BUFFALO, N.Y. — As part of his 2020 State of the State agenda, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state's plan for the North Aud Block.
The proposed plans would incorporate the area's history, add 200 residential units, restaurants and retail shops, as well as adding 300 parking spots.
The area, which is bordered by Lower Terrace to the north, Main Street to the east, the canals to the south and Commercial and Pearl streets to the west, will include pedestrian paths and an open piazza.
More than a year ago, Governor Cuomo announced $10 million in funding to transform the North Aud Block.
"With the State's investment and community support, Canalside has quickly become a top destination, with demand for private investment on the rise and young people coming back," Governor Cuomo said. "The Buffalo success story enters the next chapter with the transformation of the North Aud Block, and this design concept fuses the site's historic past with a design for the 21st century. Combined with our other strategic investments in the region, this project will help ensure all the arrows continue pointing in the right direction in Buffalo and beyond."
A meeting to hear comment on the proposed plan will be held on January 22 at Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation offices from 5:30-7:00 pm.
The North Aud Block is the last portion of the site to be developed. In 2014, the ECHDC completed construction of 'canals' on the South Aud Block for ice skating in the winter and paddle and pedal boats in the summer.
This past spring, the Explore & More Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum opened to the public and ground was broken for the Buffalo Heritage Carousel project and the Longshed building project.
Two more projects are expected to break ground in 2020. Sinatra and Company will invest $21 million to build Heritage Point, that will provide space for retail, restaurants and office space. Sinatra will also develop The Prime Slip and sections of the historic Canal Street and Lloyd Street.
