MAYOR UNVEILS NEW DESIGN FOR CANAL PLAZA VITAL COMPONENT OF WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
September 1999
Contact: Peter K. Cutler (716) 851-5841

BUFFALO (9/99) -Mayor Anthony M. Masiello joined the waterfront design team of Jambhekar Strauss Architects, Matthews-Neilsen Landscape Architects and Flynn Battaglia Architects in unveiling the newly created design for the canal plaza area of the waterfront redevelopment project. The design prominently features the recently uncovered historical portions of this area, which were discovered this Spring in archeological excavations. Lloyd Street and building foundations and walls-recently uncovered-will play a key role in the overall design of the entire waterfront redevelopment project currently underway.

"Breaking ground on the waterfront redevelopment project last month was a landmark moment for the City of Buffalo," said Mayor Masiello. "Today's design unveiling continues our waterfront redevelopment process. Our commitment to preserving the historical features builds on our overall commitment to creating a world class waterfront which incorporates the rich history of Buffalo into its design."

Included in the design is the incorporation of a limestone facing stone-once part of the construction of the original canal wall-into an interpretive element. The 19th Century building foundation walls located in the Canal Plaza will additionally be preserved, stabilized and incorporated in the plaza design.

In September 1999, Mayor Masiello joined New York State Governor George Pataki and Congressmember Jack Quinn in breaking ground for the waterfront redevelopment project. Hundreds of community leaders and local residents showed up to witness the much heralded beginning of this project which represented a symbolic movement toward Buffalo's renaissance. Also currently in the works is the private development portion of the waterfront redevelopment project which seeks to create an urban entertainment mecca as well as a new headquarters for Adelphia.

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