Ball rolls on outer harbor development

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Waterfront development may be headed in the right direction, as the NFTA is looking to get the ball rolling. The NFTA Board of Commissioners discussed who could develop the outer harbor during a closed executive session Friday morning.

For decades, the NFTA has owned 384 acres of waterfront property. Chairman Howard Zemsky says it's time that they focus solely on transportation. He says on Monday they'll send out a formal request for a proposal to the interested bidders, the City of Buffalo and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. They have 60 days to return it.

“We're interested in seeing public access maintained and describe some of the process they would go through to make sure some public input and things of that nature as they think about developing their plans going forward,” said Chairman Howard Zemsky.

Afterwards Zemsky says the Board of Commissioners will decide who can buy the land and begin negotiations. Once the proposals come in, board members will analyze a number of things like who has the best development plans and how much they're willing to pay for it.

The chair of the NFTA's property committee Peter Demakos says it's time for a change, time to get out of the waterfront business and focus on transportation.