By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The NFTA Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday afternoon to begin talks on turning over its outer-harbor property to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.
NFTA Executive Director Lawrence Meckler says they hope to finalize the agreement by February 1st. Meckler says it's time for the transit agency to focus on its core mission of running Metro Bus and Rail and Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
US Senator Charles Schumer says the NFTA's action comes at a critical juncture for waterfront development. He says having one -- and only one -- agency responsible for such development is essential to moving the project forward.
Meckler did say the pending land transfer does not rule out a continued role for the Uniland-Opus group, which has proposed a $350 million development plan for the outer harbor.