erie canal harbor master plan (2004)

ERIE CANAL HARBOR PROJECTBUFFALO, NEW YORK

DDRRAAFFTT MMAASSTTEERR PPLLAANN

M A RC H 2 0 0 4

Flynn Battaglia Architects, P.C. Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C. John Milner Associates, Inc. Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc Baer & Associates

Cover and inside leafVViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp aanndd pprrooppoosseedd BBooww SSttrriinngg BBrriiddggee ffrroomm SStteeaammsshhiipp HHootteell RRuuiinnssIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

ERIE CANAL HARBOR PROJECTBUFFALO, NEW YORK

DDRRAAFFTT MMAASSTTEERR PPLLAANN

M A RC H 2 0 0 4

Flynn Battaglia Architects, P.C. Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C. John Milner Associates, Inc. Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc Baer & Associates

PP rr oo jj ee cc tt SS pp oo nn ss oo rr ss Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC)Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA)County of ErieCity of Buffalo

Buffalo Sewer AuthorityU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CCiittyy ooff BBuuffffaalloo::Anthony Masiello, MayorJoseph N. Giambra, Commissioner, Department of Public WorksDaniel E. Kreuz, P.E., City EngineerDavid Stebbins, Waterfront Projects Coordinator

BBuuffffaalloo aanndd EErriiee CCoouunnttyy NNaavvaall aanndd MMiilliittaarryy PPaarrkk::Col. Patrick Cunningham, Executive Director

BBuuffffaalloo PPllaaccee::Michael Schmand, Executive Director

BBuuffffaalloo SSeewweerr AAuutthhoorriittyy::Anthony Hazan, General ManagerFrank DiMascio, P.E., Principal Sanitary Engineer

CCoonnggrreessssmmaann QQuuiinnnn''ss OOffffiiccee::Jack Quinn, U.S. House of Representatives, District 27Ron Hayes, Director, Community Development

CCoouunnttyy ooff EErriiee::Joel A. Giambra, County ExecutiveLaurence Rubin, Commissioner, Department of Environment & PlanningAndrew Eszak, Deputy Comissioner, Department of Environment &Planning

FFeeddeerraall TTrraannssiitt AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn::Letitia A. Thompson, Regional AdministratorAnthony G. Carr, Deputy Regional AdministratorNancy Danzig, Community PlannerIrwin B. Kessman, Director, Office of Program DevelopmentLarry Penner, Director, Office of Operations and Project Management

NNeeww YYoorrkk SSttaattee DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooff EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn::Gerald Mikol, Regional Director, Region 9Gerard Palumbo, Regional Water Engineer, Region 9

NNeeww YYoorrkk SSttaattee DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooff TTrraannssppoorrttaattiioonn::Gary V. Gottlieb, P.E., Acting Planning & Program Manager

NNeeww YYoorrkk SSttaattee TTrraannssppoorrttaattiioonn AAuutthhoorriittyy::Donald Hutton, Director, Dept of Operations-Executive StaffPaul F. Parker, P.E. Construction Supervisor - Buffalo Division

NNiiaaggaarraa FFrroonnttiieerr TTrraannssppoorrttaattiioonn AAuutthhoorriittyy::Vito Sportelli, Manager, Capital GrantsJohn Mecca, Senior Grants Specialist

PPaarrssoonnss BBrriinncckkeerrhhooffff QQuuaaddee && DDoouuggllaass,, IInncc..::John Hubert, P.E., Project ManagerPaul J. Tronolone, P.P., AICP, Advisor

UU..SS.. AArrmmyy CCoorrppss ooff EEnnggiinneeeerrss::Christine M. Brayman, Chief, Planning BranchMichael C. Smith, Project ManagerThomas C. Switala, Chief, Regulatory Branch

UUnniitteedd SSttaatteess CCooaasstt GGuuaarrdd::Paul M. Gugg, Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Office

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSMany people and organizations were central to the development of this Master Plan. Special thanks are extended to the following people for their involvementand support as this Master Plan unfolded.

DDEESSIIGGNN TTEEAAMMFFllyynnnn BBaattttaagglliiaa AArrcchhiitteeccttss,, PPCCPeter T. Flynn, AIA, Principal-in-Charge/Project DirectorSarah Reid, AIA, Project ManagerDavid I. Carli, AIA, ArchitectBlythe T. Merrill, Preservation Planner

MMaatthheewwss NNiieellsseenn LLaannddssccaappee AArrcchhiitteeccttss,, PPCCKim Mathews, ASLA, Principal/Project DirectorRunit Chhaya, Project Manager/Project DesignerDenise Hoffman, Landscape ArchitectJoanne Davis Rose, Landscape Designer

JJoohhnn MMiillnneerr AAssssoocciiaatteess,, IInncc..Peter Benton, AIA, Prinicipal/Project ManagerMatthew Roberson, Project Planner

CChheerrmmaayyeeffff && GGeeiissmmaarr,, IInncc..Keith Helmetag, Principal/Project Manager

BBaaeerr && AAssssoocciiaatteessRichard Baer, ChairmanKevin M. Mahoney, Vice PresidentVViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd NNaavvaall MMuusseeuumm ffrroomm tthhee CCrroossssrrooaaddss PPllaazzaa nneeaarr SSccootttt SSttrreeeett

Illustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

EERRIIEE CCAANNAALL HHAARRBBOORR PPRROOJJEECCTT DRAFT MASTER PLAN BUFFALO NEW YORK66

TThhee CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp BBrriiddggee,, cciirrccaa 11887700 Source: Collection of Buffalo and Erie County Public Library EErriiee CCaannaall -- oonnee ooff tthhee ggrreeaatteesstt iinntteerriimm wwaatteerrwwaayyss Source: Collection of Henry Baxter CCaannaall DDiissttrriicctt

Flynn Battaglia Architects P.C. Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects P.C. John Milner Associates, Inc. Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc, Baer & Associates 77

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SSiittee OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess aanndd CCoonnssttrraaiinnttss

HHeerriittaaggee PPllaannnniinnggHistoric SignificanceHistoric Preservation ApproachGuiding PrinciplesInterpretive Structure

PPrreeffeerrrreedd AAlltteerrnnaattiivveeSite and Programmatic ElementsSignificance, Interpretation, and Historic PreservationHarborCirculationBuildingsDevelopment Parcels Open SpaceHamburg DrainInterpretation

UUrrbbaann CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss

PPrroojjeecctt AApppprrooaacchhProject Leadership and Sponsorship

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee CCoonncceepptt PPllaannssReview and Evaluation

PPllaann IImmpplleemmeennttaattiioonnPhase One ElementsPhase Two ElementsLater PhasesRoles and ResponsibilitiesProject Budget

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AAppppeennddiixx ((aavvaaiillaabbllee uunnddeerr sseeppaarraattee ccoovveerr))• Heritage Planning• Public Comment Forms (distributed at public meetings)• Meeting Notes on Buffalo and Erie County Military and Naval Park• Urban Design Guidelines• Budget Detail

AAddddiittiioonnaall RReessoouurrcceess ((aavvaaiillaabbllee ffoorr vviieewwiinngg aatt EESSDDCC))• Photo Book• Erie Canal Harbor Project - Hamburg Drain - Pre-Preliminary Design Report (October 2003;

prepared by R&D for ESDC)• Inner Harbor Development Project - Feasibility Study - Draft Report - Relocation of the Hamburg

Drain (June 25, 2001; prepared by PB for ESDC)• Combined Sewer Overflow Study - Draft Long Term Control Plan - South Central District

(December 6, 2002; prepared by URS for BSA)• Hamburg Drain CSO and Buffalo Inner Harbor - Water and Sediment Quality - A Preliminary

Assessment (January 2003; prepared by URS for ESDC)• Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS), Erie Canal Harbor Project• Phase I Construction Documents• SEIS Process and Schedule

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Source: Buffalo and Erie County Public Library CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp,, 11991144 Source: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, Erie Canal Collection


VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd CCeennttrraall WWhhaarrff ffrroomm BBuuffffaalloo RRiivveerrIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


INTRODUCTION

Like many American cities, Buffalo's waterfront was significant to its historic development andhas an important story to tell. This Master Plan for the Erie Canal Harbor brings renewedenergy and attention to the waterfront as the place of the city's birth and as the historic westernterminus of the Erie Canal, one of our country's greatest engineering achievements. Publicappreciation for preservation and Buffalo heritage as well as a commitment by Project sponsorsto focus future development for this site around heritage elements directed this planning anddesign process.

The Master Plan's evolution stems from a 1999 Plan for the site, managed by ESDC andfinanced by a combination of federal, state, and local transportation funds administered byFTA, NFTA, NYSTA, Erie County, City of Buffalo, and the Buffalo Sewer Authority. ThisPlan was intended to facilitate both on-site and surrounding development activities by makinginfrastructure investments to improve multi-modal access connections (i.e. transit, marine,vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities) to and along the water's edge. A portion of thisPlan has already been completed in accordance with a June 2002 Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU), involving relocation of three Naval vessel exhibits to a new basinwithin Veterans Park, as well as an overall landscape design program for that park (referred toas Phase One of the Project).

The overall intent of the 1999 Plan has not changed. This effort is focused on achieving thesegoals in the context of better interpreting the site's rich history and importance to thedevelopment of the region and the nation as a whole. Additional public funds wereprogrammed to overcome certain major site constraints that impeded undertaking such aprogram in 1999.

Public involvement was critical to this and has resulted in a revised Master Plan thatsignificantly reflects the aspirations of Buffalo's citizenry. Through almost universal publicsentiment, Buffalo's Erie Canal era became the focus of the Master Plan and the resultingshared vision for Buffalo's waterfront. Throughout the design process, hundreds ofparticipants attended public meetings and design sessions and nearly 200 written commentsand evaluation sheets were received from different organizations and Buffalo citizens. Thesecomments were critical to the design effort and informed the design team throughout thecreation of this Master Plan.

The Master Plan is organized to first highlight the components and layout of the PreferredAlternative. This design was developed by the design team after numerous meetings withheritage-related interest groups, sponsoring organizations, the public, and careful review andconsideration of the comments received and heard at these meetings. A deliberate processhelped to define and determine the final preferred outcome. This document outlines thisprocess, the issues that influenced the design process and discusses the steps taken to arrive atthe Preferred Alternative. Specific steps are outlined that discuss the implementation of thePreferred Alternative as recommended in the Master Plan.

A separate Appendix includes more-detailed documents that were critical to the overall designand planning process. While many of these documents are referred to within the body of theMaster Plan, the full text of these materials is provided in the Master Plan Appendix along withthe additional resources listed. The Appendix is available to the public, interest groups, andscholars for viewing at ESDC.

PPuubblliicc WWoorrkksshhoopp Photograph: Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.


VVIISSIIOONNErie Canal Harbor will be a dynamic year-roundsite that celebrates Buffalo's local history androle in our nation's growth and development.Erie Canal Harbor will be a central feature in thecity of Buffalo. Through the quality of its designand execution, it will occupy a place of prideamong the city's collection of world-classarchitecture and parks, commercialneighborhood centers, and recreational areas.This site will be a central location for learningabout and experiencing the city's history,character, and significance. Erie Canal Harborwill serve as a hub of activity, with a wide rangeof uses including interpretive activities,recreational uses, and festival gatherings that willensure its active use by residents and visitorsalike. While embracing the city's past, the ErieCanal Harbor will symbolize Buffalo's future asa thriving and vital community.

This vision is consistent with the visionexpressed in the Queen City Hub (Buffalo'sDowntown Master Plan) It is one of fiveStrategic Investment Areas for Downtown.

Specific goals and objectives informed thecreation of this Master Plan. Many of the goalsand objectives were derived from the 1999 Plan.They were amended as a result of a June 2002Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) thatplaced an increased emphasis on incorporatinghistoric interpretation into site planning anddevelopment. As a result of this MOU andsubsequent public input, the following list ofrefined goals and objectives was established.

HHeerriittaaggee PPrreesseerrvvaattiioonn aanndd IInntteerrpprreettaattiioonn GGooaallss• Fully incorporate the importance of this site

to Buffalo and the nation's growth and development, including its importance related to commerce, transportation, and immigration, by developing and implementing an appropriate interpretive theme, including plans and exhibits.

• Develop a navigable commercial slip within the boundaries of the original, historically significant Commercial Slip.

• Incorporate the historic street patterns of thesite into the new development.

• Develop a new wharf and pedestrian esplanade that evokes the historical attributesof the original Central Wharf on the site of the original Central Wharf running from theeast side of the re-watered Commercial Slip tothe new South Basin.

