If you want to find out whatis happening along Buffalois waterfront, then I suggest you take a tour with Dave Stebbins (Buffalo Urban Development Corporation) and Sarah Ham (Buffalo Niagara Partnership). The tour is a collaborative effort by several community groups, Working for Downtown, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation. These tours are free thanks to the generous support of M&T, Uniland Development, Empire State Development, and Gene McCarthy’s Tavern.
When talking about the waterfront, everyone has a different point of view. Some people imagine the Naval Park and the Small Boat Harbor. Others think of brownfields and the ice boom. Last week I took a micro-tour of the waterfront with Dave and Sarah. The two expressed that one of the reasons for this introduction is to re-connect Buffalonians with the projects that are helping to shape our shores of Lake Erie. There is a transition taking place (finally) from an industrial heritage to one of recreation and housing. The tour is an eye-opener that will leave you with a different perspective as to the future of the waterfront; a future that is taking shape now. Itis been a long time coming, and we have a long way to go, but here is a glimpse of a number of different sized projects that many Buffalonians might not be aware of.
The three-hour tour begins near Shanghai Reds Restaurant. It runs through the Naval Park where visitors can observe the re-creation of the Erie Canal Terminus. In that same area, the Donovan building is slated to come down while being replaced by a mix of retail and parking. There is also information provided in regards to the possibility of future development on the Webster Block in front of HSBC.
Moving onto the Wilkeson Plaza next to the DL&W Terminal, did you know that this small park has been re-opened to the public? There are park benches in place near the wateris edge as well as access to a walkway (located in front of the DL&W) along the Buffalo River. Learn about the Bricks for Buffalo project too (see photo in slide show).
The tour then passes through the Cobblestone District and a series of new developments taking place in that area. This is where the smell of Cheerios is ever-present in the air due to the proximity of the grain elevators. This is also where you can see just where the Seneca Nation has purchased property for the proposed casino.
Further down the road is the future location of a new public park that is soon to be underway. The Valley Community Association is the driving force behind that project. It is here that you can also see Father Conway Park; a piece of property that lays claim to the debris from the demolished Larkin Administration Building (no marker). Itis near Dead Manis Creek (filled with floating tree branches), which abuts the Ohio Street Canoe and Kayak Launch. So few are familiar with this area… itis time to learn about these hidden secrets which lay right under our noses.
Before you know it the tour has come to the Bison City Rod and Gun Club. Yes, itis in the city! This is a private club devoted to fishing andOe you guessed itOe there is a shooting range in the building. This stretch has also grown into a big biking area. The Ohio Street Bike Path and the Fuhrman Boulevard Trail will soon connect Lackawana to Tonawanda, and beyond. Biking enthusiasts finally have the ability of exploring trails that extend for miles and miles.
Next up is the NFTA Small Boat Harbor and Boat LaunchOe you might be familiar with this, as Bro has covered the project on numerous occasions. Further down the road is the Union Ship Canal where the new Cobey development project can be seen taking form. There are 270 acres here devoted to new public spaces and a private economic development park – Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park. Roadways and sewers are already in place (for the most part), and the area has begun to see activity for the first time in years. 200 feet on either side of the ship canal will be set aside for public recreational uses. This is also the area that Tifft Nature Preserve can be foundOe an absolutely incredible preserve that is located minutes from just about anywhere in downtown Buffalo.
Then it is onward to check out the new Buffalo Lakefront Development Project. This is the site where Opus and Uniland have announced future waterfront development plans. It is also the area where the ice booms are kept (for now), and private marinas can be found in the shadows of the cityis grain elevators. This is also an area that we might hopefully see a section of the current Coast Guard property opened to the public (Brian Higgins).
What is really amazing about the above-mentioned stretch (Phase 2 Times Beach Nature Preserve) is the newly laid walking trail that coincides with the recent addition of bike trails. If you have not paid a visit to this area yet, it is a wonderful sight to see. The beach is nestled in with the sailboats and the occasional freighter (the Courtney Burton was docked last week), and is home to an incredible number of birdsOe and it is all within view of downtownis office buildings.
Around the corner is the future home of 1000 new housing units consisting of townhouses and apartments. The tour will also drive along the stretch of land where a proposed canal will (hopefully) be dug and would run through the middle of these communities. This canal will also be open to the public for walking and bike riding purposesOe unlike much of the past waterfront development projects where the city excluded the public from any sort of interaction with the water. There is also a $4,000,000 improvement plan to re-establish the nearby lakeside fish habitatOe can you say Bass Pro? This is right where the Allen Boat Building (major eyesore) was recently taken down. These park amenities will all be available to the public.
As the tour winds down, Squaw Island Park and the River Walk Trail come into the picture. This is the second largest waterfront park in the city. The Black Rock Locks make for an interesting visit and not many people even know that they are there. The entranceway off Niagara is currently being re-worked because there has never been any sort of formal entranceway to this public park; a sprawling park filled with ponds, bike paths, and rolling grass fields.
Last but not least the tour ends up with a visit to the West Side Rowing Club and the future site of the Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse. The country’s largest rowing club will one day be located next to one of the worldis most famous boathouses. They are also situated next to Front Park, which is also going through a series of capital improvements.
This tour is designed to promote our rediscovery of Lake Erie and all that it has to offer. Itis an incredible tour that will give you a different outlook as to the future of Buffalois waterfront.
Volunteers have been working collaboratively with Working for Downtown, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, and the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise to bring you the second annual Waterfront Development Tour, featuring Buffalo’s past, present, and future development along the waterfront.
Who: Anyone interested in learning about waterfront development first hand
What: A three hour walking and bus tour along Buffalo’s historic waterfront featuring people who are making these exciting projects happen. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
When: May 16th, 1:00pm
June 3, 9:00am
June 16, 1:00pm
Where: Walking tours depart promptly from the Irish Famine Memorial across from Shanghai Reds at the Erie Basin Marina and return to the same location Parking is available across from Shanghai Reds
Cost: FREE, thanks to the generous support of area businesses who care about our waterfront!
Please RSVP to waterfront@thepartnership.org, but hurry, tours fill up fast!