The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority are requesting proposals from qualified consultants to assist in the preparation of an Urban Renewal Plan (URP) for the neighborhood surrounding the Peace Bridge.

Since the summer of 2003, efforts were made by both the United States and Canadian federal governments to develop a concept referred to as Shared Border Management (SBM) or border pre-clearance, to manage border protection operations at the U.S.-Canadian border. Early conversations between the two federal governments resulted in an announcement for a pilot project at the Peace Bridge. This pilot project would have allowed for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to relocate the plaza from the more urbanized, densely populated West Side neighborhood on the U.S. side of the border, to a more spacious plaza on the Canadian side. In April 2007, however, efforts to implement this concept were abandoned by the Department of Homeland Security, requiring the Customs Plaza in Buffalo to be modernized and expanded.

Both the City of Buffalo and the Public Bridge Authority recognize the importance of ensuring the successful redevelopment of the neighborhood adjacent to the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge Neighborhood Redevelopment Urban Renewal Plan will provide a multifaceted set of redevelopment strategies that will ensure a thriving community well into the future. In addition, the project will include a well-developed community participation program.

Hardcopies of proposals must be received by 3:00 PM August 17, 2007. Proposals should be sent to the attention of:

Mr. Timothy E. Wanamaker
Executive Director
Office of Strategic Planning
920 City Hall, 65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202.

Documents:

Click here for Request for Proposals

Appendix A: Planning Area - Census Tract 70

Appendix B: Consultant Team Rating Sheet

Appendix C: Sample Agreement

Reference Information:

A. Peace Bridge Expansion Project Studies and Reports: http://www.peacebridgex.com/studies_reports.asp

B. Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan:
http://www.city-buffalo.com/files/1_2_1/Mayor/COB_Comprehensive_Plan/index.html