• Re-image and re-design the proposed new Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Museum so that it is more sensitive to its context in an historic site.

• Make preliminary recommendations regarding the appropriate location and role ofan Erie Canal Heritage museum.

AAccttiivviittyy aanndd LLaanndd UUssee GGooaallss• Establish a public space for community

interaction.• Create a variety of maritime activities.• Prioritize water-related activities at the

water's edge.• Encourage year-round use.• Encourage an appreciation for Buffalo history

and heritage to maximize heritage tourism through preservation and interpretation of historic site elements including the Commercial Slip, historic building foundations, the Central Wharf, and street

patterns including the Commercial Slip, historic building foundations, the Central Wharf, and street patterns.

• Encourage immediate and long-term use

EEccoonnoommiicc DDeevveellooppmmeenntt GGooaallss• Create opportunities for inviting and

authentic activities.• Create a western destination for the Erie

Canalway Recreation Corridor and National Heritage Corridor.

• Support regional goals of developing culturaland heritage tourism industry and regional visitor attraction.

• Enhance and support existing uses, e.g. Marine Drive Apartments, HSBC Arena, Waterfront Village, Erie Basin, and theCobblestone District.

• Encourage development opportunity of surrounding areas and downtown.

• Encourage community-scale economic opportunities.

• Encourage small-and large-scale development.

PPuubblliicc AAcccceessss aanndd TTrraannssppoorrttaattiioonn GGooaallss• Provide year-round public access.• Promote inter-modal circulation and

connectivity. • Establish unrestricted access to the water.• Establish a continuous waterfront

esplanade.• Integrate existing city-wide planning efforts• Orient transit stations towards the waterfront.• Enhance maritime access to the land.• Enhance visual access to the water.• Enhance connections to downtown.• Preserve the potential for a future bridge to

the Outer Harbor..• Enhance Greenway Trail access.• Provide site access for Great Lakes passenger

cruise ships.These refined goals and objectives provided aroad map for each element incorporated into thePreferred Alternative site design. Throughoutthe planning and design process, each elementincorporated into the final design was measuredagainst these requirements.

OVERALL VISION, GOALS & OBJECTIVESThe following vision, goals, and objectives take into account the specific directives the team developed in relationship to historic preservation andinterpretation which served to guide the Master Planning effort.

GGOOAALLSS AANNDD OOBBJJEECCTTIIVVEESS


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OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNTTIIEESS The roughly triangular shaped site iscentrally located at the foot of Buffalo'sMain Street, offering immediate access tothe light rail transit system (LRRT) and afuture connection to the planned BuffaloIntermodal Transportation Center (BITC).The 19,000 seat HSBC Arena, the area'spremier indoor sports stadium; theMemorial Auditorium, a 400,000+ gross s.f.facility slated for redevelopment; a newparking garage, initially designed toaccommodate approximately 875 cars andto be shared with the Marine DriveApartment complex, is scheduled forcompletion in 2006; the historic DL&WTerminal, part of a larger 8.1-acre site alsounder consideration for redevelopment; therecently completed Wilkinson Plaza andriver's edge promenade; and the WebsterBlock, a key development opportunity areall within a ¼-mile radius of the site. TheCobblestone District, a locally designatedhistoric district recalling Buffalo's maritime-related industry, is located just east of theHSBC Arena. This historic district, inaddition to the existing and proposeddevelopments adjacent to the site, willsupport and enhance the goals of the MasterPlan by providing key destinations andyear-round usage.

Veterans Park, a new two-acre landscapedpark with a 1,000-foot-length waterfrontesplanade and a promenade of monumentsin honor of war veterans known as Hero'sWalk, is located immediately to the west ofthe site. The park and esplanade (PhaseOne of the Master Plan) offer a directconnection to the Buffalo Riverwalk andthe Erie Basin Marina, located just west ofthe park.

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval andMilitary Museum, a recognized touristattraction in the area, will be relocated onthe site. The Museum's three naval vessels,the USS Little Rock, The USS Sullivans(National Register of Historic Places) andthe USS Croaker submarine are moored ina new Naval Basin, alongside the VeteransPark esplanade.

SITE OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS

The site's most important feature is itswaterfront location on the Buffalo Riverand Inner Harbor, which provides a uniqueopportunity for modern maritime access(recreational and commercial boating,visiting ships, and cruise ship docking) atthe site of Buffalo's historic canal district.The site's river frontage is approximately1,300 linear feet, or a total of 2,300 linearfeet when combined with the Veterans Parkesplanade. A rich trove of archeological remnants fromBuffalo's past exists just below the surface ofthe site. Many of the most significant areashave been investigated by the Projectarcheologists, documented and the negativeimpacts mitigated. The design andconstruction of new features will requirecontinued care, documentation andprotection so that the history of the site willbe available to future generations.

CCOONNSSTTRRAAIINNTTSSAs in most Master Planning efforts, issues ofinfrastructure, circulation, and phasingpresent some of the key site developmentconstraints. At the Erie Canal Harbor site,there will also be critically important issuesrelated to the recovery, protection, andpreservation of historic fabric. This willinclude fabric which is already documentedand that which may be discovered duringconstruction phases. Additional siteconstraints are summarized below:

• The re-engineering of the Hamburg Drain, an underground combined seweroverflow (CSO) conduit with an openingsize of 16 feet wide and 13 feet high, is amajor item impacting budget, phasing, and site configuration. Water quality issues that must be addressed include floatables and dissolved oxygen. Duringconstruction, the operation of the Hamburg Drain must be maintained

• The Buffalo Skyway (NYS Route 5) traverses the existing site 100 feet above street level. Eight supporting piers (cast-

SSiittee ccoonnddiittiioonnss -- 22000033Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

As the western terminus of the Erie Canal and the site of the birth of the City, the 10.9-acre Erie Canal Harbor site presents unparalleledpotential for historic interpretation and economic development. The site also includes other key opportunities for a broad diversity of year-roundactivities and transportation connections.

LLllooyydd SSttrreeeett CCoobbbblleess && SStteeaammsshhiipp HHootteell RRuuiinnss -- 22000033Photograph: Mathews Nielsen

Landscape Architects, P. C.

BBuuffffaalloo SSkkyywwaayy -- 22000033Photograph: Mathews Nielsen

Landscape Architects, P. C.

VVeetteerraannss PPaarrkk -- 22000033Photograph: Max Donoso

in-place concrete on steel sheet piles) are located on the site and will require perimeter access of 15-feet for regular maintenance. The pier locations impact the configuration of development parcelsand site circulation. NYSDOT guidelines for construction within the Skyway footprint must also be followed.

• The Buffalo Skyway (NYS Route 5) transverses the existing site 100 feet abovestreet level. Eight supporting piers (cast-in-place concrete on steel sheet piles) are located on the site and will require perimeter access of 15-feet for regular maintenance. The pier locations impact the configuration of development parcelsand site circulation. NYSDOT guidelines for construction within the Skyway footprint must also be followed.

• The Kelly Island Sewer Pump Station, a sewerage lift station, owned and operatedby the Buffalo Sewer Authority, will remain on the site and is serviced daily. Currently the pump station is not ventilated adequately and discharges an unpleasant odor that periodically permeates the southern end of the site.

• Weather at the site is both an opportunityand a constraint. Buffalo's beautiful, longsummer days are a well-known attraction,bringing families to the waterfront edges.The winter months offer their own beauty, but can be extreme in temperature and winds. Design measuresmust take Buffalo's weather into account-providing protection from the hot sun during summer months and from cold wind and snow during winter months.


HERITAGE PLANNING

HHIISSTTOORRIICCAALL SSIIGGNNIIFFIICCAANNCCEE Construction of the Erie Canal in 1825established an all-water passage from theGreat Lakes through Buffalo to the port ofNew York City and the world, transformingBuffalo from a frontier village into athriving commercial and industrialmetropolis. At the canal's western terminus,Buffalo grew as the portal of transshipmentto and from the American Midwest,transferring goods and passengers betweencanal boats and lake ships. At the easternend New York grew to become thecontinent's financial and commercialcenter. On opening day, then GovernorDeWitt Clinton collected water at theconfluence of the Buffalo River andCommercial Slip (a feeder canal connectingthe Erie Canal with the Buffalo Harbor)that he later poured into New York Harborin the famous "Wedding of the Water's"ceremony. Buffalo grew as the portal oftransshipment to and from the AmericanMidwest, transferring goods and passengersbetween canal boats and lake ships.

For most of the 1800s, Buffalo's canaldistrict stood at the center of the city'sgrowth and development, the fulcrumbetween canal and lake. Commercial Slipand Central Wharf were key locationswithin the canal district. Influenced by theflow of goods, people, and ideas, a portculture emerged among the Slips, wharves,grain elevators, warehouses, businesses,saloons, shops, residences, and hotels of thecanal district. This port culture wasinstrumental in shaping the character ofBuffalo. In the late nineteenth century,railroads became increasingly dominant,supplanting the canal in their economicimportance to the city.

GGUUIIDDIINNGG PPRRIINNCCIIPPLLEESS • Authentic historic resources and features

will be preserved to the maximum extentpossible.

• The history and significance of the canaldistrict will be interpreted in a lively andengaging manner that is conveyed in large measure through the character and experience of the place.

• New buildings and site features will be designed and constructed in a manner that is sympathetic to the historic character of the site and integral to the interpretive program.

• The development of Erie Canal Harbor will be guided by the input of residents, community groups, nonprofit organizations, private enterprise, public officials, and government staff.

The interpretive program for the site will:• Provide visitors to the site with an

understanding of the historical significance of the canal district and the changes that occurred within the districtin commerce, use, technologies, lifestyles,culture, folkways, and human relationships.

• Be integrated into the overall site development, intertwining interpretive and educational uses with commercial, entertainment, and recreational uses.

• Be designed to appeal to a wide cross section of people, employing a variety ofviewpoints and perspectives.

The enhancement of historic resources will:• Preserve and enhance the surviving

historic resources and features of the site.• Develop new uses and structures for the

site that respect the historic character of the site and are sympathetic to contemporary resource preservation and interpretation.

• Be designed to support the interpretationof the site.

Ellicott's 1804 map of the village of Buffalo, shows atightly parceled community focused on the naturalharbor formed by the mouth of the Buffalo River. Thisharbor later became the terminus of the Erie Canal.Source: Municipality of Buffalo, New York :a history,1720-1923.

HHIISSTTOORRIICC PPRREESSEERRVVAATTIIOONNAAPPPPRROOAACCHHErie Canal Harbor and the developmentthat follows will be an interpretive landscapethat conveys the historical significance of thecanal district and provides an impression ofits physical character. To the extent possible,surviving historic fabric will be preservedand, where appropriate, will be incorporatedinto the new urban infrastructure. Newconstruction will be evocative of the historiccanal district but will not presume to re-create it. The interpretive landscape willconvey the dynamic nature of the canaldistrict, simultaneously presenting its manyfacets and changes over time. All work willbe in conformance with The Secretary of theInterior's Standards for the Treatment ofHistoric Properties.

IINNTTEERRPPRREETTIIVVEE SSTTRRUUCCTTUURREEThe following themes will shape thedevelopment of interpretation of the site. Acomplete discussion of the proposedinterpretive structure for Erie Canal Harborcan be found in an appendix to the masterplan.• Commercial Slip: Portal to the World -

As the western terminus of the Erie Canal, a world of people, goods, ideas, and attitudes passed through the canal district.

• Transportation and Transshipment - Connected to Lake Erie, an extensive network of canals, slips, railroad lines, and highways developed, fostering the growth of Buffalo as a gateway for commerce and an industrial powerhouse.The canal district stood at the hub of these transcontinental shipping routes.

• A Center for Trade and Commerce - Much of the trading and deal making thatmade transcontinental shipping and the growth of Buffalo possible took place in the buildings of Central Wharf and the canal district.

• Cultural Crossroads - From the entrepreneurs and heads of industry to the hotel keepers, dock workers, and canal men, the canal district served as a crossroads of cultural, economic, and ethnic diversity.

• Life on the Waterfront - Life on the waterfront was a sensational experience ofsights, sounds, smells, people, cultures, and activities.

• The Dynamic Canal District - From earlysettlement to the present, the landscape of the district has been marked by an incessant need to build, rebuild, modify, alter, improve, and adapt.

