Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The City of Buffalo may be one step closer to seeing cruise ships on the waterfront.
Directors of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) unanimously authorized Wednesday morning a feasibility study to determine whether or not it would be possible and profitable for cruise lines to make a stop on Buffalo's waterfront one day.
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"Last year, the governor announced bringing cruise ships to Buffalo, so we have been tasked to move that project forward," said Steven Renalli, President of the ECHDC.
Ranalli says they've been in communications with Visit Buffalo Niagara, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and the governor's office. The ECHDC put out an request for proposal and got four responses, one being New York-based M&N Engineering, who will be tasked with conducting the study.
M&N's closest office is in Rochester. Ranalli said they appear to have an a clear understanding of the Buffalo area and they could get the study done in a timely manner.
The study will not exceed the cost $217,387 and is expected to be completed before the end of March 2024.
This study will focus on four major objectives.
One, establishing a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future prospects of the Buffalo Niagara region's Great Lakes cruise ship industry.
Secondly, create a strategy for the region to guide the development of a successful cruise ship industry on the Great Lakes.
Thirdly, identify and detail the needed infrastructure for a homeport in Buffalo, N.Y. and lastly, determine the economical benefits of constructing a permanent terminal either rehabilitating the DL&W terminal or constructing something new entirely on the Michigan Pier.
You can read more on the project here.