Two architectural firms with experience in urban redevelopment have been chosen to help create a retail-entertainment district along downtown Buffalo's waterfront.

The Bos Group, the designated developer for the project, which includes transforming the mothballed Memorial Auditorium into a regional retail destination, has retained Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and New York-based Gensler & Associates.

The resumes of both architectural firms include major urban projects, said Lichtman, head of Bos, which is based in Bethesda, Md.

"We went through an exhaustive selection process because we wanted to come strong out of the box with firms that have a history of design and construction in challenging urban environments, Lichtman said.

For Gensler, efforts to bring the idle Aud back to life will be similar to its work in the mid-1990s to convert downtown Houston's Albert Thomas Convention Center into the Bayou Place retail/entertainment center.

Meanwhile, LRK had a major hand in converting a historic dry-goods store in downtown Memphis, built in 1913, into what is now known as the Toyota Center.

Both firms won praise for the projects from architectural, planning and historic preservation groups.

"By bringing Gensler and LRK together for this project, we have the best talents available to make Buffalo's waterfront redevelopment a reality," Lichtman said.

The goal will be to close the gap between Buffalo's underutilized Erie Canal Harborfront and its rich historical legacy, according to Max Steele, a vice president at Gensler.

"We are optimistic about creating the right idea that will generate people activity and help the waterfront become a unique destination worthy of repeat visits for visitors and locals alike," Steele said.

Rick Franks of LRK said the project "affords many exciting planning and design opportunities, and will allow us to apply the combined experiences of LRK and Gensler in numerous ways."

Key representatives of both firms and the Bos Group were in Buffalo earlier this month to tour the Aud and walk the 41/2-block area designated for redevelopment.

The redevelopment team plans to return to Buffalo in mid-October, when preliminary designs for the Aud and adjacent properties are expected to be worked out.

"We hope to have something to show potential tenants by mid-November," Lichtman said.

A 140,000-square-foot Bass Pro Outdoor World store remains at the top of planners' tenant wish list. The multifaceted sports store has been billed as not only a regional attraction, but would appeal to outdoors enthusiasts from neighboring states and Canada.

Lichtman, who has had experience developing Bass Pro locations, said the retailer's interest in Buffalo and the downtown site remains "very, very strong."

Under the one-year agreement signed with Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. in June, the Bos Group has six months to deliver a preliminary plan and a feasibility study for the Aud and nearby sites.