Thirty years after the canal was constructed Buffalowas growing into a small metropolis with the canal asits lifeline. Main Street is to the right, and CentralWharf stretches along the river to the left.Image:Source: National Archives of Canada, Illustration by JohnWilliam Hill, C-046096

This bird’s eye view shows the waterfront shortlybefore railroads were constructed across the site,eventually changing the use of the waterfront and theentire city economy.Source: Library of Congress

By the early 1900s, many of the earlier buildings ofCentral Wharf were demolished and replaced withrailroad-related structuresSource: Library of Congress

The canal district has, for most of its history, been aplace of intense activity. "The Central Wharf, 1858"(painting by Robert Averill, ASMA) depicts thecompetition for space between freight and passengervessels, and the transition from sail power to steamPainting: Collection of Robert Averill, ASMA

"Commercial Street at the Terminus of the Erie Canal"(painting by Robert Averil, ASMA, 2002) depicts ananimated scene at the head of Commercial Slip where itmet the Erie Canal. The Coit and Union Blocks are shownat the far left.Painting: Robert Averill, ASMA

In this hand-painted photograph that was used for apostcard, a throng of people await to embark for a lakecruise. Main Street is at the right, and the railroad buildingsalong the former Central Wharf border the river. Thephotograph was possibly taken from another cruise shipdocked at Long Wharf.Source: Western New York Heritage Magazine

A hand-painted photograph that was used for a postcardprovides a view up Main Street from a location near thesteamboat landing. The buildings on the right are on theLong Wharf.Source: Western New York Heritage Magazine

Public interest in the Erie Canal provided the impetus for this revised Master Plan. First and foremost, the heritage of the site informed thedesign process and the development of a Preferred Plan oriented around the Erie Canal era. Particular care was taken to develop a strategy thatwould respect the history of the site and relate it to the public in a meaningful and exciting manner.


PPrreeffeerrrreedd MMaasstteerr PPllaannIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


The design team developed the PreferredAlternative with consideration for theimportance of the historic location of thesite, responsiveness to programrequirements and public comments, as wellas the need to develop a renewed focus forthe vitality and dynamic energy evident inthe original Buffalo Harbor and adjacent

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Site and programmatic elements include bothhistoric and newly planned elements. As per theSecretary of the Interior's Standards for theTreatment of Historic Properties care has beentaken to incorporate as much historic fabric aspossible, including canal stones, historic streets,and building foundation ruins. Prerequisiteprogram elements from the initial Projectincluding the Commercial Slip and CentralWharf will be interpreted in such a manner asto evoke the Erie Canal era and experience.

commercial areas. Many program elementsfrom the three alternative designs wereincorporated into one final designalternative that reflects public input andsponsor requirements. The following siteand programmatic elements make up thePreferred Alternative site design.

SSIITTEE AANNDD PPRROOGGRRAAMMMMAATTIICC EELLEEMMEENNTTSS

Additional elements will be added to the site asnew construction, including the South Basinand a new museum building for the Buffalo andErie County Naval and Military Park. TheCruise Ship Administration Building will bebuilt when additional funds are made available.Each of these new elements will be designed insuch a way as to add to the overall character andfeel of the Erie Canal Harbor site.

PPrrooggrraammmmaattiicc EElleemmeennttssIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

NNaavvaall MMuusseeuumm -- AA kkeeyy ddeessiiggnn eelleemmeenntt ffoorr eessttaabblliisshhiinngg tthhee ssiittee ppllaann Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

PPrriimmee SSttrreeeett -- AA kkeeyy ddeessiiggnn eelleemmeenntt ffoorr eessttaabblliisshhiinngg tthhee ssiittee ppllaann Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

HHiissttoorriicc SSttrreeeettss//CCiirrccuullaattiioonn -- AA kkeeyy ddeessiiggnn eelleemmeenntt ffoorr eessttaabblliisshhiinngg tthhee ssiittee ppllaann Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


IInntteerrpprreettaattiioonnErie Canal Harbor is intended to be a placewhere people will come to experience thehistory and heritage of Buffalo and the ErieCanal. The site will serve as a hub, linkingto other interpretive venues within the city.A substantial amount of research will needto be undertaken in support of thedevelopment of interpretation. A primarygoal is that Erie Canal Harbor becomes agateway to the future Erie CanalwayNational Heritage Corridor. Interpretationat Erie Canal Harbor will be conveyed infour primary ways as outlined below.

PPrreesseerrvvaattiioonn ooff HHiissttoorriicc FFaabbrriiccIn several key areas where remnant historicfabric from the canal district has beenfound, it will be exposed and preserved.Access to remnant historic fabric willprovide visitors a tangible experience withand relationship to real structures andmaterials from the past. The ruin of theformer Steamship Hotel is the primaryfeature that will be exposed, preserved, andinterpreted. The proximity of the ruin tothe towpath of Commercial Slip, historicLloyd Street and the remnant of historic

paving at Lloyd Street provides a rich spatialrelationship that will be used tointerpretively link the canal and the Slipwith uses in adjacent buildings and theactivity in the streets of the canal district.

At Commercial Slip and historic Hanoverand Perry Streets, remnant historic fabrichas been found that will be incorporatedinto new construction evoking the characterof those historic resources. Remainingstones from the Slip will be incorporatedinto the new stone walls of the reconstructedSlip and will be distinguishable from thenewer contemporary materials. Remnantpaving stones from historic Hanover andPerry Streets will be reset in thereconstruction of those historic streets.Other opportunities to reuse historic fabricthat is uncovered will be assessed during thedesign of Erie Canal Harbor.

Where it is not necessary, possible, ordesirable to expose other historic fabric thatmay remain at the site, that fabric will bepreserved underground as much as possibleas archeological resources.

SSIIGGNNIIFFIICCAANNCCEE,, IINNTTEERRPPRREETTAATTIIOONN,, AANNDD HHIISSTTOORRIICC PPRREESSEERRVVAATTIIOONN

Surviving historic fabric, such as Llyod Street will bepreserved and, where feasible, incorporated into newconstruction.Courtesy: John Milner Associates, Inc.

CCoommmmeerrcc iiaa ll SSll iippThe re-watered Commercial Slip will be acenterpiece of the Project's historicinterpretation program, given itsimportance as the location of the originalwestern terminus of the Erie Canal system.The Slip itself will be fully navigable--designed to accommodate commercial canalboats, future water taxi service, as well astransient mooring for private recreationalboats. The newly constructed Commercial Slipwill be designed to evoke the character ofthe historic Commercial Slip and will besited on a portion of the south end of thehistoric Slip. Stones from the walls of thehistoric Slip will be salvaged andincorporated into the walls of the new Slipin their approximate original locations.Additional new construction will usehistorically appropriate materials but will bedifferentiated from the authentic historicfabric. The appropriate alignment andwidth of the Slip will be based upon anengineering survey prepared in 1910. Stoneand stabilized earth towpaths will beconstructed along each side of the Slipbased upon information provided in thesurvey, historic photographs, and recentarcheological investigations. The Slip willextend inland from the river to the vicinityof Scott Street where a pedestrian plaza willbe constructed, cantilevering over the headof the Slip and giving the impression thatthe Slip continues north beyond the street.Interpretation will focus on the themeCommercial Slip: Portal to the World. In thefull Master Plan, interpretive exhibits willinclude a historic or reconstructed canalboat loaded with inland goods

This stereo-scope view of the mouth of Commercial Slip shows a heavily laden canal boat beginning its journey east.The Coit-McCutcheon Block is on the right with its wooden boardwalk and stone canal walls belowSource: Collection of Henry Baxter

This view shows the plate-girder railroad bridge across the Commercial Slip with a lattice-truss bridge for vehiclesbehind. The former Steamship Hotel is on the left. At right, a wooden boardwalk stands over the stone towpath.Source: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, Erie Canal Collection


UUnniioonn BBlloocckk On the west side of Commercial Slip, thehistoric footprint of the Union Block will bemarked with an interpretive lawn slopingfrom Commercial Street toward the Slip. Ifpossible, the remnants of the building'shistoric walls will be made visible at grade,either by exposing the tops of the remainingwalls or by installation of new stone markersalong the alignment of the walls.Archeological remains will be preservedbelow grade. Interpretation of the UnionBlock will be installed and focus on thetheme Cultural Crossroads. In the future,possible additional interpretive elements willexplain how the building was used andconstructed.

CCooiitt--MMccCCuuttcchheeoonn BBlloocckk South of the Union Block site, the newBuffalo and Erie County Naval and MilitaryPark will be constructed in the footprint of aportion of the historic Coit-McCutcheonBlock. The historic facades of the buildingalong Commercial Slip and the bridgeextension of Prime Street will be recalledusing new masonry construction andpunched window openings. The museumfacades facing Commercial Street will have acontemporary treatment. Interpretivebillboards as visible in photographs from theWorld War I period may be used to enliventhe façade and announce the military themeof the museum.

As shown in this 1923 image of the Coit-McCutcheon Block, billboards and painted advertisements were placedon many buildings in the canal district. New billboards, replicating historic versions, will be installed to help evokethe character of the district.Source: Collection of Ronald R. Dukarm

The Coit-McCutcheon Block stood at the mouth of Commercial Slip. This 1922 image provides usefulinformation about the construction of this portion of the canal walls.Source:Collection of Ronald R.Dukarm

This contemporary painting depicts thenorthern elevation of the Union Blockbuilding.Painting:Raymond Massey

CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp BBrriiddggeeA new pedestrian bridge over CommercialSlip will be constructed, linking Commercialand Prime Streets. In its design and location,the new bridge and its stone abutments willevoke the appearance and character of thehistoric bowstring arch-truss bridge asevident in photographs and drawings fromthe 1870s. Interpretation focusing on thetheme Cultural Crossroads will beincorporated into the design of the bridge.The remnants of the existing concreterailroad abutments will be documented andremoved.

RRuuiinnss ooff tthhee SStteeaammsshhiipp HHootteellThe historic brick masonry walls of theformer Steamship Hotel will be exposed toview and preserved. An engaginginterpretive experience will be offered in anoutdoor-museum setting within the spacescreated by the walls of the ruin. Themasonry walls of the ruin will be stabilizedand conserved in an appropriate manner fortheir long-term preservation. A walkingsurface of stabilized earth will be provided atthe former basement level of the building.Access from the ruins to the towpath alongthe Slip will be provided. An earthen bermwill be built adjacent to a section of the ruinsand will be planted with earthen grasses.This berm slopes up from the basement levelto Lloyd Street. The ruins will be accessedby a stairway at the intersection of Lloyd andScott Streets and a ramp from theintersection of Lloyd and Prime Streets.Interpretative elements will be installed andwill focus upon the themes Life on theWaterfront and The Dynamic Canal District.

The new bowstring arch truss bridge carrying Prime Street over Commercial Slip will recall the appearance of the historicbridge that stood in that location. These bridges were important, character-defining features of the historic canal district.The Union Block and the adjacent stone towpath are visible on the left.Source:Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Surviving remnants of the foundation walls of the Steamship Hotel were uncovered during archeological investigations. Thecollection of ruins will be used to create a unique interpretive experiencePhotograph: John Milner Associates, Inc.

PPrr iimmee SSll iipp

The historic location of Prime Slip betweenScott and Prime Streets will be revealedthrough construction of a pedestrian walkand bikeway between the developmentparcels. Unlike the historic streets, PrimeSlip will not be paved with cobbles. Lowvegetation, artwork, and interpretiveelements will be used to enliven the walkwayand suggest the water of the historic Slip.

Prime Slip, identified on the 1872 map as "Terra Firma,"was open for a short time before it was refilled.Source:Western New York Heritage Magazine


CCeennttrraall WWhhaarrffThe historic Central Wharf is located in akey location on the site where land, canal,and lake traffic converged. It is importantthat the sense of place that existed at thissite be re-established in this Project. Assuch, historic Central Wharf will berepresented through a variety of pavingmaterials and constructed site features. Anew wooden boardwalk will recall thehistoric character and location of the woodwharf. The corner where Central Wharfand Commercial Slip meet is a significantinterpretive location. This corner is visiblein several historic photographs, apparentlydating from the 1870s. A goal of the MasterPlan design is to re-create the feel of thecanal district as strongly as possible in thisarea.

An objective at this location is to providelow-level access for pedestrians and shoreaccess for recreational boat users. A secondobjective at the Central Wharf location is toaccommodate visiting tall sailing ships.Several alternatives are being evaluated tomeet these objectives. One involves the useof floating docks in front of the existingbulkhead. Another alternative involveslowering the existing bulkhead to aboutfour feet above mean lake level. This wouldrequire removal of most or all of the existingconcrete railroad structure. A retaining wallwould be provided inland of the loweredbulkhead to prevent inland flooding. As thedesign of Phase Two and future phasesevolves, a third alternative might bepossible. This alternative would allow aportion of the bulkhead to be cut away todevelop interpretive exhibits such as thecutaway lake freighter. Under any of thesealternatives, new anchorage for the existingbulkhead wall would likely be required andthe outer face of the bulkhead or retainingwall would receive historic treatment.

