BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York State is making some big investments to improve Buffalo's waterfront.
Gov. Kathy Hochul was in the Queen City on Monday to announce that four major projects are in the works to improve accessibility, boost economic development, and bring more activities to the area.
One plan is a $216.2 million restoration project to restore over 21 acres at Canalside and 200 acres on the Outer Harbor. Other plans would improve conditions at Wilkeson Pointe, the Bell Slip and Canalside's gateway building.
The improvements at Wilkeson Pointe would include new restrooms, seating areas, restaurants and improved landscaping. $10 million will be invested in the project, according to Hochul.
"Creating nicer restrooms down there. I said, I don't really want to see Johnny on the Spots and port-a-potties down on my waterfront, okay, I think we can something about that, so we're going to have the right size, the right size restrooms to accommodate people and also, and ultimately have the opportunity in the next phase, we'll talk about that at another time, but I'd love to see little cottages and little buildings to have different kinds of food down there because, you know, people really want to be able to just enjoy the whole experience, spend a whole day there," said Gov. Hochul.
"This would be the real epicenter of activity down in our waterfront, and we expect that to be completed - they tell me 2025 - I'd like to shave off a little time there but we'll talk about that afterward," Hochul said.
A feasibility study will also be conducted for the Buffalo Riverwalk.
"We're going to transform that [Buffalo Riverwalk] into elevated walkways, fishing piers, docks, promenades. Here's what we need to do - connect the Outer Harbor with Canalside," Hochul said.
In addition to these projects, Hochul says the state plans on bringing more passenger cruise ships to Buffalo.
"It's not going to be the three-thousand people Disney cruise coming here. There are Great Lakes cruise ships which maybe have one-hundred or two-hundred people on them. We've actually had one or two pull in at the Erie Basin Marina. And I've talked to people. They get off and they take a walk over to Canalside and they have a great experience, but it's not really marketed the way we'd like it to. It's sort of one-off, so even just having a couple of ships come in like that, I already know that the demand will be there. We just have to get the cruise ships to get us on their schedules, that's part of it. And we have to prove to them that we have the amenities. What are the amenities? Restrooms, showers, restaurants in close proximity, and that's what we're all offering them," said Governor Kathy Hochul.
There's also plans to improve the traffic situation in the area, and plans to add a splash pad at Buffalo Harbor State Park.
You can watch the full announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul below: