Council calls for master plan for Erie Basin Marina parcels as leases near expiry

Councilmembers on July 8 urged the Common Council to pursue a comprehensive master plan for the Erie Basin waterfront, saying separate, piecemeal transactions for contiguous parcels could undermine a cohesive development strategy.

The discussion—tied to Item 67, long‑term planning for the Erie Basin Marina—was led on the floor by a councilmember with the waterfront committee. That member noted three adjacent parcels of the marina: an expired contract area, a lease for Templeton Landing that matures in September, and a city‑owned William Case restaurant site. “These parcels are adjacent to each other,” the member said. “One person selling a parcel off is going to impact the other person next door.”

Councilmembers said they had spoken with waterfront stakeholders including business owners and called for participation from the city’s economic development arm (OSP) and other departments to present coordinated plans. One member described the waterfront as a shared natural resource that should generate revenue and public benefit for all Buffalo residents.

Members asked staff to invite the Office of Strategic Planning and other departments to present at a future waterfront committee meeting and requested advanced notice to allow departments to prepare detailed responses. The council moved Item 67 to the Waterfront Development Committee for further work.

Speakers emphasized urban‑planning, contract and lease review, and the need to consider recreational, commercial and cultural uses together rather than on a parcel‑by‑parcel basis. No final development decisions were made; committees will schedule follow‑up briefings.