As noted previously, Lloyd Street will beextended to meet the wooden wharf at thislocation. A new structure will be created toevoke the 1870s building that existed on

this corner. The structure may be an openpavilion with interpretive elements, thougha small, fully enclosed museum is envisionedover the long term. Interpretation will focuson the themes Transshipment andTransportation, Center of Trade andCommerce, and Cultural Crossroads.

On the east side of Lloyd Street, the full-scaled brick facade of the Union Steamshipbuilding will be re-created, providingenclosure to the Lloyd Street/Central Wharfintersection. A two-story balcony structureis proposed for construction along a portionof the wharf, recalling the historic balconiesof the buildings that were located there. Thebalcony structure will include some sort oftransparent panels that will provideopportunity for interpretation, visibility tothe water, and serve as a windbreak. A low,open, shed roof over the west end of thewharf will link the balcony structure withthe end of the Union Steamship facade andthe pavilion/museum noted above. Such ashed structure is visible in a number ofhistoric photographs and will provide shadeand a location for interpretive elements andother public gatherings.

Between Central Wharf and Prime Street,the locations of historic buildings will beindicated through paving materials, changesin grade, and other site features. The eastface of the Union Steamship facade willserve as a backdrop for a concert stage. Thelocation of historic Prime Slip will bemarked with a water feature, a shallow poolthat will be appropriate for model boatsduring the summer and skating during thewinter. Other three-dimensional sitefeatures may be constructed as well, such asadditional ghosting and interpretiveelements.

This view provides some of the best evidence for designingthe pavilion, the canopy structure, and the balcony structureto evoke the character of the corner between CommercialSlip and Central Wharf.Source: Collection of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

This view shows the central portion of Central Wharf.Thecontinuous balcony structure from Prime Slip to MainStreet dominated the waterfront facade of the wharf.Source:Western New York Heritage Magazine

This detail of the Central Wharf balcony, located to thewest of the Hazard Block, conveys the character anduse of the structure.Source: Collection of Harvey Holzworth


VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd PPrriimmee SSlliipp GGrreeeennwwaayy TTrraaiill ffrroomm SSccootttt SSttrreeeett Illustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

SSoouutthh BBaassiinn

The proposed South Basin will providemooring for commercial tour vessels such asthe Miss Buffalo II and the Niagara Clipper.Other vessels that will be potentially mooredin the South Basin include: the Edward M.Cotter, a historic fire boat operated by theCity of Buffalo Fire Department; theExcalibur, a not-for-profit boat that provideswater access for disadvantaged and disabledindividuals; and an Erie County Sheriff Boat.Like other locations along the water's edge atthe Project site, walkways (roughly 3- 4 feetabove mean lake level) will be provided forpedestrian access to the water and to easeshore access for transient boaters using thisBasin. A fixed pier planned to segregate theSouth Basin into two parts will have a similarelevation to the pedestrian access walkways.The South Basin will be designed and builtby the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thewalls will be constructed using steel sheet pilewith a concrete cap.

HHAARRBBOORR

SSoouutthh BBaassiinnModel: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

BBiirrddss eeyyee vviieeww ooff SSoouutthh BBaassiinn EEnnvviirroonnssIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


CCiirrccuullaattiioonnThe Preferred Alternative is organizedaround themes of transportation, past andpresent. The site's rich history oftransshipment, from the canal period to therailroad era, is layered on the riverfront'spresent-day circulation fabric. Theseelements include: the NFTA's Light RailRapid Transit system on Main Street, busservice on Scott Street and other streets inthe area, vehicular traffic along Scott andMain Streets and Marine Drive, as well aspedestrian and bicycle access via theGreenway and Industrial Heritage Trailsand maritime access along the waterfrontedge. Passing above the site is the BuffaloSkyway, a high level bridge carrying NYSRoute 5.

Five historic streets (Commercial, Lloyd,Hanover, Prime, and Perry Streets) will berebuilt utilizing sandstone sidewalks andcurbs, and restored/replicated cobblestoneroutes. A new one-way vehicular loop alongHanover-Prime-and a Prime Streetextension will afford vehicular access toCentral Wharf and the South Basin. Lloydand Commercial Streets will becomepedestrian rights-of-ways, with CommercialStreet also providing emergency and serviceaccess to the Buffalo and Erie County Navaland Military Park. At Lloyd Street, thehistoric remnant of cobble paving will bepreserved and exposed to view andexpanded through the use of interpretiveelements. New cobblestone paving andsandstone sidewalks will complete themissing portions of the street from ScottStreet to Central Wharf for contemporaryuse.

At Hanover and Perry Streets, significantoriginal sections of historic paving appear toremain below contemporary grade. In thePreferred Alternative, the historic grade willbe re-established. Historic stone pavers willbe lifted and reset on a contemporary base,allowing for the installation of belowground utilities. A new Prime Street willalso be constructed at historic grade, linkingthe bridge across Commercial Slip on thewest with Main Street on the east. Thecanal-era width of Prime Street will be used(before widening for the railroad), creating atighter, more intimate street design andenlarged development area. A singlerailroad line will be laid along the cobblepaving of Prime Street in the alignment ofthe first railroad tracks installed on the sitein the 1880s. Other interpretation will

focus on the themes Transportation andTransshipment and The Dynamic CanalDistrict.

West of Commercial Slip, a portion of anew Commercial Street will bereconstructed using historically appropriatematerials linking Scott Street, theCommercial Slip Bridge, Veterans Park, andthe waterfront Esplanade. The east side ofthe street will follow its historic alignment,though the street width of the newCommercial Street will be narrower.

The Skyway footprint, associated with a lineof large supporting piers that cuts throughthe entire site on a diagonal, is planned as atransitional area designed to provide anopen-space plaza and service access foradjacent development parcels, with 15 footNYSDOT maintenance easementspreserved at each pier location. Parcelsadjacent to the transitional area may beutilized by a single owner who would needto refer to the full design guidelines anddetails to understand how to best use them.

Pedestrians will arrive at the Erie CanalHarbor at two primary locations along ScottStreet: via the light rail system and bus atthe Main Street Transit Plaza and fromadjacent parking areas near Crossroads Plazaat Commercial Street. The Transit Plazawill serve as an intermodal hub, providing agateway to the site at the head of historicHanover Street. This space will welcometravelers arriving by local bus, from the ErieCanal Harbor and Special Events Stations(light rail), through vehicular drop-off, andin the future via intercity rail from theplanned Buffalo Intermodal TransportationCenter and by foot from Main Street andpoints east. Crossroads Plaza isconveniently situated at the entrance to thenew Buffalo and Erie County Naval and

Military Park, across from a planned 875car parking structure. Crossroads Plaza islocated next to on-street handicapped-accessible parking and will provide directviews across Commercial Slip to the LloydStreet preservation area.

Bicycle access into the site is made availablefrom Scott Street down an alignmentinterpreting the historic location of thehistoric Prime Slip, an earlier feeder canalthat once crossed the site. The center bikelane is separated from pedestrian ways byplanted medians. Bicycle storage will belocated on site. The bike trail continuesthrough the site along Prime Street, joiningBuffalo's Greenway Trail to the east.

The Erie Canal Harbor will be the hub of aregional waterfront trail system that willextend upriver along the Buffalo River andto and along Lake Erie (as well as theRiverwalk extending along the NiagaraRiver). A continuous waterfront esplanadebegins at Veterans Park and travels north onCommercial Street where it crosses thebowstring bridge over the Commercial Slip.At historic Lloyd Street, pedestrians canturn south to the wooden wharf along thehistoric alignment of Central Wharf. Thisupper level access continues around theSouth Basin where it joins the riverfrontesplanade at the cruise ship docking area.At this point the esplanade is reconstructedaround the southernmost Skyway pier,providing the opportunity for a continuouswaterfront walkway to Wilkinson Plaza andthe historic DL&W Terminal building.

Pedestrian access is also provided at waterlevel. Permanent tow-paths along theCommercial Slip, floating docks at CentralWharf, and basin walkways are provided atelevation 575, approximately three feetabove the current mean lake level (572).

Historically the canal district was a gritty, industrial andcommercial area. Images such as this historicphotograph of the eastern end of Prime Streetprovide evidence that informs the possible design ofnew infrastructure and interpretive elements.Source: Collection of Ronald R. Dukarm

EExxiissttiinngg CCiirrccuullaattiioonn DDiiaaggrraammIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

PPrrooppoosseedd CCoonnnneeccttiioonn DDiiaaggrraammIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

CCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONN

This view from 1922 of Commercial Street, lookingnorth, provides additional evidence of the historiccharacter of the canal district. The Coit-McCutcheonBlock stands at right with the lattice-truss bridge forLake Street spanning the Commercial Slip in thebackgroundSource: Collection of Ronald R. Dukarm


MMuusseeuummssWhile the interpretive landscape is a centralconcept of Erie Canal Harbor, thedevelopment of housed museum experiencesis also encouraged and expected. Fourmuseum concepts are currently proposed aspossible venues in the Master Plan. Othersmay be possible and may be considered overtime. The Buffalo and Erie County Navaland Military Museum is planned in the nextphase of design and the Commercial SlipPavilion is the next highest priority inrelation to the overall Plans forinterpretation. The schedule for these othermuseums is subject to site location andfunding availability.

Buffalo and Erie County Naval and MilitaryPark: A new facility for the Buffalo and ErieCounty Naval and Military Museum isincluded in the Phase Two ofimplementation of Erie Canal Harbor andwill be located in a portion of the footprintof the former Coit-McCutcheon Block onthe west side of Commercial Slip. The NavalMuseum is discussed in more detail in otherportions of this Master Plan. The museum,including Veterans Park, is an integral part ofthe overall Project and of the anticipatedvisitor experience of the site. The quality ofexterior and interior exhibits at the Buffaloand Erie County Naval and MilitaryMuseum should be of the highest qualityconsistent with other exhibits at Erie CanalHarbor. To the maximum extent possible,the character and presentation ofinterpretation on both sides of CommercialSlip should be integrated and coordinated.

Commercial Slip Pavilion: A new structureis proposed for construction at the southwestcorner of Prime and Lloyd Streets. Thisstructure will feature sheltered exhibitsfocusing upon the relationship and interplaybetween Commercial Slip and CentralWharf, focusing on the themes, CommercialSlip: Portal to the World, Transshipment andTransportation, and Center of Trade andCommerce. Located at the vital cornerconnecting the slip to Central Wharf, it willbe the central focus of interpretation at ErieCanal Harbor.

The Commercial Slip Pavilion will belocated on the footprint of a building thatexisted in this location during the canal era,

prior to the 1880s. It is visible in severalhistoric photographs from that period. Thedesign of the structure will evoke thecharacter of that building, though it is notexpected to replicate it exactly. It will beconnected to the Union Steamship façadeand ghosted balcony of Central Wharf witha low shed that is also visible in the historicphotographs.

Erie Canalway Visitors Center: A visitors'center and museum has been proposed onthe site by both heritage interest groups andthe public. The Master Plan supports thisdevelopment and can accommodate it. Thisvisitors' center is proposed in conjunctionwith the site's role in relationship to the ErieCanalway National Heritage Corridor. Thevisitors' center will serve as a visitor contactpoint, providing information and facilitiesincluding a theater, gift shop and toiletrooms. Interpretively, it will provide a broadoverview of the history and significance ofthe Erie Canal and the canal district. Anexact location has not been chosen butseveral parcels on the site are potentiallysuitable and have a prominent location,adequate size, adjacency to historic areas andinfrastructure to support such a center.

D L & W Museum: The Buffalo and ErieCounty Historical Society has proposed amajor new museum on Buffalo history. Thepreferred site is the upper level of theexisting DL&W Terminal adjacent to theeast of the Erie Canal site. The site would bean excellent venue for a museumthematically and physically consistent withthe Erie Canal Harbor Master Plan. It couldfurther enrich the tourism and heritageobjectives of the downtown waterfront andcanal district. The Master Plan proposes astrong pedestrian link between the two sites,along the river walk and along Main Street.Interpretation between the two sites shouldbe closely linked, with Erie Canal Harborfocusing upon the canal and canal district,and the larger DL&W museum expandingupon larger and broader themes of Buffaloand western New York heritage.

