"People's Plan" for Buffalo's Canal District Wins International Award

The Final Master Plan for the Erie Canal Harbor Project, the "People's Plan" resulting from the input of dozens of civic organizations and hundreds of individuals at a series of public meetings and comment periods, itself the result of a lawsuit that sought meaningful public input, has won the prestigous Planning Honor Award from the international Waterfront Center at its 19th Annual “Excellence on the Waterfront” program competition. The Master Plan is available for viewing and download in an earlier post.

Ironically, a new ESD subsidiary, The Empire State Development Corporation (ECHDC) has repudiated the "People's Plan" and is seeking a clawback, taking over the site both philosphically and financially. We are back to the site as a mere cookie-cutter shopping destination to benefit established community powers.

Here is an excerpt from the Empire State Development Corporations press release issued at the time the award was issued. :

“This award is something all of New York State can be proud of.  The Erie Canal Harbor Project has been recognized for its exciting vision for the future of Western New York as well for its outstanding design,” Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano said.  “Receiving the “Planning Honor Award” confirms what we have long known:  Governor Pataki’s leadership is moving New York State towards a better and brighter future by embarking on projects that will make our state an even greater place to live, work and visit.”

The project was submitted for consideration by Peter Flynn of Flynn Battaglia Architects PC, and Thomas Blanchard, Director of Research & Planning for the Western New York office of Empire State Development Corporation, and was selected from a field of 74 entries from across the world.  With the Planning Honor Award, the Erie Canal Harbor Project joins other category award winning projects and communities like the Wuxi Li Lakefront Design in the Jiangsu Province in China, the Walsh Bay Project in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and the Silvertown Quays Master Plan in London.

In praising the harbor project, the Waterfront Center referred to the extensive and thorough public participation process and the manner in which the project enlivens the site as the terminus of one of the great engineering feats in the history of the United States – tying together the interior of the country to the east coast.  The plan was also applauded for its overall vision and for creating a year round central feature that will be a source of pride for the city and a place to learn about the canal’s heritage.  In conclusion, the Waterfront Center report announcing the award stated that when implemented, the plan would have a “catalytic effect on animating downtown Buffalo”.

Project submissions were judged by a jury of professional planners, designers, city officials and community, business and development representatives with extensive experience in urban waterfront projects.  Criteria used to evaluate the entries consisted of: 1.) Sensitivity to water; 2.) Quality and harmony of design; 3.) Civic contribution; 4.) Environmental contribution; and 5.) Educational contribution.

The Waterfront Center is an international non-profit, public interest educational organization that assists waterfront communities in making the wisest long term use of their urban waterfront resources.