As the number of industrial uses along the Buffalo River continues to dwindle, one site is being considered for a cleaner, more public use. A partnership made up of Doug Swift, Earl Ketry, and John Williams are planning an entertainment complex for the Grange League Federation (GLF) elevator site at 327 Ganson Street. Among the interesting uses are two ice rinks, indoor and outdoor concert venues, restaurants, bars, public access to the Buffalo River, and eventually a hotel.
Plans for Buffalo RiverWorks are gelling quickly. The developers are working with Labbatt’s USA to have their annual pond hockey tournament on the two planned refrigerated rinks in February. The rinks will be open air for the 2014 event but next year will see the construction of an unwalled structure that will cover the ice. The rink complex and overall project has been designed to fit in with the area’s industrial heritage.
“We’re excited about the Labbatt’s Pond Hockey Tournament coming to the site,” says Doug Swift. “They’ve had trouble holding the event in the past because of uncooperative weather. The rinks will kick-start the project.”
Much of the first phase of the project is expected to open by Memorial Day including patios, parking and some of the restaurant operations. The project is being designed with an industrial aesthetic according to Swift.
“There will be construction throughout the summer and we plan to be fully open next fall,” says Swift. Up to 200 people will be employed at the site.
The rink facility will be used year round with hockey and curling during the winter and roller hockey, broom ball or other activities during the summer. The rink shed can also be converted to a concert area holding 5,000 people.
There will also be an indoor stage in an exhibition hall that could accommodate 5,000 people. The concert venue and rink facility will be joined by an atrium space.
Earl Ketry, who now has several food venues downtown including Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, Pan American Grill, and hotel operations at Lofts on Pearl and Hotel at Lafayette, will be handling the restaurant and bar operations. There will be three table-service restaurant areas with different food selections including one in the ‘six pack’ silo building. There will also be seasonal food operations and five bar areas.
A beer garden is planned for the site of the demolished silos at the south end of the property. The silo remnants, called “Buffalo’s Stonehenge” by Swift, will be filled with sand to create an ‘artificial beach.’ A number of multi-level patio areas are also planned.
There will be on-site parking for 500 vehicles. Swift calls the site “off the beaten path, but easily accessible” and notes it is within walking distance of the Cobblestone District’s substantial parking.
Swift’s group will be working with the Valley Community Center and other neighborhood stakeholders to create a vision for the Ganson Street area including access improvements. While Ohio Street will be getting wide-ranging streetscape improvements, Swift says Ganson Street infrastructure can be upgraded while retaining the area’s industrial feel.
One of the key attributes to the site is the Buffalo River access and Swift says that will be enhanced.
“There is an existing 720 feet long concrete wharf that will be improved upon and there will be public access along the riverfront including boat docks,” says Swift. “Long-term, we’d like to work with neighboring properties to extend the waterfront walkway. We believe this site can be a catalyst for the river corridor while not disturbing our existing manufacturing neighbors. The character of the river is changing towards a more recreational use but we want to fit in.”
Longer-term, a hotel is planned for the property. Swift says the hotel likely would not be built in the next five years but is envisioned at eight to ten floors with 120 rooms. The hotel would be incorporated into the silo ruins.
The initial phases of the project are likely to cost in the $12 to $15 million range with the hotel an additional $20 million.
Swift says the Ganson Street side of the river is not appropriate for residential, at least for now.
“I see Ganson Street riverfront for public access and an entertainment zone,” says Swift. “It will not happen overnight, but I envision the Buffalo River corridor becoming Buffalo’s version of San Antonio’s River Walk.”