LiRo Engineers will assist in moving much-anticipated project forward
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. board of directors met and approved a contract for construction management services related to the Anchorinterpretive structures project. The focus of the project is on interpreting two former buildings located along the commercial slip, which will recall the historic 19th-century building massing, while enabling a modern use, architectural and street scale interpretation, as well as fulfill the public's request for permanent public restrooms, centralized visitor information and covered programming space.
Groundbreaking is expected by fall 2018.
The $1 million contract approved was awarded to LiRo Engineers Inc., a New York state-based multidisciplinary construction management firm, who will team with SLR Contracting & Service Co (M/WBE) and Foit-Albert Associates (MBE) on the project. LiRo will advise ECHDC during the preconstruction period, and manage the construction procurement and on-site activities related to the project.
"While we have been discussing the Canalside interpretive structures project for quite some time, today's board action is a major milestone and signals that we can move forward with construction planning in preparation for a shovel in the ground this fall," ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia said. "The demand for visitor amenities - like permanent public restrooms and centralized visitor information - that will be provided by these structures has been growing at Canalside. This is all part of Gov. Cuomo's vision for activating Buffalo's waterfront, while also satisfying visitor needs at Canalside."
The interpretive structures project consists of capital improvements and investments that will facilitate increased public amenities, access and activation of the Canalside area. The pavilion and union block building, both located along the commercial slip, will lengthen Canalside's programming season and provide visitor services and public restrooms. LiRo is well-suited for this project, having completed multiple projects for both ECHDC and Empire State Development in the past.
ECHDC issued a request for proposals in November for a well-qualified construction management firm to provide pre-construction, construction and postconstruction management services. Four proposals were received. The sites included in the project are City of Buffalo-owned, but ECHDC operates and maintains the area under its management agreement with the city through 2024.
