Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is advancing the Bell Slip improvement project, which will greatly enhance the property in a manner of ways. This site along the Outer Harbor will benefit from:
- Reorganizing the existing parking surface
- The creation of a comfort station with restrooms
- Enhanced landscaping
In order to get the project moving, the ECHDC has met and authorized several contracts with construction companies (see below).
“The Bell Slip improvement project will encourage and support more community use and public access on Buffalo’s waterfront,” said ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia. “These improvements build upon exciting projects recently completed or under construction projects at Canalside and the Outer Harbor and will further connect the city to its waterfront.”
Along with the site improvements, the project will also act as a connector between a streamlined Greenway Trail (for pedestrian traffic) and the Fuhrmann Greenway, at a new roundabout.
The comfort station will not only be a place for visitors to rest and wash up, it will also be an anchor point for a walking path at the edge of the slip, featuring an overlook.
An enhanced natural landscape will also play a role in the site improvements, with soil amendments, and the creation of a forested area, with meadows, grasslands, and pollinator fields. The Outer Harbor has become much-beloved, as a place of natural refuge for many birds and animals in recent years. As these waterfront development projects continue to unfold, there are factions of nature enthusiasts that have been urging the ECHDC to retain many of the natural aspects of the land, while integrating sensitive development that does not disrupt Mother Nature’s post-industrial progress.
As for the approved contracts associated with the Bell Slip improvement project, with contract terms running from September 2022 through December 31, 2023, they include:
- Sitework construction, awarded to Scott Lawn Yard at a contract amount not to exceed $2,231,571. Scott Lawn Yard’s scope of service will include clearing the existing paved site surfaces, establishing the site parameters, excavating for site utilities, installation of landscaping and fence materials, new surface walkways and drives, and site enclosures.
- General construction, awarded to Javen Construction Company, Inc. at a contract amount not to exceed $1,869,000. Javen Construction’s scope of services will include new steel framing, steel framing preparation and painting, metal stud framing and wallboard, building enclosures, interior finishes, and select site work adjacent to the building.
- Electrical construction, awarded to CIR Electrical Construction Corporation at a contract amount not to exceed $1,086,088. CIR Electric’s scope of service will include routing the new electric service from Fuhrmann Boulevard to the Bell Slip site, distribution of electric service within the Bell Slip site, and exterior lighting.
- Mechanical construction, awarded to M.K.S. Plumbing Corporation at a contract amount not to exceed $131,000. M.K.S. Plumbing’s scope of service will include routing the new mechanical and plumbing service from Fuhrmann Boulevard to the Bell Slip comfort station, distribution of gas and water lines, and installation of mechanical systems within the enclosed building.