New streetscape elements and construction can provide interpretation and evoke the historic character of the site. Theredevelopment of the Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn, New York, provides an example.Photograph: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

bollards, poles, etc.) will be designed withinspiration from the site features visible inhistoric photographs and drawings. Newbuildings and site features such as theghosted balcony at Central Wharf will becontemporary in design but will evoke thecharacter of the canal district that they areintended to help interpret.

Erie Canal Harbor will not be an exact re-creation of the historic canal district.Because of the lack of detailed originalconstruction information and the dynamicnature of the district, with a great deal ofchange over time, an accurate re-creation ofthe district is not possible. Rather, ErieCanal Harbor will be an interpretivelandscape that helps visitors understand thehistory and character of the canal district andits significance to the city and the nation.

EEvvooccaattiivvee NNeeww CCoonnssttrruuccttiioonnNew construction will provide interpretationof the historic canal district in two ways.First, new features that are constructed willaccurately mark the location of lost historicfeatures throughout the site. The newCommercial Slip, historic roads, CentralWharf, Naval Museum, developmentparcels, and other features to be constructedwill mark the locations of their historicpredecessors. Additional research needs tobe undertaken during the design phase of theProject to accurately confirm the locations ofmany of the historic features.

Second, new features will evoke the characterof the historic canal district through the useof historically appropriate materials. Thesematerials range from the stones to be used inthe construction of new Commercial Slip; tothe pavers, curbs, and sidewalks to be used inthe construction of new roads; to the bricksto be used in the construction of newbuildings such as the Buffalo and ErieCounty Naval and Military Park and thebuildings in the development parcels. Sitefurnishings (railings, benches, light fixtures,

BBUUIILLDDIINNGGSS

New construction in the development parcels is intended to evoke the density of the historic buildings such as these alongPrime Street. This photograph is from the railroad era, after Prime Street was widened. The buildings to the right, however,appear to remain from Central Wharf.Source: Ronald R. Dukarm from the Collection of Syracuse University


BBuuiillddiinngg PPrrooggrraamm ((ggrroossss ssff)) Main Building 9,000 sfYard Building 4,200 sfBuildings Total 13,200 sf

SSiittee PPrrooggrraammVeterans Park w/o esplanade 77,725 sfEsplanade including Vet. Mem. 22,500 sfNew Veterans Park Total 100,225 sf (2.3 acres)

New Yard 19,000 sf (includes building footprin)New Museum site footprint 9,550 sf (includes Commercial Street)New Yard and building sub-total 28,550 sf

TToottaall SSiittee PPrrooggrraamm AArreeaa 112288,,777755 ssff ((33..00 aaccrreess))

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval andMilitary Park includes two new structuresand an outdoor Exhibit Yard that willreplace the existing Museum locatedapproximately in the center of the ProjectSite. These buildings are referred to as theMain Museum and the Yard building. Thenew 9,000-square-foot, two-story masonryMain building located on the Coit-McCutcheon Block recalls the size, massing,materials, and fenestration of previous canalstructures at this location, and contributesto the desired ambience of density andproximity to the Commercial Slip. Aseparate exhibit structure across historicCommercial Street of approximately 4,200square feet provides more exhibit space in asimple hangar-like structure within theExhibit Yard. This Yard building isenvisioned as a high-roofed, metal structure,with electrical systems. It may be used toexhibit large vehicles and equipment ortemporary exhibits. The Main Museumbuilding will contain all the public andsupport functions of the Museum as well asaccommodate exhibits at the upper level. Itwill be linked by an open bridge acrossCommercial Street to a mezzanine level ofthe Yard building. The Yard building willhave large sliding doors facing bothCommercial Street and the Exhibit Yard thatcan be opened to allow events to spill intothe surrounding area, especially CommercialStreet.

The recommended design approach for theMuseum structures is to enhance andcontribute to the historic interpretation ofarchitectural elements along the CommercialSlip. The Museum will feature a historiclook on the three facades that will beadjacent to the Commercial Slip, and willutilize brick and/or other masonry materials.Where appropriate and practical, the exteriorwalls of the new building should delineatethe historic location of the walls of the Coit-McCutcheon Block structures, and theincorporation of archeological remnantsshould be considered where possible.Facades adjacent to, and across from,Commercial Street will be of a morecontemporary look and utilize glass andother materials to display and advertise theexhibits. The New Museum will containflexible and enlarged exhibit space. The NewMuseum contains two levels of services. TheMain building will include heating,electrical, air conditioning, and other coderequired services. The Yard building willinclude electrical for lighting and power aswell as other code required services. TheMuseum contains approximately 35% morespace than the existing Museum buildingand incorporates the Gift Shop and Cafewithin a single structure. Additionaloutdoor space along the recently completedEsplanade directly adjacent to Veterans Parkhas been incorporated into the proposed newoutdoor Exhibit Yard, bringing the total areato approximately one-half acre.

BBuuffffaalloo aanndd EErriiee CCoouunnttyy NNaavvaall aanndd MMiilliittaarryy PPaarrkk CCrruuiissee SShhiipp AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn BBuuiillddiinnggThe Master Plan recommends a Cruise ShipAdministration Building located in thesoutheastern corner of the Project site, east ofthe South Basin. It will be built in a futurephase of the project. This location is wellsuited to provide a high bulkhead height andlength for the ships (reported betweenapproximately 125' and 480') in a mannerthat avoids obstruction of the festival sitearea and South Basin, and is convenient tovehicular circulation. It is anticipated thatan Administration Building will be requiredto meet Homeland Security needs and itcould potentially house the office(s) of acommercial cruise line and support spaces(toilet rooms, queuing and waiting areas,etc.) for passengers. Cruise ship passengersand/or goods from Canada will requireinspection and processing from a number ofUnited States Government agencies,including the Customs Service andImmigration and Naturalization Service.Conceptually, these functions can be housedin an administration facility with the otherslisted above. The issues of separation ofcivilian and Government operational andprogrammatic requirements must beconsidered in greater detail duringsubsequent design phases when fundsbecome available.

VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd NNaavvaall MMuusseeuumm ffrroomm CCrroossssrrooaaddss PPllaazzaa nneeaarr SSccootttt SSttrreeeettIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

PPrree--sscchheemmaattiicc ccoonncceepptt ppllaann ooff NNaavvaall MMuusseeuummIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects , P. C.


DDeevveellooppmmeenntt PPaarrcceellss

The identification of approximately225,000+ sq. ft of predominantlycommercial development space is aprogrammatic requirement of the MasterPlan. In the Preferred Alternative, sevendevelopment sites have been identified (seethe chart to the right). While these parcelsare treated as green space in Phase Two ofthe Master Plan, Urban Design Guidelines(see Appendix) have been developed toprovide direction on the treatment of theseparcels as they mature into fully developedsites. Development parcels ranging in sizefrom 3,880 square feet to 29,045 square feetwill accommodate a variety of mixed usedevelopments that will complement the ErieCanal Harbor. Such uses as museumfacilities, restaurants, clothing stores, bikeand boat rentals, boutique shops, offices,confectioners and some upper level housingwill add to the character and vitality of theErie Canal Harbor. It is anticipated that theground floor uses will be commercial andthe upper floors would allow more privateuses such as office and residential. Inaddition, to complement the servicerequirements of the Skyway, a limitedamount of open space is required as part ofthe Plan. While potential uses are many, thesiting and design of new development willbe important and must adhere to the UrbanDesign Guidelines that will be incorporatedinto Buffalo's Waterfront Urban RenewalPlan.

The buildings on the development parcelslocated throughout the site should evoke thecharacter of the historic buildings of thecanal district through the scale, massing, andmaterials of the new construction. Two- andfour-story mixed-use buildings with façadewidths similar to those of the Canal periodare strongly encouraged throughout the sitein order to create a lively and pedestrianfriendly environment. Development isrequired to follow the "build to" lines thatfollow the footprint of the historic streetpattern, except allowances for recessed,courtyard entries and service drives (seeUrban Design Guidelines). Along historicstreets, building facades will be required to

use historically complementary coloredmasonry and/or stone. Building designsshould evoke but not replicate historicbuildings. The Master Plan designencourages the recall of historic elements andarcheological iconography includingbuilding thresholds, party walls, street signs,building names and historic buildingfootprints. Historic elements and events canbe marked using either historic orcontemporary materials in paving or wallpatterns. Facades that are not facing historicstreets, such as along Scott Street and aroundskyway piers, will also be of masonry, but canhave a more contemporary design.

It is likely that archeological remains exist inareas of the development parcels that werenot disturbed by construction of the Skyway.These remains are likely to include intacthistoric fabric particularly around buildingfoundations that adjoined historic streets(e.g. builders trenches), as well as formerprivies. These may also include thebasement walls and floors of buildings thatonce existed here, as well as constructiondebris from the demolition and infill of thebuildings. These archeological resourcesshould be preserved when new work isundertaken within the development parcels.As part of the consultation process with theNew York State Office of Parks, Recreationand Historic Preservation, a preservation andmonitoring protocol for archeologicalresources will be prepared prior toundertaking new construction work withinthe development parcels.

The theme, Dynamic Canal District, shouldbe incorporated into the design of newbuildings. This can be accomplishedthrough the use of architectural motif orstyles, authentic materials, and interpretiveelements

A summary of bulk regulations for each parcel is as follows: Special development and designconsiderations as specified in the UrbanDesign Guidelines are required for thoseparcels located underneath the Skyway.These involve additional regulationsrequiring consultation and approval from theNew York State Department ofTransportation regarding proposed land uses,clearances, building size, and otherdevelopment features that could affectregular maintenance and access requirementsfor the Buffalo Skyway.

SSkkyywwaayy TTrraannssiittiioonnaall SSppaaccee && DDeevveellooppmmeenntt PPaarrcceellssIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

Parcel Bldg. Footprint

Max. Stories

Min. Stories

Max Height

Stepback @ Cornice

Max. FAR Max. Dev. Area Encouraged Use Open Space Under skyway

1 3,880 sf 4 2 60' 1:1 2.75 10,670 sf Comm./Instit./housing 400 2 15,365 sf 4 2 60' none 2.75 42,250 sf Comm./Instit./housing 1,540 3 9,408 sf 4 2 60' 1:1 2.75 25,900 sf Comm./Instit./housing 1,000 4 7,630 sf 4 2 60' none 2.75 21,000 sf Commercial/housing 760 5 29,045 sf 4 2 60' 1:1 2.75 80,000 sf Comm./Instit./housing 2,900 6 11,026 sf 4 2 60' None 2.75 30,300 sf Commercial/housing 1,100 7 5,653 sf 4 2 60' 1:1 2.75 15,500 sf Commercial/housing 570

Total: 82,007 sf 225,620 sf 8,270

S-1 7,210 sf 3 2 45’ 1.75 12,618 sf 720 S-2 4,238 sf 3 2 45’ 1.75 7,417 sf 420 S-3 12,383 sf 3 2 45’ 1.75 21,670 sf 1,240

Total: 23,831 sf 41,705 sf 2,380


OOPPEENN SSPPAACCEE EELLEEMMEENNTTSSHistoric interpretation at the site recallscommercial and transshipment themes ofthe canal and railroad eras. The PreferredPlan is configured to reveal the alignmentand texture of built spaces - buildingfootprints and facades, cobble paved streets,cut-stone sidewalks, and wooden decking atthe Central Wharf. Due to the nature of thesite's historic "hardscape", shade and windprotection, important factors in the successof any open space, will be provided througharchitectural elements rather than naturalfeatures.

SSttrreeeettssccaappeessStreetscape construction and site amenitiessuch as lighting and railings will bepatterned after, be sympathetic to, or haveincorporated within, specific evocativehistoric elements that are evident in historicphotographs of the street fabric oncepresent at the site. Original cobbles foundon-site will be reset where feasible, in theiroriginal location at historic grade. Thestreet paving will be completed usingadditional cobbles salvaged from Buffalo'swaterfront district and from other areas ofthe City where possible. New stone curbswill be set and new cut stone sidewalks willbe constructed along each historic street.The City of Buffalo Department of PublicWorks will maintain streets and walkwaysestablished within public rights-of-way. Allother areas will be managed under amaintenance agreement with a localorganization such as Buffalo Place.

GGrreeeenn SSppaacceessGreen spaces on the site are limited to openlawns and the planted medians along thePrime Slip bikeway. These linear beds areenvisioned as seasonal landscapes utilizinghardy shrubs and ornamental grasses.Gently sloping lawns will be provided at theUnion Block interpretive site overlookingthe Commercial Slip, as a backdrop to theSteamship Hotel ruins, and as a slopingoverlook at the South Basin. Street trees areprovided along Main Street and are used asbuffer elements at the fenced pump stationand at the cruise ship parking lot.Development parcels also requireconsideration of open and green space intheir design (See Urban Design Guidelinesin the Appendix).

