BUFFALO (WBEN) - On Monday afternoon, two popular Canalside projects were presented before the Buffalo Planning Board, and both were recommended to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.
Monday's hearings for both projects weren't necessarily required, more like a courtesy review, as the Planning Board is more or less making a recommendation to ECHDC to approve the project.
"I think there's been a pent-up demand for this project because it's been talked about for about three years now, so I think everybody's happy to see some movement on it," said Connors.
He also discussed the unique feature of this carousel as a distinct point of pride.
"We're very excited about the solar roof system because this was envisioned originally as a solar carousel, and the solar roof will power the carousel, the operation of the carousel," he said. "It's about a 25-kilowatt solar system integrated with the roof. There's nothing like it in Buffalo, and it will be a great treasure for Canalside."
Connors added that construction is expected to be completed by July of 2020, and it should be ready for riding around that time.
"We think that's what that area has been looking for and wanting for," said Sinatra's director of development, Amy Nagy. "As ECHDC has been developing these master guidelines, working with developers and issuing RFP's, they really have been looking to make that a broader-built environment so people can continue to come down and enjoy all of the attractions that have been invested in."
As for a timeline, Nagy says we're still a couple years away from seeing the final product.
"It is a Brownfield Cleanup site, so we would like to do some investigations in the fall and early winter with the cleanup happening in the first quarter of 2020 and actual construction starting in the second quarter of 2020," said Nagy, who added that completion of the project won't likely occur until the summer of 2021.