Governor Hochul Launches Strategic Planning Process to Drive Growth and Investment on Buffalo’s Waterfront

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a strategic planning process to shape the next decade of growth, investment, and transformation at Canalside, KeyBank Center, the Cobblestone District and along the Buffalo River waterfront. This planning effort will unite local stakeholders around a shared strategy to maximize previous investments, increase neighborhood density, and accelerate the area's transition into a vibrant, year-round sustainable community. Led by Empire State Development, the strategy will deliver specific development recommendations for a targeted zone spanning from the Erie Basin Marina to Michigan Avenue, bounded by the Buffalo River and the I-190, and including Sahlen Field. Find a map of the preliminary study area.

"This strategic initiative marks the next great chapter for Buffalo's waterfront, transforming decades of momentum into a unified vision for a vibrant, year-round community," Governor Hochul said. "By bringing together local partners and analyzing market demand, we will ensure that future investments don't just build a better waterfront - they build a stronger, prouder Western New York."

To develop the strategy, a planning consulting firm will be retained by ESD to conduct a comprehensive market and urban design analysis, lead stakeholder engagement, and establish an overarching vision. This plan will provide ESD, ECHDC, Erie County, the City of Buffalo and other public and private stakeholders with the data-driven insights necessary to guide future state actions and investments - prioritizing financial feasibility, market demand and seamless integration with ongoing City of Buffalo projects and other major neighborhood developments.

Following three decades and a three-quarters of a billion-dollar investment, the Buffalo River waterfront has successfully evolved from a decaying industrial corridor into a premier regional destination rooted in Buffalo's rich Erie Canal history. Initiated by the construction of KeyBank Center and the revitalization of the Cobblestone District in the mid-1990s, and now anchored by the state's premier mixed-use Canalside development, the waterfront is poised to unlock significant new mixed-use development over the next three years.

This strategy arrives at a critical juncture as several major neighborhood investments take shape, including:

• The start of construction of Pennrose's mixed-use North Aud development;
• The resumption of construction at Heritage Point on the South Aud Block by Sinatra Development Company;
• The completion of The Chandlery on the North Aud Block by ECHDC;
• The evolution of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship;
• The grand opening of the NFTA's DL&W Terminal facility; and
• The redevelopment of affordable housing at the Commodore Perry Homes and Marine Drive Apartments by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

To capitalize on this momentum, the plan will evaluate potential development sites and scenarios for the district and provide the public and private partners with a vision of what's next for the district.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State's historic investments have already laid the foundation for a remarkable waterfront revival in Buffalo. By creating this comprehensive strategic plan, we are ensuring that the next phase of development is data-driven, market-ready, and optimized to drive long-term economic growth, business investment, and job creation along Buffalo's waterfront."

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairperson Joan Kesner said, "Governor Hochul understands that a thriving waterfront is essential to Buffalo's future, and this new initiative will provide the exact roadmap we need to keep moving forward. By convening our local partners and the City of Buffalo, ECHDC can coordinate our efforts to tackle shared opportunities, delivering a vibrant neighborhood that locals and visitors alike can enjoy every single day of the year."

Representative Tim Kennedy said, "Buffalo's waterfront tells the story of where we've been, but more importantly, it reflects where we're headed. Governor Hochul's continued investment in this remarkable asset will create jobs, strengthen local businesses, honor our heritage, and ensure more people can enjoy everything our waterfront has to offer. By building on the momentum that has transformed this once-overlooked corridor into a destination for our region, we're ensuring our waterfront remains an economic engine, an environmental asset, and a source of pride for every Western New Yorker for generations to come."

State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "Buffalo's waterfront is one of our region's greatest successes, and we must continue to build on that momentum with strategic investments. From Buffalo Harbor State Park and the new Great Lakes cruise ship terminal at the Outer Harbor to the continued revitalization of Canalside, these investments have laid a strong foundation for the waterfront's future. I thank Governor Hochul for keeping up that momentum by bringing partners together to build on this remarkable progress and create a vibrant, year-round neighborhood where Western New Yorkers can live, work, and play."

Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera said, "Buffalo's waterfront transformation has been one of the great success stories of economic development across New York State. Our commitment to planning for the next phase of growth will help ensure that Canalside, the Cobblestone District, and the Buffalo River corridor continue to thrive as destinations for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. By building on decades of investment, we can create new opportunities for housing, commerce, and year-round activity while strengthening Buffalo's position as a regional economic engine."

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryansaid, "Building a Better Buffalo starts with partnerships. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her partnership and her dedication to Buffalo and Western New York. The governor's new strategic initiative will help guide future growth in Downtown Buffalo. This data will be a tremendous tool to complement my administration's mission to build a better downtown, making it not just a 9-to-5 destination, but a vibrant place to live and play."

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.