Project Proposals and Public Comments

January 2018 - Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Seeks New Public and Recreational Development at the South End
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation ( ECHDC)
is seeking to develop the Southern End of the state owned property located between the Bell Slip and Terminals A & B.
Public Hearings before the Buffalo Common Council Legislative Committee and the Buffalo Planning Board are scheduled for Tuesday January 16.
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For more information on the proposed plan:
GreenWatch/The Public Big Outer Harbor News 14 January 2018

Plan Links
Public Hearing - Special Use - 901 Fuhrmann
7.18-49 : S. Ranalli, Agent, Special Use-Outer Harbor (901 Furhmann) to Create Bike Park in D-OG/N-1S Zone (Sou)(Hrg 1/16)
Agenda Item Printout
a.s rinali spec use 1-01042018162003
b.s rinali spec use 2-01042018162127

Our Outer Harbor Coalition Special Statement on Proposed South End Plan
January 16, 2018
The Our Outer Harbor Coalition has been meeting with the ECHDC and the consultants (Trowbridge, Wolf, Michaels Landscape Architects) on the development of this plan.
We note that this plan moves the previously announced "Mountain BIke Trail" out of the fragile Bell Slip/Seaway Piers habitat, and to the South Side of the Bell Slip. It also rebrands the trail as an Urban Bike Park. We believe that this will open up the user base to a broader public biking community, an important user group of Outer Harbor recreational facilities.
The new plan also envisions something of a permanent "festival grounds" associated with existing traffic and parking infrastructure affiliated with Terminals A & B. Eventually the plan seeks to move festivals and events away from the Seaway Piers area and into a more accessible and less fragile site. This will improve access, lessen congestion, and help to conserve natural features.
 
We thank the ECHDC for the progress made to date and for incorporating many of our recommendations into the current plan, including moving and redefining the Bike Park out of the re-naturalizing Bell Slip area; removing the Visitors Center from the Bell Slip Area; adding habitat restoration elements; shifting festivals to this portion of the Outer Harbor; repurposing one of the terminal buildings; and protecting the public from contamination.

Overall, the Our Outer Harbor Coalition approves this plan with the following caveats:
  • The Outer Harbor needs a Master Plan. We have made this point at all previous meetings and in written comments. Development in the Outer harbor needs to be guided by a master plan. It should include the following basic set of 10 principles (adopted unanimously by the Coalition 10/4/2017):
  1. Retain public ownership of public lands
  2. Be truly public—not exclusive of some publics
  3. Be water based or water dependent
  4. Protect and restore natural environments and habitats
  5. Avoid sprawl (not divert resources from the City proper)
  6. Be consistent with City policies including Green Code, Comprehensive Plan and LWRP
  7. Promote health, physical activity, access to the natural world
  8. Be based on a transparent and democratic process
  9. Be sustainable, based on conserving our natural and cultural heritage
  10. Be climate smart, based on a clear assessment of risk and resilience factors in the OH
 
  • We will ask the ECHDC to create a committee, or include members of the Our Outer Harbor Coalition, in discussions moving forward on the single track bike trail. Many members are concerned that the Bike Park is too large compared to the need for soft walking trails, and has potential to expose people to contaminants in the soil. We are opposed to the tunnel for pedestrians and wish to have access to the top of the tower for views.  New public amenities should be consistent with the above 10 principles. Some specific points:
 
  • Can the area and extent of the Bike Park footprint be smaller? Perhaps 1/3 as specialized use and 2/3 as general public use to safely accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, bikes, etc.
 
  • Can the multi-purpose bike trail be expanded and also go through wooded areas?
 
  • Can some of those paths be permeable surface and narrower ‘walking trails’ rather than bike trails, again, open to more diverse populations, bird watching, and quiet sitting?
 
  • Is it possible to have a conversation about possible points of conflict? We have already mentioned our concern about putting people through the tunnel and bikes going over (please reverse), but there are other points where someone might stray into a fast bike area on foot unwittingly.  We would appreciate reviewing these with ECHDC, designers and bikers to develop ideas to mitigate.
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  • At some point in the future we will ask the ECHDC to create a committee including members of the Our Outer Harbor coalition, to consider alternatives for Terminal A. Considerations include reuse of this facility to support festivals, parking, bathrooms, existing access to the Outer Harbor, and to be consistent with the above 10 principles.
 
  • Finally, we agreed to submit comments to the Common Council either at the public hearing in Council Chambers, City Hall at 2 PM on January 16, or in writing, or both. These comments will be tailored to the priorities of each specific group but can also reinforce any of the above points on behalf of the Outer Harbor coalition.   
Public Comments Submitted to Buffalo Common Council and Buffalo Planning Board 16 January 2018
ooh_public_comments_january_2018_.pdf
File Size: 52 kb
File Type: pdf
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souther_end_common_council_hearing_1.16.pdf
File Size: 64 kb
File Type: pdf
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comments_for_common_council_and_planning_board_january_16.2018.pdf
File Size: 69 kb
File Type: pdf
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Another Voice, Buffalo News 21 January 2018 "No Mountain Bikes on the Outer Harbor"
Larry Beahan, Adirondack Mountain Club  CLICK HERE

    Submit your comments to the Our Outer Harbor Coalition Here