The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) board of directors today awarded a $1,771,693 construction monitoring services contract to LiRo Engineers, Inc. for impending Canal Side project-related work. In addition, the harbor corporation formally recommended that the Empire State Development (ESD) board or directors officially adopt the Canal Side General Project Plan (GPP).
Under the $1.7 million contract with LiRo Engineers Inc., the company will be authorized to provide pre-construction services with regard to design of the Canal Side project's proposed public canal features and infrastructure elements, as well as the below grade parking structure and Canal Side Hall building. Subsequent phases of work will proceed upon receipt of project approvals.
The ECHDC also formally recommended that ESD approve the Canal Side GPP during the parent corporation's upcoming December board of directors meeting. The GPP, which is required by Section 10(g) of the NYS Urban Development Corporation Act, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Canal Side project and details the associated economic benefits of revitalizing large swaths of previously underutilized waterfront lands in downtown Buffalo. Contents of the GPP include: project site summaries, backgrounds and history; environmental review specifications; land acquisition and usage details; design and construction process evaluation; cost benefit analysis; preliminary funding sources and uses information; required affirmative action program goals; as well as land zoning authority.
"Recommendation of the GPP is yet another important hurdle in our drive to make Canal Side a reality for the people of WNY," said ECHDC Chairman Jordan Levy. "This positive advancement is a direct result of the enhanced waterfront commitment offered by Governor Paterson and his team at the NYPA this past weekend, and we are extremely grateful for their efforts to bolster Canal Side and the overall revitalization effort."
According to preliminary figures included in the GPP, the Canal Side project is estimated to have a total price tag of $294,829,687, made up of both public and private investment. Funding sources include $154,100,000 in monies received from the New York Power Authority, New York State, the Federal Transit Authority, the Federal Highway Authority, and Empire State Development, as well as $140,880,000 in projected private financing.
Proposed Canal Side project expenditures include $112,249,687 for major public infrastructure improvements, including: public canals, towpaths, lighting, canopies, signage, canal bridge spans, replica packet boats and barges, improved streetscapes, floating docks, public parking options, the Prime Slip, Canal Side Hall, the Gateway Building, the Atrium Building, design costs, contingencies, and other canal district/inner harbor improvements.
Bass Pro Shops will continue to receive an inducement package through the funding plan, as originally set forth in a pre-development agreement executed by the company and ECHDC in late-2007. In addition, a $4,000,000 incentive will be utilized to help attract a second anchor tenant to Canal Side. Private development efforts are expected to make-up the remainder of the total project cost, to the tune of $140,880,000.
Work is expected to start next June.
I know its probably outlined somewhere, but when or what phase do they start building the Bass Pro?
After they dig the rest of the Canal, Infrastructure, etc?
Bass pro goes in as soon as they commit, I imagine. Probably prior to the canal extension. But who the hell knows...
Bass Pro cannot legally commit until the full environmental docs are ready. I believe that opportunity period is finally coming up soon (Jan/Feb). Others may know the exact date.
Today, Business First (BF) is reporting that Marriott is considering two hotels, presumably the talked about one in the Donovan Bldg. and the other near the wharf area.
BF is also reporting there is a $4M incentive for one other major retail anchor. Talks are in the works and was not named.