The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Board of Directors today selected Safe Harbor Development of Tennessee to operate the Buffalo Harbor State Park marina on the outer harbor for the next 25 years, with two 10 year options. The company expects to invest $10 million into the facility over the next five years including a $5 million investment in the restaurant at the site along with new docks. The company’s goal is create a destination for slip owners and others. Ten firms responded to the RFP that was issued last fall.
The property includes a 1,037-slip boat marina, an 8,000 square-foot restaurant and administration building, 214 parking spaces largely devoted to restaurant patrons, bait shop, storage building, and a boat repair and sale building. The site is also immediately adjacent to a larger, parking lot to the east (320 cars, or 174 cars plus 74 trailers) that serves both marina slip holders and general park visitors.
Safe Harbor Development Corporation currently operates marinas, restaurants, RV parks, entertainment facilities and housing developments throughout Tennessee. Along with operations of the marina, Safe Harbor will also oversee the parking lots related to the marina and several buildings on the property.
Safe Harbor’s proposed capital plan includes, among other features, dock replacement, slip layout redesign and the expected construction of a new full-service restaurant on site.
“Safe Harbor Development is committed to improving the marina at Buffalo Harbor State Park and, in the process, Buffalo’s revitalized waterfront,” said Safe Harbor Development LLC Owner Darby Campbell. “We have a winning track record that builds on successful public-private partnerships to create a quality destination that combines marinas with restaurants and other activities. Thanks to the many successful initiatives launched by Governor Cuomo, I personally am thrilled to build on Buffalo’s resurgence to make Buffalo Harbor State Park the place to be.”
Existing slip holders will receive their agreements within the next ten days and those interested in a slip for the 2015 boating season can call (716) 828-0027 to be placed on a waiting list. As marina improvements are made over the next several years, modest increased slip fees, including a 7-percent rise in 2015, will transform the marina into a first-rate destination for boaters and visitors alike.
Buffalo Harbor State Park, the first state park in the City of Buffalo, was designated as a state park by Governor Andrew Cuomo in September 2013.
ECHDC board members did not receive an update on the proposed new buildings on the Aud Block. WGRZ reports that just one firm submitted a proposal. Sources say that firm is not Benderson.