The information panels, presentation, and feedback workbook from the June 26 open house are now available for download :

Exploring Options & Making Choices: Open House #3
June 26, 2012
Presentation Slides [PDF 23.2 mb]
Information Panels [PDF 4.3 mb]
Feedback Workbook [PDF 9.6 mb]

The consultant team is currently in the process of reading and analysing the submitted workbooks. However, you can always forward your comments on the BOA project to the BOA Manager:

Gary Witulski:
gwitulski@city-buffalo.com
920 City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo NY 14202
716-851-4272

Comprised of 1039 acres of land, the Buffalo Harbor Brownfield Opportunity Area is the largest of the three BOAs. Edging Lake Erie, the Buffalo Harbor BOA runs from Erie Basin Village and the downtown core in the north to just south of the Holcim cement site in the south at the Lackawanna / Buffalo boundary. Linear in shape, the southern portion is bound by Highway 5 to the east and Lake Erie to the west, while the northern portion of the study area is more irregular in shape and follows Michigan Avenue and along West Seneca Street through the downtown and extends as far north as Carolina Street.

The northern portion of the BOA is a highly mixed use area containing commercial and employment uses, housing, parks, a nature preserve, the mouth of the Buffalo River, regional recreational attractions and important institutional uses (mainly located in the central business district). In contrast, south of Michigan Avenue the southern area is dominated by vacant land, punctuated by several of Buffalo’s waterside landmarks, including Holcim Cement Plant, the NFTA terminal building, several waters slips, a small boat harbor, the Cargill Elevator and a number of vacant grain elevators.

Having served as one of Buffalo’s most important destination for heavy industry, the study area contains approximately 50 potential brownfield sites. Many of these brownfield sites are located adjacent to the lake and are the result of industries choosing to locate to secure water access or through the creation of land using industrial waste. More than 120 acres of harbor side land has been artificially constructed using industrial fill, forever changing the city’s shoreline.

Although still industrial in character, the area has benefitted from recent investment in its public realm along Fuhrmann Boulevard. In addition, five waterside node projects are planned or under construction along the harbor. These initiatives are important for changing the perception of the area and creating an environment where investment can occur to support the sustainable development of the region’s economy. The mission for the Buffalo Harbor BOA is continue these enhancements, improve public waterfront access, restore watershed ecology, conserve waterfront heritage and create continued opportunities for new waterside investment.

Key Contact:

Gary Witulski
Buffalo Harbor BOA Project Manager
gwitulski@city-buffalo.com
716-851-4272

Key Links:

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
Great Lakes Water Sport Institute
Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club
Lighthouse Friends
Earthcam
New York Power Authority
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority