NEWS
Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee Awards more than $2 Million of Funding to Local Waterfront Entities for Niagara Greenway Improvement Projects
Contact:
Michael Saltzman
914-390-8181
michael.saltzman@nypa.gov
April 15, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEWISTON—The Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee approved more than $2 million in funding for six projects to improve the welfare of the Niagara River Greenway. The funding was made possible as a result of the federal relicensing of the New York Power Authority‘s (NYPA) Niagara Power Project in 2007.
“The New York Power Authority views these funds as highly important toward maintaining the recreational, economic and environmental benefits that the Niagara River Greenway offers,” said Richard M. Kessel, NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer. “The region’s waterfront areas are some of New York State’s great assets and today’s announcement is a vital step forward in capitalizing on its beauty for the appreciation of both tourists and residents.”
Erie County Executive Chris Collins said, “This funding could not come at a better time for Buffalo and Erie County. These projects represent major steps forward in restoring our waterfront and greenway. As we work toward our vision to make that Erie County a world class community where people want to live, businesses want to locate and tourists want to visit, we’re grateful to have outside funding for improvements like these.”
Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, said: “I commend the Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee, along with the New York State Power Authority, for seeing the value and benefit of funding these projects that improve several waterfront sections in Buffalo and strengthen our quality of life. From recreational, commercial and educational activities to important aesthetic improvements, these projects will continue the significant progress we have achieved in restoring Buffalo’s waterfront and reenergizing it for generations to come.”
Anne Joyce, Chairperson of the Committee and the incoming Chair of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, said: “The Buffalo and Erie County Standing Committee of the Niagara Greenway Commission is proud of the work it has done to provide a framework for the allocation of its NYPA funding for the next 50 years – we are especially delighted to begin the flow of funds into the community for exciting and well positioned projects for the benefit of all who treasure and use our waterfront and parks.”
The entities approved for project funding are:
- Buffalo Urban Development Corporation was awarded $385,000 for work on the Union Ship Canal. It will restore public access to what once was a privately-owned, heavily industrial area. The park will include picnicking, fishing, hiking, and a multi-use trail connection to the Outer Harbor.
- Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy was awarded $56,175 for work on the Riverside Park Concourse. The project includes the restoration of all aspects of the formal concourse, including: formal planting beds; the central fountain; picnic shelter with comfort facilities; a bandstand; and vehicle drop-off loop along Hotaling Drive. Work will also includes the restoration of 2,100 feet of historic pedestrian pathways with benches and other user amenities and general landscape restoration, including tree plantings.
- Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper was awarded $100,000 for possible land acquisition. The project seeks to determine the feasibility and desirability of not-for-profit’s acquisition of an 18 acre and 38 acre waterfront brownfield area within the City of Buffalo for public water access and ecological restoration purposes.
- City of Buffalo was awarded $993,506 for phase two of the Lasalle Park and Porter Ave. project. The purpose of the work is to address safety concerns and to add recreational features to the waterfront park.
- Valley Community Association was awarded $410,000 for work at the Riverfest Park. The project will create a 2.5 acre public access park on the Buffalo River on Ohio Street, just east of Michigan Avenue in Buffalo.
- Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Farm were awarded $225,000 for 2010, with an additional $275,000 slated for 2011, to ensure the continuation of 30 years of quality environmental education by the Museum at Tifft Nature Preserve and to build upon the 150 year history of research and science education at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
The Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee is composed of one representative from Erie County, City of Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and NYPA. The committee receives $2 million a year from NYPA and money not allocated during a year carries over to the following year.
As one of four standing committees established by settlement agreements, The Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee distributes funding from NYPA for projects that are deemed consistent with the Niagara River Greenway Plan. The other committees are Greenway Ecological Standing Committee, Host Community Greenway Fund Standing Committee and the State Parks Standing Committee. Greenway funding to the committees from NYPA adds up to $9 million annually over the 50-year license term for a total of $450 million.
Additional information on NYPA’s support for greenway projects can be found at http://niagara.nypa.gov.
About NYPA:
■ The New York Power Authority uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation's largest state public power organization, with 17 generating facilities in various parts of New York State and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. ■ More than 80 percent of the electricity it produces is clean renewable hydropower. Its lower-cost power production and electricity purchases support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state. ■For more information, www.nypa.gov.