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For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2008
Contact:
Matt Davison | (716) 856-8123, ext. 258 |
mdavison@esd.ny.gov
Harbor Corporation Unveils Final “Canal Side” Master Plan
Buffalo’s waterfront future takes shape with $315 million,
20+ acre redevelopment effort
Today the Erie Canal Harbor Development
Corporation (ECHDC) Board of Directors and Empire State Development
(ESD) Upstate President and Interim ECHDC President Dennis Mullen,
joined with several key waterfront advocates, including U.S. Senator
Charles Schumer, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins, Mayor of Buffalo
Byron Brown, and Erie County Executive Chris Collins, to officially
unveil the comprehensive plan for revitalization of Buffalo’s inner
harbor.
“The Canal Side project plan makes important strides to restoring
waterfront vitality via a combination of residential, commercial,
open space and cultural elements,” said Senator Charles Schumer.
Public input will likely make it even better. I look forward to
working closely with state and local officials to further perfect
this plan for the vibrant and varied waterfront Buffalo needs and
deserves.”
“The Canal Side vision is about building on the foundation that we
have already started with this year’s opening of the new Erie Canal
Commercial Slip,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Through the
development of attractive public spaces along the waterfront we
create new momentum that encourages aggressive private investment
into this redefined destination. This is one component of several
ongoing efforts, including construction of the Outer Harbor Parkway,
completion of the Greenbelt trail, transfer of the NFTA outer harbor
property, a study of options for a connecting bridge and efforts to
open up land at the Coast Guard site, which together will provide
our region with the waterfront that the public deserves.”
The Canal Side master plan, which provides a framework for the
Harbor Corporation-led $315 million, 20+ acre redevelopment effort,
will establish a vibrant mixed-use waterfront destination in the
city’s historic former canal district.
“I have always stated that a key component of growing Buffalo's
economic strength and vitality is the redevelopment of the city's
waterfront, including the ongoing activities in the city's inner and
outer harbors,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “This updated master plan
for the Canal Side development presents intriguing ideas for a new
downtown waterfront destination. I look forward to the collaboration
between my Administration and the various partners involved in this
effort that is necessary to make this plan a reality.”
“Today’s debut of the Canal Side master plan is a considerable step
toward realizing the true potential of Buffalo’s Inner Harbor,” said
Erie County Executive Chris Collins. “This master plan is deeply
rooted in the historic significance of the Inner Harbor, while
offering exciting commercial, residential and recreational
opportunities to build a brighter future for our waterfront and our
entire community. I want to thank my colleagues in government for
supporting this project and the members of the Erie Canal Harbor
Development Corporation for their dedication and hard work.”
The updated master plan places a renewed emphasis on the historic
prominence of the canal district, with a mixed-use composition that
includes significant additional residential offerings. This
alteration reflects extensive community and stakeholder feedback
received by the development partners over the past 14 months, as
well as current national economic trends. Meanwhile, the plan fully
maintains a 150,000+ square feet, three-story “canal-era” Bass Pro
Shops Outdoor World anchor store and over 200,000 square feet of
additional retail space spread throughout the Canal Side district.
“We are very excited about the rebirth of the Buffalo waterfront and
the historical significance of the area. We appreciate the
opportunity to build a store that reflects the outdoor traditions
associated with the Erie Canal and the Western New York region,”
said Jim Hagale, President, Bass Pro Shops. “We certainly want to
commend the city of Buffalo and the Erie Canal Harbor Development
Corporation for their efforts in making this project a reality.”
“The transformation of Buffalo’s Inner Harbor is upon us,” said Todd
Benderson, Vice President, Benderson Development Company. “We
appreciate having Bass Pro Shops as a partner and are pleased to see
the Canal Side vision taking hold. As this effort progresses, we
welcome the opportunity to play an increasingly prominent role in
the creation of a truly dynamic development district, which visitors
will enjoy frequenting and businesses will love to call home.”
Additionally, the updated master plan:
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celebrates and evokes the unique history
and character of Buffalo’s famous canal district via canal water
features, cobblestone streets, canal-era building structures and
a recreated “Liberty Pole,” which all highlight the area’s
former status as the “gateway to the west;”
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provides various offerings and experiences,
including restaurants, entertainment venues, retail outlets,
cultural attractions, vast public spaces and increased access to
Lake Erie and the Buffalo River appealing to a wide-demographic
of visitors and residents;
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takes Buffalo’s year-round climate fully
into account and proposes seasonal programming venues and other
alternatives, which provide flexibility and growth potential;
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creates a series of completely walkable
“neighborhood districts” within Canal Side, defined by lively
streets, expansive public-access areas and convenient, yet
unobtrusive vehicle parking options; and
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proposes the re-creation of Prime Slip,
while refraining from more extensive development in the
completed Erie Canal Harbor and Central Wharf areas, thereby
maintaining the site’s historical integrity.
“Canal Side is really about harvesting the
enormous untapped potential of Buffalo’s inner harbor, and creating
a waterfront destination that becomes a truly special place in the
hearts and minds of Western New Yorkers,” said Jordan Levy,
Chairman, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. “We continue to
be blessed with the unwavering support of the Governor, our
Congressional delegation, the Mayor, the County Executive and many
other enthusiastic local elected officials, and for that we remain
extremely appreciative.”
“The vision for Canal Side is, and has always been, to create
something attainable and extraordinary,” said Larry Quinn,
Vice-Chairman, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. “We’re
confident that the master plan achieves both of those objectives,
and we encourage everyone to recognize the positive impact this
project will have on our great city. The completion of Erie Canal
Harbor is proof-positive that Western New York can get things done
on the waterfront when we remedy our differences and pull
collectively towards the greater goal.”
“On behalf of Governor Paterson, Chairman Wilmers and ESD President
and CEO Marisa Lago, let me congratulate the people of Western New
York on the completion of this exciting blueprint for the
redevelopment of Buffalo’s inner harbor,” said Dennis Mullen,
Upstate President, Empire State Development and Interim President,
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. “This project will be a
success because of the tenacity of board member volunteers, local
residents and the community. It is this passion for waterfront
revitalization that makes the State of New York and Empire State
Development so pleased to be involved with the Canal Side project.”
Funding
Initial costs of the $315 million project are expected to be
covered by a combination of New York Power Authority (NYPA) funds
received through the Niagara Power Project Re-Licensing process,
public support provided by local, state and federal entities, costs
incurred by Bass Pro Shops for store design, as well as private
investment from Benderson Development Company and future Canal Side
tenants.
Canal Side “Neighborhoods”
Several “neighborhoods” within the Canal Side development
district are also outlined in the updated master plan, offering
various experiences and attractions. These neighborhoods include:
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Family Place/Central Place – located at the
heart of Canal Side, this family-friendly neighborhood anchored
by Bass Pro Shops and numerous canal water features, offers an
abundance of attractions and public access space for visitors.
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Entertainment – home to proposed waterfront
restaurants, barges and recreated towpaths, this area is
situated between the Donovan and Webster blocks.
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Main Street – another centerpiece of Canal
Side, the project seeks to restore a vibrant Main street
corridor with shops, cafes and loft apartment residential
offerings.
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Riverfront – positioned on the banks of the
Buffalo River, this neighborhood respects the historic
traditions of Erie Canal Harbor and the Central Wharf, while
providing additional maritime opportunities and boat docking
space.
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Prime Slip – this “feeder” canal will be
home to an intimate environment of small-scale shops,
restaurants, offices and residential apartment units, infused
with local flare.
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Public Market – utilizing the roof-like
protection of the Skyway overpass, seasonal vending kiosks will
provide merchants and visitors multiple locations to their
shop-goods. Public bathrooms will also be present in this and
many other Canal Side areas.
Economic Impact
The remainder of Canal Side includes almost 375,000 square
feet of mixed-use space for hotel, office, restaurant and
entertainment use. When fully complete, the project has the
potential to generate approximately 1,000 new jobs, almost $9.5
million in annual sales-tax revenues and $1.2 million in new yearly
property taxes for the City of Buffalo. Over the course of 20 years,
the project will generate approximately $189 million in sales tax
revenue.
Next Steps
Following the unveiling of the Canal Side master plan, ECHDC will
begin preparations for project environmental review under the New
York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). This process is
expected to take 6-12 months and will conclude with the issuance of
a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and written
findings, which document any social, economic or environmental
effects of the project.
Subsequent Canal Side construction work will be conducted in a
series of phases, beginning with the Memorial Auditorium and Donovan
blocks. Phase one is projected to consist of major infrastructure
operations, such as the re-watering of canals and the lock system,
re-building the original five cobblestone streets, construction of
parking garages, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and development of the
former Donovan State Office Building site.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is a subsidiary agency of
Empire State Development Corporation. Its vision is to revitalize
Western New York's waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo
based on the region's legacy of pride, urban significance and
natural beauty. ESD is the New York's chief economic development
agency and also oversees the marketing of "I Love NY," the state's
iconic tourism brand. For more information, please visit
www.eriecanalharbor.com,
or www.nylovesbiz.com. |
