Update July 9/2012: Thank you to all who submitted their feedback work books from the “Exploring Options & Making Choices” open houses. The consultant team is now working on reading and analysing your comments. You can still view the work book and presentation materials by visiting the the Buffalo Harbor, Buffalo River Corridor, or Tonawanda Street Corridor homepage for the materials, or check out the “Project Downloads” sidebar on this page.
The City of Buffalo has been awarded three Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) grants from the New York State Department of State. This funding is to be used to undertake three Step 2 Nomination studies at important Brownfield Opportunity Areas throughout the City of Buffalo: the Buffalo Harbor BOA, the Buffalo River Corridor BOA, and the Tonawanda Street Corridor BOA (see each BOA’s project page for more information on each site).
The study will be led by the City of Buffalo Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning (OSP). The OSP has retained the expertise of land use, environmental, and economic consultants to formulate the three BOA Nomination Documents, and manage the study process.
Check this website regularly for dates and information on upcoming meetings, project bulletins, project materials and other resources. The updates page features the most recent happenings for all three BOAs, while the sidebar on the right will allow you to filter updates for each specific study area.
What is the BOA program?
The Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program enables communities to put strategies in place to return dormant brownfield sites back to productive use while simultaneously restoring environmental quality. The Step 2 Nomination Study will provide in-depth analysis of existing conditions, opportunities, and reuse potential for properties located in these three BOA areas. The study process is anticipated to run from November 2011 to Fall 2012.
What is the opportunity for Buffalo?
The three BOAs provide exciting opportunities for the City of Buffalo due to their strategic locations within the city. Together, the BOAs have the potential to contribute to the City of Buffalo’s revitalization, and improve the neighborhoods around them. Once completed, the land use and built form components of the three BOA studies will complement and be incorporated into the City’s new Green Code.
Where are the sites?
Click to view a larger version.
Who are the project funders and who are the BOA partners?
The New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) is the primary project funder of the BOA program, funding 90% of eligible project costs. There are also important project partners for each BOA who provide additional funding, and who will work closely with City staff and the consultant team during the study process.
The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) is project partner for the Buffalo River Corridor BOA and Tonawanda Street Corridor BOA, providing 10% of eligible project costs for each BOA project.
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeepers are co-applicants for the Buffalo River Corridor BOA, providing technical support for the project.
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is the project partner for the Buffalo Harbor BOA, providing up to $50,000 towards project costs.
Who is the key contact?
Questions or comments regarding the BOA study can be forwarded to:
Dennis Sutton,
Brownfield Coordinator, Office of Strategic Planning
dsutton@city-buffalo.com
716-851-6587
