New York State government recently announced the selection of urban planning and design firm MKSK to lead the development of “Canalside: The Next Wave,” a strategic vision for the future of Buffalo’s waterfront district. MKSK will conduct comprehensive market and urban design analyses, lead public engagement, and establish an overarching development strategy. The firm will evaluate new development sites to expand Canalside and leverage the three-quarters of a billion dollars in previous state investments to unlock opportunities for mixed-use growth, commerce, and housing over the coming years.
“Canalside: The Next Wave” will shape the next decade of growth, investment, and transformation at Canalside, KeyBank Center, the Cobblestone District, and along the Buffalo River waterfront. Led by Empire State Development (ESD), the strategy will deliver specific development recommendations for a targeted zone spanning from the Erie Basin Marina to Michigan Avenue, bounded by the Buffalo River and the I-190, and including Sahlen Field.
MKSK will provide ESD, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), Erie County, the City of Buffalo, and other public and private stakeholders with data-driven insights to prioritize financial feasibility, market demand, and seamless integration with ongoing local developments…