Tonight at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. will host a public hearing to solicit feedback on one of the region’s most exciting economic development projects. Canal Side involves the revitalization of more than 20 acres of prime waterfront land within the City of Buffalo’s historic inner harbor. Included in the proposed Canal Side development plan is roughly $315 million in public and private investment, featuring more than 1 million square feet of retail, cultural, residential, office and other mixed-uses.

The Canal Side project utilizes a dynamic design that not only evokes our great city’s heritage as America’s former “gateway to the west,” but also focuses on accentuating downtown Buffalo’s connection to the waterfront, through the creation of various interpretive water features and towpaths reminiscent of the district’s fabled canal network.

The extremely well documented “hustle and bustle” of the historic canal district will be a prominent theme within the Canal Side environment. Along activity filled canals, visitors will encounter year-round offerings and experiences, including restaurants, entertainment venues, retail, cultural attractions, public spaces, ice skating, family programming and increased access to Lake Erie and the Buffalo River.

Canal Side will have transformative qualities for Western New York well beyond dollars and cents. But, make no mistake, Canal Side will increase the city’s tax base and contribute to the economy through employment and sales tax revenue. All this, while giving people an undeniable reason to live, work or come back downtown.

Construction is anticipated in phases, each offering unique features to the inner harbor. Following the environmental review process, which is under way, more visible construction will commence with an anticipated completion for the first phase in 2011.

This first phase includes more than 700,000 square feet of development and will establish a nucleus for additional growth. Visitors can expect restaurants, shops, cultural attractions, canal water features, towpaths, parking, a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and much more.

The Erie County Harbor Development Corp. is eager to receive additional public comment on the Canal Side design, and we look forward to presenting an evolved and advanced project plan in the coming weeks, as the required environmental review process moves toward completion. Construction is finally in sight, and we join all those in the community who can’t wait to see shovels in the ground.

Western New Yorkers deserve nothing short of greatness on their waterfront, and Canal Side will answer that call. This project is not a swing for the fences, but a strategic game plan for revolutionizing the waterfront, one step at a time. Through community input, world-class designers and energetic leadership, Canal Side has the makings to truly be Buffalo’s next great place.

Thomas P. Dee is president of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.