Step one of the Buffalo Outer Harbor plan includes the transfer of nearly 400 acres of land to New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation, the creation of Buffalo's first public swimming beach, and comprehensive community input.
Photo: Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.

Buffalo (pop. 261,310), situated in the western border of the state, is on the eastern shores of Lake Erie, where the Niagara River empties.

Gov. Cuomo announced in Sept. 2013 his plan for transforming Buffalo's waterfront. The first component calls for the transfer of up to 400 acres of land on the Outer Harbor from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) www.nfta.com to the state, bringing the community's goal of increasing future recreational opportunities and fostering redevelopment. The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) www.eriecanalharbor.com is to acquire the land from NFTA to plan for future development and use. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) nysparks.com will operate half of the property, which includes the Small Boat Harbor and Gallagher Beach, as a new state park. Public input will help determine how an additional 130 acres of open land on the Outer Harbor can be used to revive the waterfront.

Cuomo said the plan is a first step in bringing new investment and businesses to the waterfront, to build a state park and the city's first public swimming area at Gallagher Beach. New York DOT has recently completed a new pavilion, boardwalk, picnic tables and chess game tables for the beach.

Two long abandoned port terminals are expected to be sold or leased. NFTA will operate the boat harbor during the 2014 boating season as part of the transition to State Parks control.

Congressman Brian Higgins notes that for nearly six decades, a major portion of Buffalo's Outer Harbor has lacked significant investment, remained underused and under the control of a public transportation. He believes Gallagher Beach and the Small Boat Harbor will finally receive the attention they deserve, and the people of Buffalo will reclaim public access along the water's edge.