Wilkeson Pointe closed for 2024 season as $11 million project commences

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Over the last few years, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) has worked to make overall improvements across the 200 acres of land along the Buffalo Outer Harbor.

The latest area of the Outer Harbor to commence construction as part of the general project plan announced back in 2020 is Wilkeson Pointe, which will be closed through the 2024 season and into 2025. Mark Wendel, President of the ECHDC says the $11 million project will improve the site and bring more amenities to the public.

"Over the last, say, 2-3 years, we had a shipping container that was providing limited food and beverage towards the middle part of Wilkeson Pointe. This project is bringing forth a permanent building that's going to have food and beverage, it's also going to have public restrooms, an improved seating area for people that are looking to purchase some food and beverages at that site," said Wendel in an interview with WBEN.

Wilkeson Pointe will still be a spot for recreation with a large lawn space for kickball, beach volleyball and other activities following construction, but it's still intended to provide a separate location for people along the Outer Harbor.

Another improvement coming for Wilkeson Pointe with this project will be the improvement of trail connections involving pedestrian and bicycle paths from vehicular paths.

"For those that have been at Wilkeson Pointe, the pedestrian bike trail path went right through the parking lots. We're going to move the bike and pedestrian paths closer to the water's edge along the slip, and move the parking more a little bit inboard so it can support both those that are there for recreation or just for getting a bite to eat. That way, we have a nice, clean, safe path for people that are enjoying the Outer Harbor," Wendel explained.

Another goal of this project, according to Wendel, is to spread out the access points and visitation locations for the public at the Outer Harbor.

Although Wilkeson Pointe will be closed until next spring, Wendel says there are other parts of that area of the Outer Harbor that will be accessible.

"We will still have the kayak launch going into the slip, that'll be there. We'll still have bike rentals there, we'll have the recreational space. But it will take us through this summer, into the fall to get the land and the building constructed, the landscaping to get settled, and we'll be looking to have this open to the public in the spring of 2025," he said.

What about the other projects the ECHDC has been working to address along the Outer Harbor, such as Terminal B and Bell Slip?

"Terminal B is now open. We had our eclipse event there, and we'll be having our first concert, I believe, is May 24, and a series of other events that will follow through the summer," Wendel detailed. "Bell Slip has been open to the public, as far as the trails are and our overlook deck. We're currently wrapping up some interior finishes, the bathrooms building, but that should be open for Memorial Day for everybody to enjoy."

And while work with the ECHDC's general project plan set to be mostly completed come 2025, Wendel says there will continue to be some smaller things they will continue to look at, especially with there soon to be more access to the water for the public.

"The Outer Harbor, with the water right there on the edge, is great to look at. The winter brings some storms through our way, so we're gonna be constantly monitoring the perimeter, and looking to make some small improvements. So we will always be looking to make the visitors' experience at the Outer Harbor [better] and improve that through various projects in the future," Wendel said.

Even though work along the Outer Harbor will keep people from accessing Wilkeson Pointe this season, Wendel still encourages visitors and residents alike to enjoy the city's diverse locations of the water.

"We have the openness and natural setting of the Outer Harbor to give people a long track of walking and biking trails. At Canalside it's a little bit more dense," Wendel noted. "We have the great experience of being there on the boardwalk, a lot of food amenities, whether it's through our new partnership with Resurgence or Liberty Hound or Pizza Plant, and the carousel and Explore & More. It brings a great variety of public interaction along the water at both these sites."