Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Board of Directors met today and approved a measure for the repair and maintenance of Shark Girl, to ensure that the popular sculpture remains at Canalside for the foreseeable future. The contract with the Albright- Knox Art Gallery (AKAG) to complete the scope of work will not exceed $49,900, which includes temporary deinstallation, conservation/maintenance and reinstallation activities.

“Shark Girl is a beloved, whimsical year-round fixture at Canalside but needs some rejuvenation after flashing her toothy grin for so many selfies over the years,” said ECHDC Board Chairman Robert Gioia.  “This agreement with the Albright-Knox will allow Shark Girl to better handle all her fans interacting with her, as well as stand up to harsh Buffalo winters, for years to come.”

Unveiled at Canalside in the Summer of 2014 as part of a public art initiative between AKAG, Erie County and the City of Buffalo, the sculpture by artist Casey Riordan Millard quickly became a social media darling—and as synonymous with Canalside as the Whipple Truss Bridge.  As the star of thousands of photographs and selfies, Shark Girl   is beginning to show excess wear and tear that is beyond repairing with standard maintenance work.

During the past four-plus years, AKAG has worked with ECHDC to remove Shark Girl from Canalside for short periods of time to make various repairs and touch-ups. However, a more permanent solution is needed to ensure Shark Girl remains at Canalside for years to come.

Under this new agreement, AKAG is expected to remove Shark Girl from Canalside sometime after Labor Day for a period of approximately 8-10 weeks to begin repairing and restoring the piece with Millard’s oversight. AKAG will then return and reinstall Shark Girl to Canalside. The scope of work includes ongoing annual maintenance of the piece, including any future paint touch-ups and conservation.

The project funding source will be the New York Power Authority Relicensing Agreement.

The ECHDC Board was also presented with two informational items:

• ECHDC has established a Terminal A Reuse Advisory Group to explore potential reuse options for the buildings and surrounding property of Port Terminal Building A on the Outer Harbor. The complex, constructed in 1930-31 by the Ford Motor Company, was ideally located along the waterfront for convenient shipping and receiving. The building was designed by Albert Kahn for large-scale automobile assembly line production and was recently approved as a Local Landmark/Landmark Site by the Buffalo Preservation Board. The advisory group’s work will assist the ECHDC Board of Directors to understand potential planning directions and provide non-binding strategic advice. It is expected that the committee will meet monthly or bi-monthly for a 12-month period to prepare written materials for presentation to the ECHDC.
• ECHDC has finalized its plan for nearly 200 acres on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor and will move into the next phases of the project, including conducting a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) and developing a General Project Plan (GPP). The plan emphasizes recreation in three unique waterfront zones: First Buffalo River Marina; the 166 acres that include Wilkeson Pointe to Bell Slip; and Terminal B. The overall goals of the project include improving use and enjoyment of the Outer Harbor, enhancing bicycle and pedestrian access and minimizing adverse impacts on communities and the environment.  Buffalo Billion II has committed $15 million for the next phase of this project.

About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two non-voting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.

As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty.

Contact:

Pamm Lent | [email protected] | 716-846-8309 | (800) 260-7313

Laura Magee | [email protected] | 716-846-8239 | (800) 260-7313