By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's long-neglected waterfront has a newly appointed group of champions ready to make sure harbor development finally stays afloat.
Members of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Monday set out to see the challenges on the horizon.
Many of those stepping on board Buffalo's fireboat, the Cotter, Monday were familiar, including waterfront watchdog U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins.
Joining him were the newly appointed development corporation members. Anthony Gioia was named chairman at a brief meeting earlier Monday. Larry Quinn was appointed vice chairman, and Chuck Rosenow will serve as president of the board.
They along with five other members, including non-voting member Mindy Rich, will try to change the tide of Buffalo's stagnant waterfront vision.
Higgins said that dawn is soon to come.
"This represents a major, a major move forward. And you will see in the next thirty-six months, the Buffalo waterfront will take on a dramatically different look and feel," said Higgins.
But as the boat floats away though the harbor and down the river its clear that much work lies ahead.
Larry Quinn points out some of the areas targeted for development.
There are acres of dismal and ruined shoreline - vestiges of an industrial past and ignorant current use. There is prime waterfront used by the New York Power Authority to store the ice boom. Old decking from the skyway litters another part of the shore.
Quinn said the Board is focused first on finalizing the deal with Bass Pro. But he said, it is important that they link the retail anchor with other projects to enhance the ecology of the waterfront, as well as the economy.
"If we just build a store here, and we don't become this Bass Pro world experience, we really miss an opportunity," said Quinn."
Everyone agrees there are enough plans to consider. Board Chairman Anthony Gioia, a former U.S. ambassador to Malta, spared diplomacy in saying it's time to move forward.
"Buffalo has never missed an opportunity, to miss an opportunity," said Gioia. "We have everything in place, there's no more need for analysis."
The money is already in place for some projects to begin, including brownfields clean-up and a linear park of bike baths and walkways.