HHAAMMBBUURRGG DDRRAAIINNThe Hamburg Drain is a combined seweroverflow (CSO) drain that passes through thehistoric right-of-way of the Commercial Slipwith an outfall on the Buffalo River. Theterminal section of the Hamburg Drain wasconstructed within the Commercial Slip in1927 prior to the Slip being filled. Re-establishment of a navigable Commercial Sliprequires removal of the portion of theHamburg Drain that exists within the Projectlimits. A feasibility study was conducted in2001 to evaluate relocation options for theHamburg Drain.

Numerous alternatives were identified andevaluated, ultimately refined to two that werefurther evaluated under this Project. The firstalternative involves termination of the drainat the head of the Commercial Slip. Waterquality issues associated with CSO in the Slipafter storm events are addressed through thepumping of aerated water into the Slip. Inaddition, control of floatable materials is to behandled by a collection system within theremaining drain section. It will be housedwithin a subsurface structure located at thehead of the Slip along Scott Street. Thesecond alternative involves the relocation ofthe drain to the east to a new outfall in thevicinity of the Central Wharf. Thisalternative is significantly more costly, andgiven the size of the drain, impacts areas ofarchaeological resources to be used in thehistoric interpretation program. Because ofthese limitations, the alternative involvingtermination of the Hamburg Drain isrecommended in the Plan pending regulatoryapproval and the environmental reviewprocess. An on-going maintenance programfor the Slip will also be necessary, similar toother marina facilities along the river andlakefront, to remove floatables that enter theslip from the Buffalo River and in the eventthat some floatable materials escape theplanned collection system. The proposedapproach under the recommended alternativeaddresses water quality issues as they relate tothe Commercial Slip and the adjacent projectarea. Regulatory requirements associatedwith the Hamburg Drain and numerousother CSO's along the Buffalo River are beingaddressed through BSA's Long Term ControlPlan, which is still under development.Several stages of improvements are proposedunder that plan. Some specific improvementsunder the plan include floatables control,volume reduction, and storage.

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TTwwoo -- RRee--llooccaattiioonn -- NNOOTT RREECCOOMMMMEENNDDEEDDIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee OOnnee -- RReecciirrccuullaattiioonn -- RREECCOOMMMMEENNDDEEDDIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

MMooddeell sshhoowwiinngg tthhee pprrooppoosseedd GGhhoosstteedd SSttrruuccttuurreeModel: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

NNeeww PPrriimmee SSttrreeeett wwoouulldd iinncclluuddee ssttoonnee ssiiddee wwaallkkss,, ccoobbbbllee ssttrreeeettss,, ggrraanniittee ccuurrbb aanndd eemmbbeeddddeedd rraaiillrrooaadd ttoo eevvookkeetthhee hhiissttoorriicc cchhaarraacctteerr ooff ssiittee.. AAbboovvee iiss aa hhiissttoorriicc ssttrreeeett iinn SSccoottllaannddPhotograph: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd PPrriimmee SSttrreeeett ffrroomm SSoouutthh BBaassiinn llooookkiinngg ttoowwaarrddss CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp BBrriiddggeeIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


IINNTTEERRPPRREETTAATTIIOONNIInntteerrpprreettiivvee EExxhhiibbiittss

Interpretive exhibits will be incorporatedinto the landscape of Erie Canal Harborthroughout the site. Exhibits will berepresentational and experiential to themaximum extent possible. That is,representational features such as replicacanal boats, bronze figures, loadedhandcarts, found objects, structures, andother exhibits will be favored overinformational signage. Exhibits will betangible and touchable. Their merepresence will enliven the landscape andprovide immediate visual communication.Waysides and interpretive signage,addressing topics such as the UndergroundRailroad, will provide a rich complement tothe representational exhibits.

Interpretive items will be woven into thefabric of new construction. Bronzemedallions, wood planks, railings, brickwalls, the ghosted structure, and otherdesigned items will provide opportunities todesign interpretive messages, images, andinformation directly into the fabric of newconstruction on the site.

Above all, the interpretive experience at ErieCanal Harbor must be of high quality. Thevisitor experience must be visceral,immediate, powerful, and fun. The designand execution must live up to the highstandards of architecture, art, and landscapedesign in Buffalo.

AArrcchheeoollooggiiccaall RReessoouurrcceessDuring the course of the Erie Canal HarborProject, several archeological investigationshave been undertaken, including severallarge excavation blocks taken in the vicinityof the former Coit Block/McCutcheonBuilding; in areas of former buildings alongLloyd Street; and in the vicinity of theformer location of the Prime Slip. Inaddition, other excavations have beenundertaken to help inform this Master Planand site design process, including a fullexcavation of the both the western andeastern edges of the Commercial Slip toidentifying the extent of stone wall remnantsthat still exist, as well as undertaking a seriesof units to identify the nature, extent, andcondition of former Medina Sandstonepaved streets (commonly referred to ascobblestone) to identify the potential forreconstruction/reuse as part of the system ofpedestrian and vehicular routes.

These investigations have yielded a numberof archeological features associated with thesite's former urban fabric that has beenincorporated into the interpretative programof the Master Plan, as well as a vast amountof artifacts that have been curated forinclusion in the University of Buffalo's(UB's) repository in the Department ofAnthropology. It is anticipated that UB willestablish a local repository for these artifacts,and those recovered at the HSBC Arena site,at a location in the Niagara InsulationsBuilding in the Cobblestone HistoricDistrict.

The features, artifacts, analysis, andconclusions/recommendation associatedwith all of the prior investigations conductedare documented in the Phase II/Phase IIIInvestigation and Data Recovery Report forthe Erie Canal Harbor Project, prepared byPanamerican Consultants. Based upon thisreport, it is anticipated that the long-termmanagement of archeological resources (boththose already uncovered and potentialresources that would be uncovered insubsequent phases of the Project) will beconducted via a Programmatic Agreement(PA) among the agencies responsible forimplementation the current and futurephases of the project. The PA will set theprotocol for future investigations;monitoring; curation of artifacts; and ifnecessary, mitigation of resources on oreligible for inclusion on the NationalRegister of Historic Places.

A survey of the site undertaken in 1910 is overlainwith the areas where archeological evidence has beenfound. Compared to the dense construction thatformerly occupied the site, a small portion of thearcheological record has survived.Source: City Survey Office, City of Buffalo

During the 1940s almost all of the canal districtbuildings were demolished resulting from theconstruction of the Memorial Auditorium and later theskyway.Source: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, FitzgeraldCollection

With the construction of the Buffalo & Erie CountyNaval and Military Park and its parking lot, a new erabegan for the former canal district. By the 1990s, plansto move the museum and redevelop the site wereunderwaySource: Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc

Exhibits, such as this system of signs, markers, andbrochures for downtown Manhattan, provide directinterpretation for visitors.Photograph: Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc.

New streetscape elements can provide interpretationand evoke the historic character of the site. Theredevelopment of the Fulton Ferry Landing inBrooklyn, New York, provides an example.Photograph: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C

Preservation of of ruin at Pointe-a-calliere in Montreal Photograph: Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc.


IInntteerrpprreettiivvee CCoonncceeppttssInspiration for new interpretive elements came from historic documentation andphotographs of the canal district and contemporary examples of engaging interpretation.The following vignettes are representative of a series of interpretive devices developed by theDesign Team. These and other yet to be developed devices are recommended in designingthe site interpretation.

CCrroossssrrooaaddss AAddvveennttuurree:: MMeeeett aatt BBuuffffaalloo’’ss CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp && CCeennttrraall WWhhaarrff IInntteerrsseeccttiioonnIllustrations: Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc.


CCrroossssrrooaaddss AAddvveennttuurree:: MMeeeett aatt BBuuffffaalloo’’ss CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp && CCeennttrraall WWhhaarrff IInntteerrsseeccttiioonnIllustrations: Chermayeff & Geismar, Inc.

IInntteerrpprreettiivvee RReeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnssThe following sketches reveal how historic themes and events can inspire interpretiveelements to be installed on the site. Each element is designed to convey the historic characterof the site and encourage visitors to explore the history of the canal district


The Erie Canal Harbor is located at the base of Buffalo's Main Street and offers immediateconnections to downtown and to the nearby Cobblestone Preservation District. The siteoffers significant opportunities to draw people from downtown to the Canal district as wellas connect visitors to the site back to downtown and other locations in Buffalo and beyond.

URBAN CONNECTIONS

One of the main objectives in developingthe Erie Canal Harbor is to create a vibrantsite that is tied into the city and downtown.A key component of the Erie Canal HarborProject is its ability to enhance and facilitatepublic access to the waterfront via existingmodes of transportation. Recently, theAuditorium stop on the LRRT wasrenamed the Erie Canal Harbor stopproviding a better link to the Erie CanalHarbor site.

With the Cobblestone District adjacent tothis site, links must be made to thisneighborhood so that the vitality of the ErieCanal Harbor site extends out to theCobblestone district.

Discussions remain underway regarding thedevelopment of the Memorial Auditorium.Formal and informal connections with theErie Canal Harbor site will allow for sharedsynergy. Every effort should be made tomake thematic links and easy physical accessbetween the two sites a priority.

The Erie Canal Harbor must takeadvantage of the surrounding area context,including the HSBC Arena, the HSBCAtrium Building, and the proposed parkinglot just northwest of the site. Employees ofarea businesses offer an immediateconstituency to this site and should beencouraged to visit and enjoy the ErieCanal Harbor via access and amenities onthe site (i.e., food vendors, noon time orafter work concerts and events).

New development should be designed insuch a way that it supports the thematicstructure and the goals and objectives of theErie Canal Harbor Project. Urban DesignGuidelines for new development on theErie Canal Harbor site (included in theAppendix to this document) have beenprepared that provide recommendations

regarding siting, massing, and materials usedin the design of new buildings. The UrbanDesign Guidelines provide a useful tool forthe design of parcels located within the ErieCanal Harbor site, in addition to theirincorporation into the Urban Renewal lawsof the city.

The Buffalo and Erie County HistoricalSociety is exploring the feasibility ofrenovating the upper level of NFTA'sDL&W Terminal (which lies immediately tothe southeast of the Erie Canal Harbor site)as a possible satellite site that would focus onthe broader themes of Buffalo and WNYhistory. Should this Project proceed, strongthematic connections and a clear physicallink between the two sites should beestablished.

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN TTOO CCIITTYY AANNDD DDOOWWNNTTOOWWNN

CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN TTOO OOTTHHEERR DDEEVVEELLOOPPMMEENNTTSS

DDiiaaggrraamm sshhoowwiinngg pprrooppoosseedd UUrrbbaann CCoonnnneeccttiioonnssIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


PPrreeffeerrrreedd MMaasstteerr PPllaannIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


The approach used to develop this MasterPlan was conducted in the context of anoverall Supplemental Environmental ImpactStatement process. The process was initiatedin May 2003 with a public scoping meetingthat solicited public and agency commentson the broad scope of issues related toredesign of the Master Plan. The purpose ofthis approach was to add heritageinterpretation and an understanding ofavailable historic fabric and archeologicalresources to achieve the overall goals of theproject. This was followed by the MasterPlanning effort itself. This involved datacollection, historic research, and siteanalyses; formulating a series of reasonableconceptual site alternatives; evaluation ofthese alternatives against criteria based uponthe refined Project goals and objectives; andformulation of a Preferred Alternative. ThePreferred Alternative grew out of thecomponents of the conceptual alternativesthat best met the performance criteria. At

key milestones in this process, opportunitiesfor public involvement and input wereprovided. This included meetings and worksessions with key interest groups as well asdesign workshops with the general public.Three meetings with heritage-related interestgroups took place between May andSeptember of 2003. The workshopsestablished heritage related goals andobjectives, determined the period ofsignificance and identified potential sitethemes. Following each of theses meetings,workshops were held with the general publicin May, September and November thattouched on the heritage aspects of the Plan butfocused primarily on the opportunities andconstraints of the entire site. In addition,several coordination meetings were held withregulatory agencies and sponsors of otherpublic infrastructure projects in the vicinity ofthe Project site to ensurereasonableness/continuity with proposals

being considered at the Erie Canal Harbor.

