Buffalo Place wants to keep running Erie Canal Harbor
Nonprofit wants more waterfront events
Buffalo Place will likely continue to oversee day-to-day operations and special events at Erie Canal Harbor beyond the May expiration of its current contract.
Jordan A. Levy, chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.’s board, said he wants to extend the Buffalo Place contract through May 2010.
“They’ve done a great job through the first year and I have every intention of renegotiating to keep them on,” Levy said. “I’m enthusiastic and confident it’s a relationship that’s good for the waterfront and downtown.”
Buffalo Place, the nonprofit downtown- boosting group that stages the “Thursday at the Square” concert series, stepped into the role of harbor keeper late last spring, providing maintenance, security, dock operations, marketing and event planning for the site’s debut year.
The agency is currently working under a $299,676 contract, which includes a one-year extension option.
“We’d love to continue what we’re doing down there,” said Buffalo Place Executive Director Michael Schmand. “I think we share the same goals as the Erie Canal Harbor folks, which are to provide a safe, clean, fun and interesting downtown experience. Now we’re taking that all the way to the waterfront.”
In 2008, Buffalo Place staged successful Fourth of July and “Buffalo Rocks the Harbor” events, a menu Schmand would like to expand.
“This time around, we have time on our side and can add more activities to the schedule. The site has so much potential as a weekend and weekday destination,” he said.
To that end, harbor agency and Buffalo Place representatives have scheduled information sessions on Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m., at Buffalo Place offices, 671 Main St., to meet with individuals, organizations, vendors and others who have ideas for beefing up harbor programming.
“This is the people’s waterfront, so we want to hear from the people. We want to hear from the public on what they liked, what else we can do and ideas to engage harbor visitors,” Levy said.
More details on the call for programming ideas and how to submit proposals can be found on the harbor agency’s Web site: www.eriecanalharbor.com.
Schmand said the harbor remains open over the winter months, with Buffalo Place crews plowing a path along the Commercial Slip and wharf on a daily basis.
“We’re open 24/7 down there and we’re still getting visitors. It’s a little chilly, but quite beautiful with the snow and ice,” he said.
Levy also confirmed the formal search has begun for a new Erie Canal Harbor agency president to replace Charles M. Rosenow, who retired in October. Performance Management Partners of Williamsville is conducting the search.
“Ideally, we’d like to have someone in place by April 1, but that doesn’t mean it can happen that fast,” Levy said. “We need the best person we can to oversee the major projects we’re embarking on.”
Dennis Mullen, Upstate president of the Empire State Development Corp., is currently acting as interim harbor agency chief.
The harbor development agency is overseeing the $325 million Canal Side redevelopment effort which includes construction of a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store, and creation of a canal-lined public plaza, Great Lakes-themed museum, shops and restaurants on the site where Memorial Auditorium now stands.
The proposed multi-phase Canal Side plan also calls for development of additional residential, hotel, office, retail and entertainment venues adjacent to the harbor, and along Main Street, from the I-190 to the Niagara River.
The harbor entity will also oversee development of more than 100 acres of vacant land along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.
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