ECHDC to hold three public outreach meetings

Public's input sought for Buffalo Outer Harbor blueprint

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. Chairman Robert has today announced the agency plans to hold three community meetings to seek public input for the Outer Harbor blueprint due this fall. 

Working with Empire State Development and Perkins+Will, a San Francisco-based planning and architecture firm, ECHDC officials want Western New Yorkers to know the public is welcome and encouraged to attend any and all of these meetings. 

"We are determined to listen to what our residents want to see in the blueprint for Buffalo's last frontier," Gioia said. "This is your project. These meetings are open to everyone and are designed to solicit varied opinions and guidance from the region's people. The design team is open to all suggestions within our guiding principles." 

"It's about accessibility, diversity, planning and design, and financial sustainability," he added. 

The meetings are set as follows:

•Wednesday, July 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m., WNED Studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo;

•Thursday, July 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Makowski Early Childhood Center, 1095 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo; and

•Saturday, July 12, 9-11 a.m., Old First Ward Community Center, 62 Republic St., Buffalo.

Community members will participate in these open and inclusive public meetings by sharing ideas, learning about the planning process and engaging in planning games with Perkins+Will staff. (see pictures here)

In September, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented his vision for a dramatic transformation of the City of Buffalo's largely vacant Outer Harbor waterfront. This vision includes the transfer of approximately 350 acres of waterfront land from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to the ECHDC, whose mission and resources will better enable it to support and expedite the land's redevelopment.

Approximately 190 acres of the transferred Outer Harbor lands, a small boat marina and a beach, is now a new state park - and the first state park in Buffalo under the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The remaining, adjacent land is primarily yet unplanned, but will ultimately feature mixed-use waterfront development under ECHDC's guiding principles.

ECHDC announced in April the state was moving ahead on plans to redevelop and dramatically transform the soon-to-be-acquired state land holdings on the Outer Harbor into a vibrant and accessible waterfront for residents and tourists alike. The selection of Perkins+Will to lead the planning team began the process leading to a blueprint this fall.

For more information, go to www.eriecanalharbor.com.

About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.

As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state's chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor to attract critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York.