Press Releases

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) welcomed action by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Board advancing projects on Canalside’s North Aud Block. At their meeting on April 17, 2023, ECHDC approved construction on the $14 million Gateway building as well as a preferred developer for a $140 million project featuring mixed-use buildings on the waterfront site.  

Higgins said, “Over the years we’ve seen the growth of Canalside as a destination. With the increased public traffic comes a demand for more amenities. The build-out of the North Aud Block is welcome action that provides more reason for people to stay at Canalside - to shop, work, live or grab a bite to eat. Continued momentum on the waterfront improves the quality of life for residents and creates new economic opportunities for the Buffalo-Niagara region.”  

The 4-story Canalside Gateway building will include public restrooms, commercial space and ECHDC offices. Work will begin this summer and is expected to be finished by early 2025.  

The nearly 2-acre North Aud Block site will also feature additional buildings including a mix of commercial, retail and residential space as well as a parking ramp. Pennrose NY Developer, MSquared, and the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI - Buffalo) were selected as the joint preferred developer. 

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium was demolished in 2009. In 2018, after Higgins’ urging, New York State pledge $10 million to infrastructure investments on the long-vacant North Aud Block site.  

Much of the North Aud block project is supported by funding secured by Congressman Higgins through the New York Power Authority federal relicensing settlement.  For more on Congressman Higgins’ waterfront work visit: https://higgins.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=14961