Politician Press Releases
Congressman Higgins Brokers Transfer of Outer Harbor from NFTA to Waterfront Development Corp.
By
Sep 20, 2006, 14:14

BUFFFALO, NY – Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced he has obtained agreements from leaders at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) to commence negotiations on the transfer of NFTA waterfront property to the Harbor Development Corporation.

“The NFTA does an excellent job in their role providing public transportation, but developing 130 acres of urban waterfront land is not their core mission,” said Congressman Higgins. “This will put the destiny of our Outer Harbor back into the hands of those who are locally invested in this community and will have a singular focus of rebuilding our water’s edge.”

Congressman Higgins is proposing the transfer of 130 acres of land controlled by the state Authority to the local Corporation. The NFTA has been responsible for oversight of this area for the last 50 years. The suggested deadline for the transfer is February 1, 2007.

In a letter to ECHDC Chairman Anthony Gioia and NFTA Chairman Gregory Stamm, Congressman Higgins recommends, once the land is transferred, the ECHDC proceed with a land-use plan which concentrates on public parks and green space, but still provides ample opportunity for private development.

The Congressman also addressed public access concerns, highlighting a call for immediate attention to the conversion of Fuhrmann Boulevard into an urban parkway, the necessity of constructing a ground-level crossing between downtown and the Outer Harbor and the eventual removal of the Skyway Bridge.


Attachment: Rep. Higgins Letter to NFTA & ECHDC


Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3227


September 15, 2006


Ambassador Anthony Gioia
Chairman
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
420 Main St., Ste. 717
Buffalo, NY 14202

Hon Gregory Stamm
Chairman
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
181 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York 14203

Re: Transfer of Waterfront Property from NFTA to ECHDC

Dear Ambassador Gioia and Mr. Stamm:

I write today to propose the transfer of Buffalo waterfront property
currently controlled by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
(NFTA) to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC). This transfer
will be a substantial step forward for realistic and attainable waterfront development.

Rationale

The NFTA has done an outstanding job of attracting low-cost airlines to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and increasing that facility's positive economic impact on the region, and performs many other functions admirably. Being first and foremost a transportation agency, however, the development of hundreds of acres of urban waterfront is outside the NFTA's core mission.

The ECHDC, on the other hand, has the mandate, the singular focus and the tools to facilitate the development of Buffalo's Outer Harbor waterfront. I am confident that the ECHDC will make the most of this unique opportunity.

Preliminary Proposal Parameters

* I propose the transfer of approximately 130 acres from NFTA to ECHDC. This includes all NFTA-controlled property from the Terminal A building up to and including the NFTA-controlled property at the Seaway Piers.

* Together with the long-awaited transfer of extensive NFTA property to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the creation of a new state park, this will constitute the complete divestiture of all Outer Harbor lands by the NFTA.

* I propose that a target deadline of February 1, 2007 be set for the transfer.

* I propose that the ECHDC proceed with a land-use plan which is much closer to the "Citizen's Vision for the Lakefront," a plan promulgated by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, which concentrates development along the North and South ends of the subject area but provides for very ample public green space in the center of the development area and all along the water's edge.

Related, Concomitant Issues

Transportation Infrastructure

* The aspect of the Southtowns Connector plan which laid out the complete reconfiguration of Fuhrmann Boulevard as a two-way urban parkway is fully funded and must proceed with all haste. Construction bidding is expected in mid-2007 and this schedule must be kept.

* Other aspects of the Southtowns Connector plan should be scrapped in favor of proposals which will more readily afford access to the Outer Harbor.

* It is absolutely essential that at least one ground-level crossing between downtown and the Outer Harbor be constructed.

* In the slightly longer term, after at least one new ground-level crossing between downtown and the Outer Harbor is constructed and the toll barriers on the I-190 are eliminated, the Skyway and the elevated section of Route 5 can be removed. This will allow dense development on an additional 60 acres of waterfront property.

The Buffalo Outer Harbor State Park

While a Member of the New York State Assembly, I proposed that the NFTA's Small Boat Harbor, Gallagher Beach and related properties be converted to a state park. The NFTA and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have reached an agreement on the terms for this transfer. The contract is currently being processed. This transfer must occur immediately. In this way, the substantial revenues derived from slip rentals and concessions will be reinvested into public waterfront amenities.


The Outer Harbor Greenbelt

The NFTA has worked diligently to enable construction to shortly proceed on the long-awaited Outer Harbor Greenbelt. This is the start, not the end, of high quality public access at this part of the Outer Harbor. ]

The schedule for this $14 million project must be maintained.

I thank you both and your respective agencies for your anticipated collaboration as we work together to provide for meaningful waterfront development at Buffalo. I very much look forward to working closely with each of your agencies in the future.

Sincerely,

Brian Higgins
Member of Congress


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