Coalition, City team up to Build Observation Deck Overlooking Canal District

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Mayor Anthony Masiello and Preservation Coalition executive director Tim Tielman announced a joint effort to build an elevated viewing pavilion to overlook the ongoing excavations at Buffaloís fabled Canal District.

They made the announcement on Friday January 26 at the very spot of the pavilionís future location: smack dab at the head of the western terminus of the Erie Canal.

Visible right now are the full length and breadth of the canal (also known as Commercial Slip) south of Marine Drive, the cobblestones of Lloyd Street, and recently unearthed, the foundations of the Union Block (home of Dug's Dive) and the Coit Block, as well as the stone west wall of the canal and a wooden wharf dating to the early 20th century.

"Given the strong public interest in the Inner Harbor project, particularly the historic legacy of the Erie Canal, my administration has come together with the Preservation Coalition to provide better public access to the ongoing development and reconstruction activity on the site," stated Mayor Masiello. "The key is to provide an appropriate setting for the general public to view and learn about the continuing activity to restore our historic waterfront. I thank Tim Tielman and the members of the preservation Coalition for their cooperation on this very worthy effort."


Tielman called the deck "an instant tourist attraction," and thanked the
Mayor and County Executive Joel Giambra (represented at the event by
Commissioner of Environment and Planning Larry Rubin, who played a pivotal role in managing the reversal of the stateís earlier plan). "This observation deck will allow the people of Buffalo and visitors to see the historic walls of the western terminus of the Erie Canal and the infrastructure of the Canal District as they come to light."

The city will own the structure, while the Coalition, which is coordinating the architectural design of the deck, will assist in supervising its construction and will provide ongoing interpretive signage. The structure will be of wood with a translucent roof covering the deck and access stairs and ramps.

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