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Buffalo Harbor State Park seeks partner

by jmaloni

Submitted

Tue, Sep 16th 2014 04:45 pm

Operator sought to run marina at newest state park on Buffalo waterfront

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have released a request for proposals to identify an operator for the 1,037-slip boat marina and ancillary services at Buffalo Harbor State Park.

The RFP calls for an experienced marina operator to operate, maintain and improve facilities that include the marina, a restaurant building, parking spaces and several smaller buildings. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Oct. 29. The lease would begin prior to the start of the 2015 boating season.

The selected operator will recognize the importance the marina plays in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's vision for establishing the brand new Buffalo Harbor State Park and activating the City of Buffalo's Outer Harbor. State Parks has already begun investing in improvements to parkland adjacent to the marina by creating a destination playground, paths and park furnishings. ECHDC, which owns the land, also has designated nearly 200 acres immediately north of the marina for mixed-use waterfront development as part of an ongoing public planning process. It is expected the final plan for the northern Outer Harbor lands will be presented next month, envisioning a world-class mixed-use waterfront development that will combine open spaces and public waterfront access with well-needed economic activity and private investment.

The boating community invests millions of dollars in the Western New York economy each year, providing seasonal and year-round employment for those working on the waterfront and in the boating industry. The marina operator will be responsible for insuring quality customer service for boaters and visitors looking to have a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience. 

The successful proposal will be required to make capital improvements, maintain the public aspects of the marina, ensure efficient marina operations and provide excellent customer experiences for boaters - all while minimizing any future marina price increases.

"State Parks, in partnership with the ECHDC, is excited to bring on board a reliable marina operator as we continue to make improvements at Buffalo Harbor State Park," said Rose Harvey, State Parks commissioner. "The marina is a valuable asset to the Outer Harbor and it will continue to play a central role in the growth of our newest state park."

For more information or for a copy of the RFP, contact Steve Gawlik, senior counsel, at [email protected] or by calling 716-846-8257.

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