PROJECT APPROACH

BBiirrdd’’ss eeyyee vviieeww ooff IImmpprroovveedd PPrroojjeecctt AArreeaaIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


Throughout the development of this MasterPlan, many agencies played critical roles inproviding sponsorship and leadership for thiseffort. Some organizations provided overallsupport, while other entities were directlyinvolved in the unfolding of this Plan andwill continue to play essential roles in itsimplementation. These include thefollowing:

• FTA, the federal lead agency, has been responsible for the provision of federal transit funding to implement planned multi-modal infrastructure improvements.

• ESDC, a state funding sponsor and the New York State lead agency on the Project, has served as the overall managerfor the planning phase and will continue to manage the Phase II design/construction of the infrastructure improvements proposed under the MasterPlan.

• NFTA, in its role as the designated local recipient of federal transit funds, has provided oversight related to the administration of FTA funds used on the Project and to provide input to the relationship of the Master Plan to the Authority's existing bus and rail facilities.

• NYSTA, a principal funding sponsor, has participated in providing oversight of the Project's relationship to the overall New York State Canal System.

• City of Buffalo, a funding sponsor and theowner of lands comprising the Project site,has been responsible for review and adoption of regulations that will guide future development on the site. It has coordination of every aspect of the MasterPlan, given that they will be ultimate owner of most of the infrastructure improvements.

• Buffalo Sewer Authority, a funding sponsor, is the owner/administrator of storm-water and wastewater sewer facilities

PPRROOJJEECCTT LLEEAADDEERRSSHHIIPP AANNDD SSPPOONNSSOORRSSHHIIPPin the City. It has participated in planning, analysis, and design activities related to the implications of reconfiguringthe Hamburg Drain to implement the reconstruction of the Commercial Slip.

• Erie County, a funding sponsor supportingthe regional implications, has participatedin all aspects of the Plan, specifically through the Department of Environment and Planning.

• Erie County Industrial Development Agency, which hosts the operation of the City's Waterfront Development Coordinator's office.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a sponsor that is funding and constructing the SouthBasin.

PPrrooggrraamm aanndd SSiittee OOppeerraattiioonnssA. Buffalo and Erie County Naval and

Military ParkPresently the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park draws people to the Erie Canal Harbor and provides visualand programmatic purpose to the Erie Canal Harbor site. Once the Museum relocates to its expanded site, it will play an even more critical role in how people make use of this area. To enhance its current visitation and to take advantage ofthe cross over with the Erie Canal Harborthe Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park needs to evaluate its currentexhibition Plans with an eye toward enhancing the visitor experience and broadening their audience.

B. Buffalo Place As the maintenance and program managerof the Main Street Pedestrian Mall and asthe organizer of the "Thursdays in the Square" concert series Buffalo Place has expressed interest in playing a similar rolein overseeing similar aspects of this site bymanaging public gatherings at the site including festivals and concerts. Similar toits role as manager of the Main Street

Pedestrian Mall, Buffalo Place may be responsible for maintaining the landside ofthe site, including snow and garbage removal as well as grass cutting. A management plan is forthcoming which will identify operating expenses for the site, roles and responsibilities, as well as a funding source.

C. City of BuffaloThe City of Buffalo (or its designate) willbe responsible for marine facilities on the site including administration of commercial boat use and visiting recreational users; regular maintenance and debris removal in the Commercial Slip, South Basin and along the water's edge; general upkeep of signage and othermarine facilities; and seasonal installation/removal of the Central Wharffloating dock.

D.Buffalo and Erie County Historical SocietyThe Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society (BECHS) has expressed interest inbeing the local interpretive entity to

conceptualize and organize content for ongoing heritage interpretation activities on the Erie Canal Harbor site. In addition, BECHS would like to be designated as the lead agency to develop and manage the Erie Canal Interpretive Center for Buffalo that has been proposedby the Federal Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. BECHSis ideally positioned to assume these roles.BECHS offers knowledge and experience with historic artifacts and interpretation and would be a logical entity to oversee theongoing interpretation of the site.

VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp aanndd pprrooppoosseedd BBooww SSttrriinngg BBrriiddggee ffrroomm SStteeaammsshhiipp HHootteell RRuuiinnssIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


As part of the Master Plan process, three fullbuild out design alternatives were created thatreflected input from the general public andheritage-related interest groups. The threealternatives share common elements requiredby the refined goals and objectives. Thecommon elements include the CentralWharf, Commercial Slip, South Basin, Navaland Military Museum, historic street pattern,Hamburg Drain, circulation system, cruiseship docking, development parcels, transitplaza, historic/archeological interpretiveelements, and boat access. However, each ofthe three alternatives has particularcharacteristics that makes each unique.

ALTERNATIVE CONCEPT PLAN

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee OOnneeIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TTwwooIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TThhrreeee Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

PPhhaassee TTwwoo -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee OOnneeIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

PPhhaassee TTwwoo -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TTwwoo Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

PPhhaassee TTwwoo -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TThhrreeeeIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE OONNEE• Covers a broad period of significance -

early 19th century through early 20th century railroad era.

• Site surface is primarily hardscape with trees along outer street edge only and around development parcels six and seven.

• Vehicular circulation occurs one-way off of Scott Street via Hanover, Prime and Perry Streets to Main Street. Prime Streetis wide as in railroad era with multiple railroad tracks. Limited access on Commercial Street and a portion of Prime Street.

• Use of two railroad era bridges (lattice truss and box truss).

• Commercial Slip is re-watered with towpath and wood wharf north of bridgeand contemporary elevation and cut-down bulkhead with wood wharf south of bridges.

• Steamship Hotel ruins are conserved withpaving and stabilized earth used as basement surfaces. Access via ramp at north end and stairs at south end.

• Naval Museum building (s) located on canal at Union and McCutcheon blocks with second floor exhibit space bridging between McCutcheon and Union Blocksand over the bridge ramp.

• Central Wharf interpreted with 2-story ghosted structure; low building at west end. West face to have a cut-down bulkhead to accommodate recreational boaters.

• Lloyd Street remnant preserved and Lloyd Street extended onto wharf and outto Scott Street (same throughout all alternatives).

• South Basin constructed at east end of Central Wharf in reduced size and relocated position to create historic wharfand to allow for cruise ships at south endof site.

• Seven development parcels pulled back from the street edge, and laid out per original parcels with building façade locations demarcated. Access to skyway piers occurs via paved brick alleyways.

• Cruise ship docking site and Administration building at east end of site (same throughout all alternatives).

• Interpretive elements incorporated into design including bridges, Central Wharf,Steamship Hotel and Prime Street.

CCoonncceepptt MMaasstteerr PPllaann -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee OOnneeIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE TTWWOO• Covers a broad period of significance -

early 19th century through 20th centuryrailroad era.

• Creates a somewhat more park-like feel -trees on perimeter, portion of Prime Street has raised planting beds, and east side of Central Wharf has sloping lawn with trees.

• Vehicular access occurs via one way new vehicular road, Prime and Perry Streets toMain Street.

• Use of bridge same as Alternative One. • Commercial Slip is re-watered with

towpath and wood wharf north of bridge,south of bridge has cut-down bulkhead on east side and contemporary elevation on west side of Slip with concrete pavingon both.

• Steamship Hotel ruins conserved with combination paving and green landscaped areas, access to basement via stairs at north end and ramp at south end

• Naval Museum located along canal on McCutcheon Block with a second building located to the west with a connecting bridge between.

• Central Wharf same as Alternative One, plus Prime Slip recalled as water feature and sloping lawn with trees facing the South Basin.

• South Basin (same as Alternative One).• Eight development parcels same as

Alternative One except where new vehicular road is introduced. Access to skyway piers via paved concrete access area ways.


CCoonncceepptt MMaasstteerr PPllaann -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TTwwooIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE TTHHRREEEE• Narrow period of significance - focused

on 19th century Canal Era with early railroad references in Prime Street.

• Most park-like feel with softscape parkway under skyway including trees and sculpture park. Sloping lawn with trees on east side and festival garden withtrees on west side at Central Wharf and adjacent to South Basin.

• Vehicular access off of Scott Street to Main Street as in Alternative One with narrower Prime Street. Limited access onCommercial Street and the remainder of Prime Street.

• Single Bow Truss bridge recalling originalWhipple Truss over Commercial Slip.

• Commercial Slip is re-watered with towpath north of bridge on east and westsides of Slip, with earth finishes south of the bridge; bulkheads are cut-down with concrete and wood wharf finishes.

• Steamship Hotel ruins treatment and access same as Alternative Two with stabilized earth and sloped lawn infill on aportion of area.

• Naval Museum located on Coit-McCutcheon Block as single three story building with a single story open-pavilionin the yard area.

• Central Wharf softscape and hardscape plaza without 2-story ghosted structure orPrime Slip water feature.

• South Basin constructed as per Alternative One and Two, with the additional feature of viewing steps addedto the east face of the bulkhead.

• Seven development parcels laid out adjacent to historic street pattern and with layouts loosely based on footprint oforiginal parcels. Access to skyway piers via parkway under skyway, service road for emergency service access placed on Prime Slip route.


CCoonncceepptt MMaasstteerr PPllaann -- AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee TThhrreeeeIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


RREEVVIIEEWW AANNDD EEVVAALLUUAATTIIOONNOnce the three design alternatives werepresented to the public, a matrix was developedto evaluate the three alternatives with regards topublic and interest group comments and inrelationship to fulfilling the Project goals andobjectives. Based on the outcomes of thisevaluation tool, the Preferred Alternativepresented earlier in the Master Plan wasdesigned as a hybrid of those elements fromeach of the three alternative Plans that werefavored by the public and Project sponsors anddeemed to fulfill the design objectives by thedesign team.

This Alternative Evaluation Matrix wasdeveloped to evaluate the key components ofeach Alternative Plan against the goals andobjectives of the Master Plan. The goals andobjectives included for the HeritageInterpretation section are new to this designeffort and indicate the new emphasis on historyas an overall objective of this Master Plan.Each Alternative was ranked against detailedevaluation criteria to determine the Alternativethat best met the overall goals and objectives forthe future development of the Erie CanalHarbor site. Many of the objectives were pre-determined by the last Master Planning effortand were stipulated as requirements for thefinal Master Plan Alternative. As a result thereis very little difference between the threeAlternatives as reflected in the Matrix on Page37. Each element of the Plan was reviewedaccording to the following Matrix ranking.

The shaded areas represent those programelements that have the highest ranking based onthe stated evaluation criteria. As represented inthe Matrix on the next page, positive outcomeswere found in all three Alternatives, althoughthe majority can be found in Alternative 3.Using this Matrix as a guide, the design teamdeveloped a hybrid Preferred Alternative thattook these findings into account.

PPuubblliicc WWoorrkksshhoopp Photograph: Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.

DDeessiiggnn EEvvaalluuaattiioonn ooff TThhrreeee NNaavvaall MMuusseeuumm AAlltteerrnnaattiivveessIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

DDeessiiggnn EEvvaalluuaattiioonn ooff TThhrreeee PPrriimmee SSttrreeeett AAlltteerrnnaattiivveessIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.

DDeessiiggnn EEvvaalluuaattiioonn ooff TThhrreeee VVeehhiiccuullaarr AAcccceessss AAlltteerrnnaattiivveessIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


KKEEYY::+ Very GoodX Good 0 Poor

AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee EEvvaalluuaattiioonn MMaattrriixxPrepared by: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C..


PPrreeffeerrrreedd MMaasstteerr PPllaann -- PPhhaassee TTwwooIllustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


PPHHAASSEE OONNEE EELLEEMMEENNTTSSThe redevelopment of the Erie Canal Harborinto a new harbor with waterside andlandside components was an outgrowth ofthe Inner Harbor Development ProjectMaster Plan completed in 1999. Thoseelements completed during Phase Oneinclude:• Relocation and rehabilitation of the three

naval vessels to a new excavated Naval Basin west of their original location.

• Relocation of memorials to a new VeteransPark.

• Enhancement and expansion of existing esplanade facilities to create a continuous walkway along the water's edge.

• Pedestrian connections from the waterfront esplanade to the proposed Phase Two Commercial Slip and to Scott Street.

• Force Main relocation.

PPHHAASSEE TTWWOO EELLEEMMEENNTTSSPhase Two of the Preferred Master Plan isdesigned so as to provide the basicinfrastructure for the full Master Plan with apriority of finished projects at the water'sedge. As in all phases, the design allows forincremental development. As additionalfunds are identified the site will be furtherenhanced as per the design vocabularyestablished in the Master Plan includinghistoric finishes and interpretation.

Commercial Slip• A re-watered navigable Commercial Slip

in alignment with original Commercial Slip.

• A towpath/walkway on the west and east sides of the Commercial Slip.

