New York State has launched a market and urban-design study to guide Buffalo's next phase of waterfront development, examining housing, businesses and public spaces from the Erie Basin Marina to the Cobblestone District.
Empire State Development selected planning and design firm MKSK to lead “Canalside: The Next Wave,” a strategy intended to shape development around Canalside, KeyBank Center, Sahlen Field and the Buffalo River over the next decade.
The study area will stretch east to Michigan Avenue and sit between the Buffalo River and Interstate 190. State officials said the work will identify new development sites, improve connections to downtown and nearby neighborhoods, and build on roughly $750 million in earlier state investment.
MKSK will conduct market and urban-design analyses, lead public outreach and recommend an overall development framework. Its work will be shared with Empire State Development, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., Erie County, the city of Buffalo and other public and private stakeholders.
Study will assess housing, commerce and public space
The planning team will evaluate the financial feasibility and market demand for potential residential units, hotels, restaurants, retail space and experiential public areas. Officials said the goal is to create a district that is active throughout the year rather than only during major events or warmer months.
The strategy will also consider how new projects fit with development already underway. Those projects include Pennrose's mixed-use North Aud development, the resumed Heritage Point project on the South Aud Block, the completed Chandlery on the North Aud Block and changes around the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship.
Other nearby investments include the opening of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's DL&W Terminal facility and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority's redevelopment of affordable housing at Perry Homes and Marine Drive Apartments.
MKSK was founded in 1990 and works in planning, urban design and landscape architecture. State officials cited its experience with waterfronts, downtown redevelopment, transportation networks, parks, trails, public spaces, tourism and sports and entertainment districts.
Residents can weigh in through early November
An online community survey is available through buffalowaterfront.com and will remain open through early November. The planning process will also include public pop-up events for residents, businesses and visitors.
The first event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at The Hatch at Erie Basin Marina. Additional sessions are planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 during Canalside Fall Fest and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at Seneca One.
State Sen. April Baskin said residents and small businesses that have invested in the neighborhood should have a meaningful role in determining what comes next. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan also encouraged the public to participate.
Empire State Development President Hope Knight said the planning effort will use market data to guide the next round of investment. Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. Chair Joan Kesner said the work should improve connections across the waterfront and support a district used throughout the year.
MKSK Principal Jeffrey Pongonis said the firm will build on nearly three decades of waterfront investment while looking for ways to make Canalside both a neighborhood and a regional destination. The final strategy is expected to prioritize projects that reflect market conditions and the public's stated needs.
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