Congressman Brian Higgins, New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan and other local leaders laid out a plan that would once and for all take the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) out of the waterfront business.
In a letter to NFTA Commissioners Higgins wrote, “It is undeniable that this public land has remained in the wrong public hands for too long…The land is not poised to serve its highest and best use…Is clear that NFTA must relinquish its waterfront holdings finally and forever.”
"The NFTA needs to get back to their core mission of public transportation, and I have been encouraged by the NFTA's recent actions in that regard," said Assemblyman Ryan. "The time has come for the NFTA to get out of the business of owning waterfront land and follow this plan to transfer ownership to ECHDC. Preserving public access to these important public assets must be the guiding principle going forward, and ECHDC is the best entity to develop this property going forward."
“This proposal will accomplish the dual goals of sparking further waterfront redevelopment while ensuring local transportation needs are met,” said Senator Kennedy. “Western New York wants progress now. Coming together behind this common-sense solution will allow us to take the next step forward to provide Western New Yorkers with the waterfront they deserve and the transportation services they need. A redeveloped waterfront and comprehensive transit systems are critical to our regional economic future – this plan will help us achieve those aims.”
More than $125 million in infrastructure investments along the Outer Harbor in recent years, including construction of the new Parkway, is drawing more people and activity to this portion of Buffalo's waterfront. However, nearly six decades of control of hundreds of acres of prime Outer Harbor land by a public authority that has transportation, not waterfront development, as its core mission has resulted in minimal investments historically and left the fate of this property in limbo.
Since the formation of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), Buffalo's inner harbor has seen incredible progress drawing more than 500,000 people to the Commercial Slip. Public investment is delivering the first private sector interest and activity on Buffalo’s waterfront – over $80 million in private investment to date.
Over the last several weeks leaders have been working to develop and gain support for a bold plan to change the course of Buffalo’s waterfront and fight decades of inertia along the Outer Harbor.
Under the proposal:
- Over 384 acres of property currently under control of the NFTA will be transferred to the ECHDC for $1 by October of 2012.
- Upon transfer, ECHDC will invest more than $11 million in improvements into the site including: restaurant expansion; clean-up and greening of the land; creation of a sand beach at Gallagher Beach; breakwall rehab including bike and pedestrian path extension, decorative lighting and benches; as well as dredging of the waterway.
- Revenue from economic activity generated at the Small Boat Harbor and other portions of the property will be redirected for future Outer Harbor site enhancements.
“Agencies and leaders have the opportunity to come together to do what’s right for our city and our waterfront,” added Higgins. “Releasing the NFTA’s 58 year hold on Outer Harbor property allows the transit agency to refocus on its mission to move people and puts waterfront development in the hands of the accomplished waterfront agency. We are just beginning to see the promise our waterfront holds, this is the next logical step in the process.”
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Proposal to Transfer NFTA Outer Harbor Land to ECHDC
Public infrastructure is a public responsibility; public access must remain in the public domain. These guiding principles are visibly realized by the more than $125M investment by various levels of government in Buffalo’s Outer Harbor in the past six years, most notably the Outer Harbor Parkway. This significant public investment must be protected and promoted to its highest and best use.
Proposal: NFTA Transfer all Outer Harbor Properties to ECHDC
- Parties agree that as the responsible agency for waterfront development, ECHDC is the logical choice to take controlling interest of the NFTA Outer Harbor Land – including 120 acre Lakeside Meadows Greenfield (formerly the Pier), 60 acre Terminals A/B, 204 acre Small Boat Harbor/Gallagher Beach by October, 2012
- Determine most effective, efficient way to transfer ownership for $1.
- ECHDC identifies/secures necessary resources to complete transfer and implement infrastructure improvements
- NFTA relinquishes any financial claim to revenues generated from this property
- ECHDC will agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and hold the NFTA harmless from and against any and all environmental concerns.
- Upon transfer, ECHDC will immediately direct resources to priority infrastructure projects:
- $4M Harbor Breakwall Rehabilitation - address erosion, extend bike path and sidewalk onto the break wall along with lighting, park benches and addition of four observation decks.
- $3M Dredging – est. 115,000 cy (cubic yards) to be removed and disposed
- $2M Restaurant expansion/upgrades to address demand and increase profitability
- $500K Full Scale Sand Beach development at Gallagher Beach
- $2M Clean-up, grading, import fill and top soil, install lawn cover and seed mix along 120 acre Outer Harbor Park (Lakeside Meadows Greenfield)
- This work will be guided by 2008 Buffalo Outer Harbor/Lakeside Meadows Greenfield Project MOU, recommendations from the Buffalo Harbor BOA (Brownfield Opportunity Area) and the experience of the BUDC (Buffalo Urban Development Corporation) and its subsidiary, BBRC (Buffalo Brownfield Restoration Corporation) in environmental cleanup and reclaimed land for development.
- Support all efforts to increase revenue potential at Small Boat Harbor through increased slip rentals, bike rentals, concessions and restaurant expansion.
- Parties agree that revenue from the economic activity generated at the Small Boat Harbor will be directed for Outer Harbor site improvements and enhancements of the public’s access to the water’s edge; including new and/or expanded restaurant facilities.
- Work to identify/secure additional funding with potential eligible sources including but not limited to – Federal, NYS, County, City, Niagara Greenway Commission – for example:
- Ohio Street Infrastructure Improvements $8M for design/construction – a reconstruction of this dynamic street to strengthen the multi-modal connections’ between Inner and Outer Harbor developments offers an ideal opportunity for the City of Buffalo’s stated interest in using capital resources and public works experience
- Buffalo and Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee – $2M available for eligible projects annually; Greenway Ecological Fund Standing Committee has $1M annually to award
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