BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Development at the vacant north aud block site at Canalside took its next step on Monday as the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation entered into a consultation agreement with Buffalo-based engineering firm TY Lin International.
The firm was given a contract worth no more than $595,316 to scout the site and come up with a concept design. Once that contract is complete and accepted by ECHDC, they will then amend the contract to complete design development and construction of the site.
"The long term goal is to bring mixed-use development to fill out the rest of that site," ECHDC President Steve Ranalli told reporters on Monday. "We know that's going to be obviously a mix of buildings, but also a mix of streets and public spaces and to take what we have at Canalside today and further that into the north aud block site and connect it to the city."
TY Lin has about four months to come up with a design for the site.
"I don't believe there will be construction on the north aud block site this year," Ranalli said while noting that they want to figure out logistics like parking and infrastructure necessary to improve other development. "We want to move quickly but I don't expect construction."