Empire State Development news and press releases

Work will be completed in phases, see renderings here Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) met today and affirmed the General Project Plan (GPP) for the Buffalo Outer Harbor Civic and Land Use Improvement Project with minor modifications.  This affirmation of the GPP is the culmination of six years of planning, community engagement and coordination with the City of Buffalo and other entities and outlines future improvements to the city’s Lake Erie waterfront that will build on earlier upgrades recently completed by ECHDC. Read the affirmed GPP here and see renderings here. “Today’s affirmation of the GPP is an exciting milestone for the Outer Harbor,” said ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia. “This project will improve over 200 acres of land, providing for increased water and land access, open space, public amenities and an awareness of local history needed to reconnect the city to its waterfront.” ECHDC provided 60 days for public comment on the GPP—an extension from the required 30 days—at the request of several organizations and individuals.  The public comment period was in lieu of a public hearing on the GPP due to COVID-related safety precautions.  In response to the comments received from the public, several minor changes and/or corrections were made to the GPP adopted in November 2020: Zoning Code at 901 Fuhrmann Boulevard (Terminal B):  The zoning was listed as N-1C, Urban Core (Mixed-Use Core).  The zoning has been corrected to N-1S, Urban Core (Secondary Employment Center).  Cultural Arts:  The addition of cultural arts has been added to the sitewide elements discussion, specifically under Passive and Active Recreational Amenities. First Buffalo River Marina:  The last paragraph under this Subarea description has been deleted in its entirety, clarifying that no mixed-use development will occur at this site. The project will be done in phases, with completion over a 20-year span, or as funding becomes available.  Phase 1, estimated to cost $44 million, will be funded by the Buffalo Billion, ECHDC—via the New York Power Authority (NYPA) through relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project—and federal sources.  This initial phase, which will begin by the end of 2021, includes the creation of new and enhanced open spaces, increased land and water access, the addition of comfort stations, and passive and active recreational amenities.  Improvements on more than 50 acres of upland and watered property, including the creation of an aquatic habitat in Slip No. 3, rehabilitation of Terminal B, and upgrades at Bell Slip and Wilkeson Pointe, would occur during this first phase. The total GPP project budget is estimated to be $151 million. Later phases will be implemented when funding is secured.  With the Outer Harbor GPP affirmed, the board authorized ECHDC to enter into a consultant agreement not to exceed $545,400 with Turner Construction Company for construction management services associated with the plan.  Turner is a national, multidisciplinary construction management firm and its team for the Outer Harbor project includes Rodriguez Construction Group (MBE), AA Report Writing & Consulting (WBE) and Trophy Point, LLC (SDVOB).  The Turner team will: represent ECHDC throughout the Phase 1 pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases; maintain responsibility for the day-to-day management of the construction process; and is committed to deliver a high-quality project on time and within budget. The ECHDC Board also authorized ECHDC to enter into a three-year agreement with Be Our Guest, Ltd., a subsidiary of Rich Products Corporation, for the management of events and concessions on the Outer Harbor, from the Lakeside Complex to Wilkeson Pointe, including the Bike Ferry landing.  The contract with Be Our Guest, which has managed the Outer Harbor for the past five years, is a revenue generating agreement that represents no cost to ECHDC. The ECHDC Board also: Authorized ECHDC to enter into a consultant amendment for architectural engineering services on the North Aud Block with TY Lin International.  The amendment allows for amending the contract to add additional tasks, including design development and construction documents, at an amount not to exceed $612,234. Approved the design of two parking lots owned by Department of Transportation (DOT) at Canalside.  The rehabilitation of the parking lots will significantly enhance visitors’ first impressions of Canalside and downtown Buffalo.  Under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership, New York is making a historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation.  In 2013, almost 400 acres of land on the Outer Harbor was transferred from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to ECHDC. As part of that transfer, Buffalo Harbor State Park was designated as the 180th state park in New York’s system and the first in the City of Buffalo.  The remaining approximately 247 acres of land north of Buffalo Harbor State Park is now operated by the ECHDC, which completed several capital improvements to increase public access to and use of this property, and conducted several community-driven planning studies that have informed the current and future disposition of the project site.  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 (Governor’s Office) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309 Laura Magee (ECHDC) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239

Nearly $2 Million in Incentives Awarded to Manufacturers Across the State Will Provide Faster and More Secure Access to Life-Saving Medical Products and Create New Jobs New York State Has Announced More Than $20 Million to 36 New York Companies to Manufacture Vital Supplies; Companies to Collectively Create/Retain 3,500 Jobs Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that four additional New York companies and one company that has previously received state support will be awarded nearly $2 million in state support to produce needed supplies to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. These grant funds will help alleviate product shortages due to supply chain issues that could lead to unfair pricing practices. The companies will also increase the State's manufacturing capacity while creating new jobs and market opportunities. To date, New York State has announced more than $20 million in grants to 36 qualifying New York-based companies to retool their business lines and pivot to manufacturing vital supplies for ongoing response and recovery efforts. These 36 companies will collectively create and retain over 3,500 jobs. "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious issues in our nation's medical supply chain, and we were forced to compete overseas and pay exorbitant prices for these life-saving products," Governor Cuomo said. "We learned the hard lesson that these resources need to be manufactured here in the U.S., and we are taking steps to build the infrastructure we need here in New York to keep us prepared for future crises while helping local companies create new jobs." "Our country was ill-prepared for a global pandemic when it arrived early in 2020, and New York State was left to scour the earth in search of personal protective equipment," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We are proud to support domestic manufacturing of critical medical equipment that will not only save lives and reduce dependency on overseas products, but also retain local jobs and support New York State companies." In March, Governor Cuomo asked companies with New York-based operations to retool production lines in order to manufacture approved COVID-19 critical supplies, such as ventilators, test kits and PPE. Companies manufactured N95 respirators, surgical masks, gowns and face shields, among other products. On July 30, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced 12 New York companies had received support from the State to produce needed supplies to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to 8 companies announced by Empire State Development on May 15, 2020. On October 23, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that an additional 8 New York companies had received support to start producing COVID-19 related equipment and supplies. The program was designed to ensure that New York State's health facilities will have access to PPE if and when they need it. Read the full press release here.