The following post appeared in the April Edition of Bee Newspapers:

Although the temperatures are barely above freezing, there is plenty of work underway to make it another exciting summer on the waterfront.  With new food options and amenities, expanded waterfront access and trails, there is bound to be something for everyone.

On the Inner Harbor

Two new food venues will debut—a sit down bistro in the Naval Museum and a takeout food stand—offering visitors and families a place to refuel with all of the activities happening.  Speaking of activities, thanks to the hardworking people at Buffalo Place, this summer there will be over 300 events—nearly triple the number of cultural, recreational and educational events as last summer.

With the completion of the cobblestone streets and extension of the Central Wharf, waterfront-goers have an additional 400 feet of access, connecting the waterfront path to Main Street and providing a link from the Erie Basin Marina down along the Ohio Street corridor to Festival Park.

Work continues to move forward on the waterways with updated plans for the historically aligned canals.  More planning is in the works for the next several with construction estimated to begin this fall.  Rounding out the completion of infrastructure projects, new public restrooms will be made available.

On the Outer Harbor

Already under construction, the Union Ship Canal Node project took input from the shore-fishing community and will include shore-fishing opportunities with convenient parking, fishing amenities and a car-top craft launch.

The Gallagher Beach node will provide an enhanced landscaping and pedestrian amenities at the soon-to-be-finished area in front of the pier that Gallagher Beach and will include a shade structure, a welcome addition for patrons in the warm summer months.

In close proximity to the Terminal A building, the Industrial Heritage Node will interpret the railroad infrastructure at this location and provide other enhanced interpretation.  In addition to the Outer Harbor Landscape Design Panel, this node was developed with input from the Industrial Heritage Trail Committee.  It will incorporate reused sandstone from the Buffalo War Memorial Auditorium.

The multi-use Times Beach trail which runs the length of the Outer Harbor will be a raised wooden platform in the vicinity of this Nature Preserve.  Lastly, work is set to start next month at the Coast Guard site to open up public access to the water and the historic lighthouse, a project that our office worked to secure $6 million for completion.

Month by month, we continue to see the momentum build along our waterfront, taking steps towards realizing the full economic potential of Buffalo’s waterfront.  Looking forward to another summer along the waterfront!