• Construction of a bowstring truss bridge. • Commercial Street reconstructed and

made available for service and emergency access.

• Steamship Hotel and Lloyd Street ruins uncovered and preserved as an archeological site with a combination hardand grass surface.

• Site of the former Union Block as an interpreted site with a grassy, sloped lawn.

Historic Streets• Street sections rebuilt at historic grade.• Lloyd, Perry and Hanover Streets for

pedestrian and limited access vehicle use only.

• Prime Slip and Prime Street as contemporary materials with a new streetextending Prime Street in the southwest corner of site for vehicular use.

• A portion of Prime Street will be re-built in cobblestone following the early 19th century narrow footprint.

• Commercial Street to be re-built and re-opened as a cobblestone street.

Central Wharf• Hardscape with interpretive elements

integrated into the paving. • Interpretive exhibit/structure to establish

sense of place and for weather protection. • Site for a sheltered pavilion.• Festival site.• Floating steel framed wooden surfaced

dock adjacent to original bulkhead. • Wooden wharf at upper level with steps

down to floating steel framed wooden surfaced dock.

Buffalo and Erie County Naval and MilitaryPark• Two buildings with walkway over

Commercial Street. • Buildings sited to have immediate

connection and open access to Exhibit Yard.

• Exhibit building in the yard will allow forflexible expanded exhibition space that will open out to Naval Yard.

Open Space• Transitional greenway with pedestrian and

service access under skyway. • Development Parcels defined by historic

building footprints and treated as landscaped space.

• Crossroads Plaza north of Naval Yard at Commercial Street.

• Intermodal Transit Plaza at Main and Scott Streets.

South Basin• Sloped lawn on east side of basin.• Pedestrian walkway around basin edge.

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

LLAATTEERR PPHHAASSEESSWith the understanding that it may be yearsbefore the Erie Canal Harbor is developed toits full potential, the Master Plan provides aclear direction for the eventual developmentand build out of the 10.9 acre site. The fullbuild out of the site will be dependent uponthe economic well being of Buffalo and theidentification of additional funds as well asdevelopers who might be interested indeveloping one or more of the developmentparcels. Later phases include further siteinterpretation; upgrading of materials toreflect the historic significance of the site;additional progress on the site including thedevelopment of identified parcels; and theconstruction of a Cruise Ship AdministrationBuilding.

RROOLLEESS AANNDDRREESSPPOONNSSIIBBIILLIITTIIEESSESDC has acted as the overall Projectmanager - and will remain in this capacitybeing responsible for the design andimplementation of this Plan through PhaseTwo with a completion date set for 2007.Beyond the completion of Phase Two, theCity of Buffalo will become the primary partyresponsible for the implementation of thisMaster Plan and the future build-out of thissite. This will be regulated through theadoption of an Urban Renewal PlanAmendment embodying the currentlyprogrammed and planned infrastructureimprovements, as well as land use, urbandesign, and architectural standards includedin this Master Plan. In effect, upon adoptionof this amendment, the components of thisMaster Plan will have the full force and effectof law. As future development proposalsevolve for the full build-out of the MasterPlan, many agencies/entities will be involvedin review, administration, and potentialfunding of such improvements, including thefollowing:

• City of Buffalo, which will be the ultimateowner of most of the infrastructure improvements (with the exception of the Hamburg Drain), will continue to be responsible for administration and maintenance of the harbor facilities, as well as be the approving authority for private development upon the designated development parcels, through site plan approval by the City Planning Board and the Common Council, as well as potentialreview by the Buffalo Preservation Board depending upon the nature of a development proposal;

• Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, in their role as administrators of land within designated urban renewal areas, will be responsible for developer designation and further enforcement of approved design standards embodied with the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the site;

• Buffalo Sewer Authority, the ultimate owner of the Hamburg Drain facility, willbe responsible for maintenance and floatable debris removal within the Drain itself, via a planned containment structureat the head of the Commercial Slip;

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in additionto undertaking final design and construction of the South Basin, will be responsible for permitting all marine-related facilities under Section 10 of the Harbors and Rivers Act as well as continued control/maintenance of the Buffalo River channel and along the bulkhead adjacent to the Esplanade, the Commercial Slip, and the South Basin, in their role of protecting and maintaining safe navigation in the federally-designated Buffalo Harbor;

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, under their powers under Section 401 of the US CleanWaters Act, will be responsible for review and issuance of Water Quality Certification for the Project, including plans to reconfigure the Hamburg Drain;

• ESDC, as the State of New York's primaryeconomic development agency, will continue to be involved in economic development activities at the site in terms of administration of its ongoing programsof development incentives for private development (e.g., Empire Zone Program);

• Erie County, as regional partner in heritagetourism and development will continue tobe involved in overall development of the site through the Department of Environment and Planning;

• Erie County Industrial Development Agency; as part of the region's economic development team, will assist with projectcoordination and potential business assistance incentives for future development at the project site.

• Erie Canalway National Heritage CorridorCommission is currently in the process of developing a coordinated management plan for the entire Erie Canalway Corridor(extending from Albany to Buffalo). This entity will be involved in ongoing administration, marketing, and future development at the site. The Erie Canal Harbor is considered among candidate sites for one of the Erie Canal Interpretative Centers.

PPhhaassee OOnnee -- CCoommpplleetteedd 22000033Illustration: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P. C.


VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd NNaavvaall MMuusseeuumm ffrroomm CCrroossssrrooaaddss PPllaazzaa nneeaarr SSccootttt SSttrreeeett Illustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd PPrriimmee SSttrreeeett ffrroomm SSoouutthh BBaassiinn llooookkiinngg ttoowwaarrddss CCoommmmeerrcciiaall SSlliipp BBrriiddggeeIllustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

VViieeww ooff pprrooppoosseedd PPrriimmee SSlliipp ffrroomm SSccootttt SSttrreeeett Illustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.


The Project budget for the Erie Canal Harbor was established in 1997 at $27 million. Thisbudget was increased to $46 million in June of 2002.

The sources of funds for the project are as follows:

New York State Thruway Authority $11,700,000Federal Transportation Administration 14,323,832State of New York 10,000,000County of Erie 6,000,000City of Buffalo 300,000Buffalo Sewer Authority 2,000,000US Army Corps of Engineers 2,000,000

_________TToottaall $$4466,,332233,,883322

The Project team was directed to prepare a Master Plan that included the addition of theheritage theme including restored historic elements and interpretive exhibits, and the use ofthe funds was structured as follows:

Phase I completed projects 2003::Naval Basin $ 8,020,000Naval Vessels $ 2,120,000Veterans Park $ 2,020,000Naval Museum $ 3,000,000Force Main Relocation $ 540,000

Phase II Proposed Projects 2004 - 2007:Commercial Slip $ 3,733,000Hamburg Drain (Alt. 2) $ 3,497,000Public Open Space Infrastructure $ 5,425,000Central Wharf Bulkhead $ 300,000South Basin and Pier $ 2,700,000

Soil and Sludge Disposal $ 656,000

Soft Costs $12,712,832Contingency $ 1,600,000

TToottaall $$4466,,332233,,883322

The design team prepared three alternative plans as presented earlier in this document.Although the cost for each of the alternatives differed somewhat due to individual designelements such as the amount of paving, landscape and type of bridge used over the Slip, allthe plans were generally in the same order of magnitude in cost. Because of this and the factthat the Preferred Master Plan was most likely to be a hybrid of elements from each of thealternatives, cost was not used as one of the variables in choosing between the alternatives.After the Preferred Alternative was designed, a detailed budget including labor and materialestimates was developed for the total build out of the Plan. In addition a Phase Two scope ofwork was developed for the work that could be accomplished with the monies available inPhase Two up to this point. The full text of the budgets for the Preferred Master Plan andPhase Two of that Plan is available in the appendix of the Master Plan (available throughESDC). The summary of the budget line items for the full build out of the Preferred MasterPlan is as follows:

Master Plan Budget SummaryInitial Preferred Budget Master Plan Difference Comments

Phase INaval Ship Basin $8,020,000 $8,020,000 0 FixedNaval Vessels 2,120,000 2,120,000 0 FixedVeteran's Park 2,020,000 2,020,000 0 FixedForce Main Relocation 540,000 540,000 0 Fixed

Phase IINaval Museum 3,000,000 3,000,000 0 AllowanceCommercial Slip 3,733,000 3,865,000 $132,000 EstimateHamburg Drain 3,497,000 3,497,000 0 EstimatePublic Open Space 5,425,000 11,126,000 5,701,000 EstimateInfrastructure

Site Utilities* 1,710,00Paving and Surfacing* 2,707,00Site Prep/Earthwork* 731,000Site Improvements* 5,920,000Pump Station Ventilation* 58,000

Interpretive Elements 0 3,279,000 3,279,000 EstimateCentral Wharf Bulkhead 300,000 620,000 320,000 EstimateSouth Basin & Pier 2,700,000 2,023,000 (677,000) EstimateCruise Ship Facilities 0 1,925,000 1,925,000 EstimateSoil & Sludge Disposal 656,000 2,114,000 1,458,000 Allowance

Soft Costs 12,712,832 12,712,832 0 FixedConstruction Contingency 1,600,000 1,600,000 0 Fixed

Subtotal 46,323,832 58,461,832 12,138,000

City of Buffalo ROW 1,200,000 4,753,000 3,553,000Paving/Utilities

TToottaallss $$4477,,552233,,883322 $$6633,,221144,,883322 $$1155,,669911,,000000

* Subtotals for Public Open Space Infrastructure

PPRROOJJEECCTT BBUUDDGGEETTIn order to develop a plan to stay within the budget for Phase Two of the Project, the scope of thePreferred Master Plan was reduced by deferring a number of the Projects to later phasing strategy. Indeveloping the phasing strategy, priority was given to establishing the basic infrastructure of the sitewith emphasis on the water's edge. The Sponsors and the design team hope additional funding canbe identified to fully develop more of the Preferred Plan during the design phase of the Project. Ifthis is not possible, then some of these Projects can be completed in future phases. Out of necessitya number of the most significant aesthetic and interpretive elements have been deferred in favor ofnecessary infrastructure such as the Commercial Slip, the Hamburg Drain and the South Basin. Inorder for the Project to have the maximum economic, cultural, and visual impact, the design teamstrongly encourages the project sponsors to implement the majority of the plan elements as soon asadditional funds become available. This strategy will maintain momentum allowing project goals tobe realized more quickly.

The scope of Phase II as developed to date includes significant deferrals in three areas includingPublic Open Space, Historic Interpretation and Cruise Ship Infrastructure. Additional funding andalternative approaches are being pursued in a number of other program categories including City ofBuffalo ROW Paving, Waterway Infrastructure, Utilities and Soil and Sludge Disposal. The specificsof the scope of these items are identified in the budget for Phase II, which appears in the appendix.The categories and costs of deferred items are as follows:

Deferred ProjectsOpen Space Infrastructure

Site Utilities 956,000Site Prep/Earthwork 20,000Paving and Surfacing 929,000Site Improvements 3,680,000

Subtotal $5,585,000

Interpretive Elements 2,854,000Cruise Ship Infrastructure 1,925,000Miscellaneous Items 316,000

Alternative Funding:City of Buffalo ROW 3,553,000Soil & Sludge Disposal 1,458,000

TToottaall $$1155,,669911,,000000

Investigations are ongoing to reduce the cost of the soil disposal fees. There is also ongoinginvestigation into additional sources of funding for a number of areas including federal funding forthe Historic Streets, and reimbursement for work on the Hamburg Drain and the Commercial Slipbulkhead wall.


Source: Collection of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Source: Collection of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Photograph: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C.


CONCLUSIONThe Erie Canal Harbor site provides an unprecedented opportunity for Buffalo to celebrate thebirth of this great city and its role as the western terminus of the Erie Canal. By focusing onthe Canal Era, this site, like no other site in the City, commands attention and allows for thecelebration of Buffalo's waterfront.

Public sentiment helped to focus attention on the history of this site and has driven all designsolutions presented in this Master Plan. This Master Plan provides clear direction on how thissite should be interpreted and treated. While allowing for incremental development, theindividual site solutions stand independently. The Master Plan offers specific guidance and anoverall strategy regarding the development of the Erie Canal Harbor as a vital hub of activitythat embraces Buffalo's history and leads it into the future.

Illustration: Flynn Battaglia Architects, P. C.

erie canal harbor master plan (2004)

Documents

erie county naval

erie county military

collection of buffalo

project manager paul

project manager david

regional director

project manager thomas

erie county historical