Advertisement
November 12, 2009 11:00 PM
Comments: 21
Full speed ahead! The $4.4 million reconstruction of downtown Buffalo's historic Inner Harbor street grid is underway. With Canal Side's tight deadline looming over the Erie Canal Harbor development team, workers can be seen putting up the bones for new streets.
The work will consist of the four cobblestone streets including Prime, Lloyd, Perry, and Hanover. Installation of granite curbing is nearly complete. Exposed aggregate concrete sidwalks, new street lighting, landscaping, and traffic signal work will contribute to the historic character of the Inner Harbor, designed to align with the existing street grid as much as possible, while retaining its historic location.
The reconstruction project calls for the use of cobble pavers salvaged from the site; cobbles salvaged from Genesee Street in the city and cobbles salvaged from old cobblestone streets that match the existing pavers in Buffalo, but were once in place in Cleveland, Ohio. The City's Department of Public Works is overseeing the work.
The street network is scheduled to be completed next summer. Construction on Bass Pro and initial Canal Side components is expected to get underway in the spring.
Updated photos: Nathan Mroz (Buffalonian4life)
Leave a comment
Sponsor
Sponsor
- For Rent UB area , Main Street Storefront
- New Downtown Restaurant
- A Fiesta for Buffalo ReUse!
- Music Lessons with a Signed Recording Artist
- Dance Film Screening
- Corpus Christi to Hold Lenten Talks
- Lovely Yorkie Puppy For Adoption
- Art Exhibit
- Auxiliary Magazine Launch at Cats Like Us
- ESTATE SALE FEB 5 & 6 9,4 11508 TOMARSUE,
November 12, 2009 11:13 PM
Off topic, but when will construction on the 600 Block (Theater District) of Main Street finally start?
November 13, 2009 12:06 AM
Just heard they're aiming for June/July '10
November 13, 2009 4:46 AM
This is great to see. I know it's a small detail compared to the whole Canal Side picture (all of which I hope succeeds, is built well, and compliments things around it) but this is one of my favorite parts of the area. Once you know the incredible history of the harbor it is hard not to route for things that honor it's past and help the future.
November 13, 2009 8:51 AM
Nice to see some progress. Looks like in the top photo they have a road going directly into one of the supports of the skyway. Perhaps a truck will "accidentally" Smash into it making the skyway unsafe. Wishful thinking anyway. I'm looking forward to reading complaints that they're using the wrong curb stone, as if that's going to be huge negative impact even with so many other bigger issues out there.
November 13, 2009 9:03 AM
Good lord one of the skyway uprights cuts into the Hanover street right of way? Really? Sure as heck example of how this damn skyway cheapens this project. Its just silly to put in a street with concrete pillars rising up out of the ROW. The top picture shows this.
November 13, 2009 9:06 AM
They going to run sidewalks right into the pillars as well on that side of Hanover Street? Talk about ruining the streetscape and pedestrian corridor. If the hope was to create a vista connecting to the water I can't see how this helps.
November 13, 2009 9:28 AM
You guys should thank Brian Higgins and the Route 5 Reconstruction team...
November 13, 2009 9:36 AM
It'll be great to hang out under the 4-lane highway soon or maybe even rent an "upscale apartment" under it. If Brown had any real clout or vision, he'd close the Skyway and say "That's it" and leave it closed until it is gone. It would be a great tv opportunity for him too, standing in front of the ramps downtown and declaring it "a defining day for the City of Buffalo." If people can find their way around when it is closed for inclement weather, they certainly could do it in the sunshine.
November 13, 2009 10:22 AM
It would indeed be "terrible" if some sort of heavy equipment being used for Canal Side were to have an "accident" that seriously damages those Skyway piers.
November 13, 2009 4:09 PM
while i'm the last one who would stand up for leaving the skyway, you should check out the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn. or the Borough Market in London. the cover of the overhead structure can add to the area (while its still up), and hopefully someday it will be just a memory.
November 13, 2009 7:48 PM
DUSKBO? OMG there is a way to get market-rate rents out of the Marine Drive Apts!
November 13, 2009 10:32 AM
The skyway will come down.
November 13, 2009 10:40 AM
The skyway does look out of place and cuts through a street and sidewalk. Not very pedestrian friendly in what is suppost to be a "Destination". Good ol' Buffalo with it's wishfull thinking (I'm talking about it's planners)
November 13, 2009 10:55 AM
Thanks for the pictures.
I have my fingers crossed that the whole inner harbor project will work. So far so good.
Can't wait for a restaurant/bar to open up on the new prime street...a la pearl street pub.
Go Buffalo.
November 13, 2009 11:27 AM
It is great to see concept drawings turning in to reality. Excellent job Erie Canal Harbor.
November 13, 2009 12:03 PM
I was down there on tuesday and was surprised at how much work they got done so far. It is awkward to see one of the streets lead you right in to a pillar from the skyway but to my understanding they are constructing a roundabout around that pillar, which is not historically accurate but who cares anymore, just get it done! Does anyone know when they will start excavating the prime slip?
Also, personally, I would love to see an ESPN Sports Zone built down on the Inner Harbor. You would be surprised how many people this sports bar draws in. With HSBC arena right there, it makes sense, and it will be packed when the Sabres make it to the playoffs.
November 13, 2009 2:09 PM
eh. eh..... Buffalo. Not Baltimore. No Reservations put them on the same episode but not the same city. It's bad enough that so much hope is riding on Bass Pro. I'd rather see a local business become the "Sports Zone" and have those customers. PS ESPN blows. It doesn't have to be an ESPN bar for a place downtown to be packed IF the Sabres WERE in the playoffs. Beside, I'd rather go to a BUFFALO bar, and a HOCKEY FRIENDLY bar for a Sabres game. It's been years since ESPN even mentioned the sport.
November 13, 2009 2:13 PM
If they were to attract a national chain Like ESPN Zone I'd rather see a House of Blues or even Hardrock Cafe. All in all I would prefer it to be local with a mix of some national chain retail, that way I don't have to rely on a mall for the three stores I shop at anyway!
November 13, 2009 7:30 PM
Locally owned bar> corporate chain bar
November 13, 2009 10:28 PM
understatement. far greater than chain bar
November 15, 2009 10:13 AM
Is the Skyway really that terrible? It is in good shape and there has to be an entry point to the city from rt. 5- would it be better if it were ground level, where people would have to cross a four lane to get around it?