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Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. met Monday and took several actions, including exterior signage design approval for the Buffalo Heritage Carousel (BHC) and longshed at Canalside.
“These actions further advance the Buffalo Heritage Carousel and longshed projects, which are key elements of the Canalside site as it is built out,” ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia said. “The new signage is consistent with Canalside’s design guidelines and will complement other signage on the site.”
The Buffalo Heritage Carousel has proposed a full-color sign displaying the carousel name, KeyBank (BHC funding sponsor), and Canalside logos. Located on the southeast corner facing Main Street, the 5-by-7-foot sign will be framed in wood that matches the carousel gazebo’s exterior. An additional metal sign, displaying a description of the carousel and its operating hours, will also be placed on a wood totem near the carousel that matches the current sign installation at Canalside.
The longshed building will host the Buffalo Maritime Center during the construction of a replica packet boat set to be launched in time for the Erie Canal bicentennial in 2025. During its temporary tenancy, the Buffalo Maritime Center’s signage will be limited. A wood-framed, color sign, measuring 10 feet by almost 7 feet, will depict the packet boat under construction within the longshed building, as well as brief descriptions and logos for Canalside, Buffalo Waterfront and the Buffalo Maritime Center. This sign will be mounted on the longshed in line with the building’s large overhead door. The Buffalo Maritime Center has also commissioned an approximately 11-by-4-foot bronze sculpture relief to be displayed below the Buffalo Maritime Center sign at the longshed. It is anticipated the sculpture will remain at the longshed building.
Both signage projects were formally reviewed by the Canalside design review committee (DRC) to determine their consistency with the Canalside design guidelines. After their technical review, the DRC recommended ECHDC approve the exterior signs as they were presented. The Carousel and longshed’s exterior signage was referred to the City of Buffalo director of planning for review and consideration in July in in order to adhere to Canalside’s design guidelines approval process and the city had “no comments” on the sign design.
Other actions taken by the board include:
•Authorization to enter into an amendment with Verizon for Donovan Block utility relocations. The amendment is not to exceed $64,432. Cost increases were due to escalation from the two-year lag from estimate to project completion, and minor adjustments in scope.
•Approval of ECHDC’s adjusted operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2020-21. The adjustment is due to increased insurance premium allocations.
The ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two nonvoting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York state governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corp. (dba Empire State Development) as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two nonvoting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County executive and the City of Buffalo mayor.
As a subsidiary of ESD, 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 that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. For more information on ECHDC, visit here.