BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The wind storm this week damaged homes, trees, and other personal property around Western New York.
It also did a number on Erie Basin Marina. Docks along Buffalo's waterfront were lifted and some are crooked as a result of ice lifting underneath it. Photos of the docks make it look like the damage was severe, but Jim Marinello, the General Manager at Smith Boys Marine Sales (which operates the marina), told WBEN that the photos make it look much worse than it really is.
The City of Buffalo contracts Smith Boys for repairs and supplies them for materials. If needed, the city can send some people to assist in repairs. Cost of repairs are primarily labor-based.
Marinello said that there are 342 slips at Erie Basin Marina and only 23 docks were damaged by the ice. The marina is already in high demand, with all the slips filled and more than 200 people on a waiting list. Smith Boys expect to begin repairs by the middle of next month.
"In the unlikely event that we run into some issues, we do have alternate slips we can put slipholders in," he said. "We also have 400 slips here at our marina (in North Tonawanda). I don't anticipate that as a problem."
The city avoided extensive damage to H-dock. Last year, the city underwent extensive upgrades to H-dock with a capital improvement project which included redecking, re-fabrication, new electrical plumbing, new wood-deckings, and more.
"It does not appear to have damaged any of the surface or any of the decking," he said. "We should be able to put it right back together with very little cost."