Waterfront
Brian has long believed in a simple formula for waterfront development: remove the barriers to public access and provide high-quality public space along the water’s edge, and economic growth and development will follow. In 2005 he led the charge to secure a $279 million hydropower relicensing settlement from the New York Power Authority, which is funding much of the work at the Inner Harbor, and fought for the creation of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, which is directing the improvements. The past several years have seen an unprecedented transformation at Canalside and the next several years promise equally stunning changes at the Outer Harbor, along Niagara Falls’ waterfront with the partial removal of the Robert Moses Parkway, and in the Tonawandas.
More on Waterfront
Citizens Campaign for the Environment led a “Save the EPA” rally with Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and several Western New York environmental organizations emphasizing the importance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) role in protecting the health and safety of communities.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko and Brian Higgins today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations package, which is set to pass Congress, raises the lifetime funding cap for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to $12 million. Designated as a National Heritage Area in 2000 (NHA), the federal investment is $2 million more than the previously authorized level.
BUFFALO, NY – April 22, 2016, Spring cleaning was in full-effect. Over 2,000 Western New Yorkers participated in tidying up the shorelines across Erie and Niagara County for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s annual Spring Shoreline Sweep.
The event targeted 40 shoreline sites in need of stewardship and litter removal throughout Erie and
Niagara counties.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of the Water Resources Development Act (S. 612) delivering support for projects enhancing local waterways, improving water infrastructure and rebuilding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District headquarters.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an estimated 1.5 million visitors spent time at Canalside this summer, up from approximately 1 million in 2015. In addition, the Outer Harbor saw nearly 250,000 visitors this summer. New and expanded food, music, games, exercise, history, relaxation, art and other activities were offered to attract more visitors to Buffalo’s waterfront.