Cannon exec to lead development of Buffalo's waterfront project
Published: March 25, 2009, 12:30 am
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The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. has reached into the private sector to tap a new president.
Thomas F. Dee, a veteran executive with Grand Island-based Cannon Design, was selected Tuesday to head the waterfront development agency that is overseeing the $325 million Canal Side project. Dee, who heads Cannon’s Construction Services Group, will join the agency May 11, filling a position previously held by Charles F. Rosenow, who retired in October.
Harbor agency Vice Chairman Larry Quinn said Dee’s three decades of experience with large-scale projects in Western New York with Cannon makes him uniquely qualified to be the hands on manager of ECHDC’s ambitious inner and outer harbor efforts.
“He’s a top performer in public sector projects and has a relationship with Buffalo,” Quinn said. “Too many times we bring in people from the outside who we think are geniuses, but they don’t end up having a real connection.”
Dee’s resume at Cannon, a highly regarded architecture, engineering and interior design firm, includes the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Erie County Public Safety Building and the new federal courthouse which is under construction on Niagara Square downtown.
Dee said he’s looking forward to the move over to the public sector side of development and becoming involved in Canal Side, which he describe as a “transformational” project for Buffalo.
“I live on the waterfront. I jog on the waterfront,” Dee said. “The waterfront is a place that lightens the heart and [Canal Side] will be a vehicle for everyone to be part of the waterfront.”
The veteran construction manager and planner said while he’s found success in the private sector, Canal Side provides an opportunity to “achieve something of significance.”
ECHDC Chairman Jordan A. Levy said Dee is “ideally suited” to run the state-funded waterfront agency as the Canal Side project evolves from concept to reality.
Dee will earn $175,000, up from the $115,000 Rosenow was paid. Quinn said the higher salary reflects Dee’s deep project experience and the 24/7 nature of Canal Side as it moves into the permit, contract and construction stage.
The sweeping, 20-block Canal Side project, includes demolition of Memorial Auditorium to make way for a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store. The first phase of the project, which should see the start of construction later this year, also includes a museum and commercial space, space and a public green with a network of canals.
The Donovan Building will be converted to a mix of commercial and residential space. A 1,000-vehicle parking ramp will go up adjacent to the Marine Drive Apartments complex. Future phases of the proposed project — which stretches from the foot of Main Street, north to the Niagara Thruway, with Pearl and Washington streets serving as west and east boundaries — include a hotel along the Buffalo River, shops and a public market tucked under the Skyway and a string of mixed-use buildings along Main Street’s Webster Block, in front of HSBC Arena.
Detailed plans for the Bass Pro store and Benderson Development’s strategy for surrounding developments are expected to unveiled in May.
Demolition of the Aud, which began in January, is said to be on schedule and going smoothly. West Seneca-based DEMCO Inc. had opened up the entire north wall and roof where the main entrance lobby once stood.
As early as next week, crews will begin to bring down the 11 massive trusses which support the Aud’s roof. Once the roof is gone, DEMCO will drop the outside walls and by this summer the 69-year-old landmark will have completely vanished from the site.
slinstedt@buffnews.com
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