Governor Pataki's press release on the
Commercial slip
Reprinted from http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year00/oct26_2_00.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 26, 2000
GOVERNOR: REHABILITATE HISTORIC INNER
HARBOR COMMERCIAL SLIP
State, County, City Announce Agreement at 175th
Anniversary of Erie Canal Opening
Governor George E. Pataki, Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra and Buffalo Mayor
Anthony Masiello today commemorated the 175th Anniversary of the official opening
of the Erie Canal in Buffalo by unveiling an improved plan to rehabilitate the historic
Erie Canal commercial slip as part of the Buffalo Inner Harbor revitalization.
"This revised plan will capitalize on Erie Canal's worldwide appeal as a cultural
and historic attraction, as well as revitalize the Buffalo Inner Harbor's maritime
operations," Governor Pataki said. "This date 175 years ago was arguably
the most important date in Buffalo's storied history. It is only fitting that on
this historic occasion we announce our commitment to embrace the future without letting
go of the past."
The revised plan, the result of a three-month review of the Buffalo Inner Harbor
Project plan by state, local and federal officials, calls for re-watering the historic
commercial slip and re-establishing the location of a portion of the historic central
wharf along the Buffalo River. The project's essential goals to provide berths to
accommodate commercial passenger vessels and public access to the waterfront with
a new plaza and the Veteran's Memorial Park remain intact.
The State will commit $4.5 million to cover the additional $8.5 million for the improved
plan, with the county and city each contributing $2 million.
County Executive Giambra said, "Governor Pataki understands both the economic
potential and the historical significance of Buffalo's unique Erie Canal heritage.
It took a visionary governor to create the Erie Canal almost two centuries ago; Governor
Pataki's commitment to this dynamic restoration of the Commercial Slip and the Buffalo
Canal District is nothing short of visionary. I'm proud that we share a commitment
to our future as an international heritage tourism destination."
Mayor Masiello said, "Today's announcement signifies the ability of partners
from the state, city and county to reach consensus on the critically important Inner
Harbor Project. Thanks to the commitment of Governor Pataki and the cooperation of
Joel Giambra, we can now move forward with a revised project design that will celebrate
the legacy of the Erie Canal and its profound impact on the City of Buffalo. One
generation opened the Western Terminus of the Erie Canal in Buffalo and another generation
buried it. Today, our generation commits itself to reopening this remarkable landmark
so future generations may enjoy it, celebrate it and benefit from its revitalization."
Empire State Development Corporation will continue to manage the design and construction
of the project. The improved plan will require design modifications and additional
environmental review (supplemental environmental impact statement).
ESDC Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "The Buffalo Inner Harbor project is
one of the most important examples of Governor Pataki's commitment to rejuvenating
this region's waterfront and tourism economies. Once again the Erie Canal will serve
as the stimulus to transform Downtown Buffalo into a primary destination for 21st
Century tourists, jobs and opportunity for the people of Western New York. I commend
Governor Pataki for his leadership and diplomacy as we move forward with this historic
investment."
The revised project has been endorsed by the Erie County Preservation Coalition.
This will result in an end to ongoing litigation against the project and provide
the basis for a cooperative effort to move the project forward.
Sue McCartney, Chairman of the Board of the Preservation Coalition of Erie County,
said, "The State of New York has shown leadership on this critical part of our
Erie Canal heritage. I want to thank ESD, and especially its local staff, in helping
build community consensus for this project. With the restoration of the Commercial
Slip and the Central Wharf, we can welcome the nation and the world to the real Buffalo
- the city that opened the west, the city that welcomed immigrants to the continental
interior, the city on whose waterfront the story of America unfolded."
Governor Pataki today also renewed his call for a $120 million capital program to
rehabilitate infrastructure and encourage development along the Canal System, which
now includes the Champlain, the Cayuga- Seneca and Oswego Canals.
That $120 million investment -- $100 million of which would come from the proposed
$3.8 billion Transportation Infrastructure Bond Act -- would leverage hundreds of
millions more in private sector development. Plans are also underway to connect the
entire 348 miles of the historic Canalway Trail along the Erie Canal, making it the
longest recreational trail in the United States.
The Governor also has proposed legislation to include Buffalo and Albany within the
Canal definition, which will provide additional funds to renovate historic sites.
Since Governor Pataki unveiled the five-year, $32.3 million Canal revitalization
plan in 1996, the Canal Corporation has launched a number of major rehabilitation
projects along the 524-mile Canal System and made it easier for everyone to enjoy
one of New York's greatest treasures.
Those projects include the $4.3 million harbor revitalization project in Tonawanda
and North Tonawanda, which flank the Western Gateway to the State Canal System. The
partnerships among the Canal Corporation, the cities and counties resulted in major
improvements to the Canal harbor areas and Canalway Trail linkages between the towns
of Tonawanda and Amherst.
On October 26, 1825, Governor DeWitt Clinton led a parade of nearly all of Buffalo's
inhabitants to the head of the Erie Canal, where a flotilla of boats waited. Governor
Clinton then boarded the packet boat Seneca Chief, officially opening the 363-mile
long Erie Canal. As the Seneca Chief pulled away, cannon fire all along the banks
of the Canal from Buffalo to New York City relayed the word that the Erie Canal was
officially open.
The year 2000 marks the 175th anniversary of the Erie Canal and also the beginning
of a new era for New York's State Canal System. Instead of transporting goods, the
canals now serve as heritage and eco-tourist destinations and engines of economic
development. Tourism is New York's second leading industry and New York's Canal System
is one of the major reasons why.
"Governor Pataki's efforts to forge strong partnerships with local communities
has made this rediscovery of our Canal System possible," said Thruway Authority/Canal
Corporation Chairman Louis R. Tomson. "We are extremely pleased that the Buffalo
Inner Harbor project will now celebrate the historic commercial slip while allowing
expansion of boater access and waterfront redevelopment important to the Greater
Buffalo Metropolitan area's future economic success."
The New York State Canal System is a 524-mile network of navigable inland waterways,
comprised of the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego Canals, which are operated
and maintained by the New York State Canal Corporation.
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