Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million for Coastal Shoreline Project at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park

Strategic Insights -

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $10 million investment to support the Coastal Shoreline Project at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park in Buffalo, New York. The funding is part of a $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, aimed at enhancing the resiliency of the Lake Erie shoreline by replacing a 100-year-old seawall and naturalizing the shoreline along the park property.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $10 million investment is part of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
  • The project aims to enhance the resiliency of the Lake Erie shoreline by replacing a 100-year-old seawall and naturalizing the shoreline along the park property.
  • The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation has committed $50 million to support the City of Buffalo and surrounding community to transform the former LaSalle Park into a world-class destination.
  • The project will rehabilitate a segment of the Lake Erie shoreline, replace the deteriorating seawall with a more resilient, graded revetment-based shoreline, and provide waterfront access to car-top watercraft.
  • The new resilient shoreline will include an armored natural slope that will restore habitat while protecting a revamped community gem.
  • The park will feature a new signature pedestrian bridge, active-imaginative play garden, soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, playground areas with custom equipment, picnic shelters and concession stands, and miles of pedestrian and bike paths.
  • The project is a collaboration between the State of New York, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Empire State Development, and other contributing partners.

Statistics:

  • The total investment in the project is $10 million from the State of New York, with more than $50 million in total committed by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
  • The $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is a historic investment in environmental and community projects across the state.
  • The Bond Act has already allocated $60 million for the next round of Green Resiliency Grants to support vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in flood-prone communities across New York State.
  • Applications for the Green Resiliency Grants are due by August 15, 2025.

Sources:

  • Governor Kathy Hochul's news release (no date)
  • Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation (no date)
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (no date)
  • Empire State Development (no date)
  • Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (no date)
  • State Senator Ryan's statement (no date)
  • Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes' statement (no date)
  • Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera's statement (no date)
  • City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon's statement (no date)
  • Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation President & CEO David Egner's statement (no date)
  • Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy Executive Director Katie Campos' statement (no date)
  • Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka's statement (no date)
  • New York State Environmental Bond Act (proposition approved on Nov. 8, 2022)