The Erie County Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Board of Directors met today at 95 Perry Street and by phone with the New York City bureau to discuss contracts with various private contractors, the Aud demolition site and progress on the Harbor itself.
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium has been taken down, but its demolition was only one part of the fix. According to Larry Quinn and Jordan Levy, Bass Pro officials have been very vocal about the site, submitting designs and keeping in regular contact with ECHDC about moving forward. WNY builder Benderson has also working on designs, and Quinn discussed the likelihood of a public hearing in October to address the next stage of the project.
"This will be a symbol of the renaissance of Western New York," Director Jordan Levy said. "We'll deliver something that will exceed expectations."
On another note, DEMCO (the construction company contracted to demolish the Aud) managed to save historically significant stone and donated to the Buffalo Sabres Foundation at no cost to the taxpayer. The stone will be cut up and sold as mementos by the foundation.
The board also discussed the Inner Harbor Bridge proposal, as reported on Buffalo Rising. Buffalo Harbor Bridge Senior Project Manager Steve Ranalli spoke about the terms of the project, which includes "an aggressive EIS (Environmental Impact Study)" on the site, meetings with the Coast Guard to determine the type of bridge and bridge height, and meetings with General Mills, in regard to any impact the bridge would have on the efficiency of their operations. GM is looking for a bridge that will be best for Buffalo and for them. Ranalli plans on finalizing project specifications by June 2011.
Mayor Brown pointed out that this project would be Buffalo's submission for a portion of a possible $300 million Federal T.I.G.E.R. (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from New York State. This project would require around $100 million. The grant generally doles out money in $20-$30 million increments, and Buffalo would certainly not want to miss out on any of that money, according to Brown.
"The Inner Harbor Bridge would be a community-based ask, to benefit the city and entire region," Mayor Brown said. "This would be a collaborative effort between the city and the ECHDC."
Jordan Levy mentioned that he will be meeting with Senator Schumer soon, and will certainly inform him that the entire region would benefit from Federal funds for the bridge.
Mayor Brown voiced his concerns over use of minority workers in ECHDC projects and was assured by the board that this was not a problem. On the Aud site, minority workers made up 32 percent of the 27,000 logged man-hours. They also pointed out that they meet and regularly exceed the minimum affirmative action requirements on projects. Finally, despite the fact that there isn't legislation dictating it, the ECHDC also tries to employ as many city residents as possible.
The board concluded with a discussion about the Commercial Slip multi-story, mixed use parking garage to be erected at the Marine Drive parking lot. The elevated garage will include 1,200 parking spaces (two-thirds covered), with free spots for Marine Drive tenants and the mixed use exterior facing Canal Side and the harbor. The $1 million project will be paid for with a mixture of 80 percent Federal funds, and 20 percent ECHDC monies. A site has not yet been chosen for temporary parking for residents while the garage is built.
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Buffalo Memorial Auditorium has been taken down, but its demolition was only one part of the fix. According to Larry Quinn and Jordan Levy, Bass Pro officials have been very vocal about the site, submitting designs and keeping in regular contact with ECHDC about moving forward. WNY builder Benderson has also working on designs, and Quinn discussed the likelihood of a public hearing in October to address the next stage of the project.
"This will be a symbol of the renaissance of Western New York," Director Jordan Levy said. "We'll deliver something that will exceed expectations."
On another note, DEMCO (the construction company contracted to demolish the Aud) managed to save historically significant stone and donated to the Buffalo Sabres Foundation at no cost to the taxpayer. The stone will be cut up and sold as mementos by the foundation.
The board also discussed the Inner Harbor Bridge proposal, as reported on Buffalo Rising. Buffalo Harbor Bridge Senior Project Manager Steve Ranalli spoke about the terms of the project, which includes "an aggressive EIS (Environmental Impact Study)" on the site, meetings with the Coast Guard to determine the type of bridge and bridge height, and meetings with General Mills, in regard to any impact the bridge would have on the efficiency of their operations. GM is looking for a bridge that will be best for Buffalo and for them. Ranalli plans on finalizing project specifications by June 2011.
Mayor Brown pointed out that this project would be Buffalo's submission for a portion of a possible $300 million Federal T.I.G.E.R. (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from New York State. This project would require around $100 million. The grant generally doles out money in $20-$30 million increments, and Buffalo would certainly not want to miss out on any of that money, according to Brown.
"The Inner Harbor Bridge would be a community-based ask, to benefit the city and entire region," Mayor Brown said. "This would be a collaborative effort between the city and the ECHDC."
Jordan Levy mentioned that he will be meeting with Senator Schumer soon, and will certainly inform him that the entire region would benefit from Federal funds for the bridge.
Mayor Brown voiced his concerns over use of minority workers in ECHDC projects and was assured by the board that this was not a problem. On the Aud site, minority workers made up 32 percent of the 27,000 logged man-hours. They also pointed out that they meet and regularly exceed the minimum affirmative action requirements on projects. Finally, despite the fact that there isn't legislation dictating it, the ECHDC also tries to employ as many city residents as possible.
The board concluded with a discussion about the Commercial Slip multi-story, mixed use parking garage to be erected at the Marine Drive parking lot. The elevated garage will include 1,200 parking spaces (two-thirds covered), with free spots for Marine Drive tenants and the mixed use exterior facing Canal Side and the harbor. The $1 million project will be paid for with a mixture of 80 percent Federal funds, and 20 percent ECHDC monies. A site has not yet been chosen for temporary parking for residents while the garage is built.
Will this fix the jobs issues in Western New York and start bringing the hundreds of thousands of Western New Yorkers back? Will this build complete corporate ladder chains in more than just two or three industries from entry level to corporate execs so those out of college can land jobs fairly quickly in their field out of school? I appluad the efforts to develop the waterfront and its great to see development promised so many times over so many decades actually break free and happen but without population growth, employment growth, positive buzz, etc. I wonder how much the inner harbor will be able to do for Buffalo and Western New York and will it truly represent the rennaissance of Western New York? Though its true the area is doing things to improve itself and become more attractive, reduce the eyesore rust belt image its had I wonder what "rennaisance" really means? I would think it meant market growth, expendable income growth, a region with an aweful lot of "come here's". Buffalo and Western New York are still very much insulated as far as I am concerned and this is both a positive and negative thing. Its positive for instance in that the region hasnt had such high development pressures that the area has been able to lose alot yet maintain many of its historic structures and now it can seek to presrve them. Development pressures havent totally overrun the city and removed nearly all elements of the past. Its bad because its stagnant, people still leave, many of the old time mentalities still exist and there arent many outsider perspectives to draw from, the market doesnt grow so the big developers hold back or cant justify the new projects people want. With a lack of growth and in fact decrease in population I wonder if this won't end up being just another way to shuffle of the deck? What district must die for the inner harbor to bloom and prosper? I am all for inner and outer harbor development but...