|
|
For Immediate Release:
December 16, 2009
Contact:
Matt Davison (ECHDC) |
mdavison@empire.state.ny.us | (716) 846-8258
ECHDC Authorizes Construction Monitoring
Services Contract and Recommends Canal Side General Project Plan
State agency awards construction oversight and management
duties to LiRo Engineers, Inc. and advances required inner harbor
review process The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC)
board of directors today awarded a $1,771,693 construction
monitoring services contract to LiRo Engineers, Inc. for impending
Canal Side project-related work. In addition, the harbor corporation
formally recommended that the Empire State Development (ESD) board
or directors officially adopt the Canal Side General Project Plan (GPP).
The construction monitoring services contract awarded to New York
State-based LiRo Engineers, Inc. is valued at $1,610,630, and
includes a ten-percent (10%) contingency of $161,060. Under this
award, the company will be authorized to provide pre-construction
services with regard to design of the Canal Side project’s proposed
public canal features and infrastructure elements, as well as the
below grade parking structure and Canal Side Hall building.
Subsequent phases of work will proceed upon receipt of project
approvals.
“After reviewing the proposals, it was evident that LiRo
demonstrated the right combination of project knowledge and
waterfront development experience for this particular job,” said
ECHDC President Thomas Dee. “The company provided solid services in
helping us manage the Memorial Auditorium demolition process, and we
expect the same commitment during Canal Side project construction.”
In other activity, ECHDC formally recommended that ESD approve the
Canal Side GPP during the parent corporation’s upcoming December
board of directors meeting. The GPP, which is required by Section 10
of the NYS Urban Development Corporation Act, provides a
comprehensive analysis of the Canal Side project and details the
associated economic benefits of revitalizing large swaths of
previously underutilized waterfront lands in downtown Buffalo.
Contents of the GPP include: project site summaries, backgrounds and
history; environmental review specifications; land acquisition and
usage details; design and construction process evaluation; cost
benefit analysis; preliminary funding sources and uses information;
required affirmative action program goals; as well as land zoning
authority.
“Recommendation of the GPP is yet another important hurdle in our
drive to make Canal Side a reality for the people of WNY,” said
ECHDC Chairman Jordan Levy. “This positive advancement is a direct
result of the enhanced waterfront commitment offered by Governor
Paterson and his team at the NYPA this past weekend, and we are
extremely grateful for their efforts to bolster Canal Side and the
overall revitalization effort.”
According to preliminary figures included in the GPP, the Canal Side
project is estimated to have a total price tag of $294,829,687, made
up of both public and private investment. Funding sources include
$154,100,000 in monies received from the New York Power Authority,
New York State, the Federal Transit Authority, the Federal Highway
Authority, and Empire State Development, as well as $140,880,000 in
projected private financing.
Proposed Canal Side project expenditures include $112,249,687 for
major public infrastructure improvements, including: public canals,
towpaths, lighting, canopies, signage, canal bridge spans, replica
packet boats and barges, improved streetscapes, floating docks,
public parking options, the Prime Slip, Canal Side Hall, the Gateway
Building, the Atrium Building, design costs, contingencies, and
other canal district/inner harbor improvements. Bass Pro Shops—a
destination retailer—will continue to receive an inducement package
through the funding plan, as originally set forth in a
pre-development agreement executed by the company and ECHDC in
late-2007. In addition, a $4,000,000 incentive will be utilized to
help attract a second anchor tenant to Canal Side. Private
development efforts are expected to make-up the remainder of the
total project cost, to the tune of $140,880,000.
The adopted Canal Side General Project Plan will be uploaded to the
ECHDC website following formal approval by ESD on December 18, 2009.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is a subsidiary agency of
Empire State Development Corporation (ESD). 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.
|
