Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) has selected a design team for a cruise ship terminal to be constructed on the Outer Harbor.
"This team is going to help us with the final analysis of our site. LiRo Engineers has extensive experience with terminals as well as Customs and Border Protection," said Mark Wendel, President of ECHDC on WBEN Wednesday.
The cruise terminal will be located at Slip 2 at the Outer Harbor.
"It's on the site of the former Pier restaurant on Fuhrman Boulevard, which was demolished 15 years ago. It can receive the largest ship currently on the Great Lakes with ease," Wendel said.
It also allows for a secure area for Customs and Border Protection.
Initially, there was some discussion about building the terminal near Canalside. But with cruise ships currently about 700 feet long and 100 feet tall, they wouldn't fit under the Buffalo Skyway.
The plan is to make Buffalo a "home port", rather than a "port of call". A home port is where a cruise begins. Guests would fly into Buffalo before embarking on a cruise.
The port would allow for local excursions. Coach buses would take guests to Canalside, the Naval Park and to Niagara Falls, for example, for the day.
"We want construction to start on the terminal in 2026 and we want to start receiving the ships in 2027," added Wendel.
He wants to make sure that Buffalo is on cruise lines' 2027 itineraries.
This port would have a customs building to receive any kind of ship coming out of Lake Ontario. It is necessary, because Buffalo would be the first U.S. stop for these ships, and Customs would be able to check travelers in.