbor had it's grand opening with great fanfare, followed two days later with 4th of July fireworks at the newly completed Central Wharf.

The demolition of the Aud is making way for a new Bass Pro Megastore.

>> VIDEOS: Timeline of the demolition process over the past 4 months

Erie County Executive Chris Collins said, "We will be a world class community, where people want to live, businesses want to locate, and tourists want to visit."

The highlight of Tuesday's event was Mayor Byron Brown opening a time capsule placed in the Aud's cornerstone in November of 1939.

Mayor Brown said, "Headline is U.S. offers aid in Baltic dispute."

Photographs inside included Buffalo Mayor Thomas Holling placing the documents in the time capsule.

Some people in the crowd remembered that moment.

Tony Lazzara said, "I said I'll remember this as long as this building's up, and I did remember it. It's a shame really. I liked the building."

Three photographs by local citizens capturing the drama of the demolition of the Aud were given top honors. But people want to cling to memories of the Aud when it was alive with action.

Mark Becker said, "Hockey, basketball, seeing the old Braves, circus, too many good things."

People talk about the smells besides the sights, the beer...

Former Aud Concessionaire Jack Higgins said, "It's all in my coat right now, Rich, the smell is still there, it's still in there, it's an old coat."