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Pictured, from left, are DOT Regional Director Darrell Kaminski, Mark Cerrone Vice President/General Superintendent Vincent Cerrone, and Congressman Brian Higgins.
Pictured, from left, are DOT Regional Director Darrell Kaminski, Mark Cerrone Vice President/General Superintendent Vincent Cerrone, and Congressman Brian Higgins.
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Congressman Higgins announces latest projects along Buffalo's Outer Harbor

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Jul 1st 2013 04:10 pm

Tifft Street Pier, Industrial Heritage Trail and Lake Kirsty Dock improving waterfront public access and recreation opportunities

Congressman Brian Higgins was joined by New York State Department of Transportation Regional Director Darrell Kaminski to announce ongoing progress on more than $4.2 million in projects designed to improve public access and recreational opportunities along Buffalo's Outer Harbor. 

"A lot of attention, rightly, is focused on the great destination we have at Canalside, but simultaneously we are seeing a grand evolution along the Outer Harbor as well," Higgins said.  "Three years ago, most people couldn't even find the Outer Harbor or find a reason to come here. Today there are many reasons to visit, ranging from bike paths to fishing piers, nature preserves and Buffalo's historic lighthouse." 

DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald said, "These projects, as part of a comprehensive set of transportation improvements along Buffalo's Outer Harbor, will provide additional recreational opportunities and help boost local economic activity.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo has shown his commitment to bolstering community renewal through infrastructure improvements such as these."

The latest projects currently under construction and recently completed include:

Tifft Street Pier

  • Located along the Outer Harbor Parkway/Fuhrmann Boulevard at the foot of Tifft Street, the site will feature a steel ribbon walkway leading to an observation pier covered by a canopy.  Planks will connect a floating dock to the pier to allow people to get closer to the water.  Decks with landscaping and seating areas will line the shore.
  • Work is underway and set for completion in October.

Industrial Heritage Trail

  • Located along the Outer Harbor Parkway/Fuhrmann Boulevard just north of the Ohio Street intersection, the trail will include a bicycle and pedestrian path lined with granite.
  • Work is underway and set for completion in July.

Lake Kirsty Pier

  • Located at the entranceway to Tifft Nature Preserve, a large wooden pier extends into Lake Kirsty
  • This was completed in 2012. 

Work on the three projects is being conducted by Niagara Falls contractor Mark Cerrone Inc., and administered by the DOT. The projects are among several "node" or pocket park projects planned for during the design phase on the Fuhrmann Boulevard/Outer Harbor Parkway reconstruction.

Higgins pointed out the projects are among a number of improvements along the Outer Harbor and Buffalo River, which have taken place over the last three years totaling $124 million in investments.

Project

Completion Date

Funding Source

Cost

Outer Harbor Parkway

Summer 2010

Federal, State & Local

$62,700,000

Ship Canal Commons

October 2011

Federal, State, County, City

$9,000,000

Coast Guard Site

October 2011

Federal

$6,100,000

Gallagher Beach / Times Beach

May 2012

Federal

$1,400,000

Mutual Riverfront Park

Summer 2012

NYPA Funding

$24,000,000

Union Ship Canal

Fall 2012

Federal (Recovery Act)

$2,000,000

Wilkeson Pointe 

May 2013

NYPA Relicensing Proceeds

$3,300,000

Industrial Heritage Trail, Tifft Street Pier & Lake Kirsty Pier

Ongoing

Federal

$4,200,000

Ohio Street

Begins Fall 2013

Federal & City

$11,300,000







Total

$124,000,000

 

 

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