MKSK to lead Canalside: The Next Wave in Buffalo

New York State government recently announced the selection of urban planning and design firm MKSK to lead the development of “Canalside: The Next Wave,” a strategic vision for the future of Buffalo’s waterfront district. MKSK will conduct comprehensive market and urban design analyses, lead public engagement, and establish an overarching development strategy. The firm will evaluate new development sites to expand Canalside and leverage the three-quarters of a billion dollars in previous state investments to unlock opportunities for mixed-use growth, commerce, and housing over the coming years.

“Canalside: The Next Wave” will shape the next decade of growth, investment, and transformation at Canalside, KeyBank Center, the Cobblestone District, and along the Buffalo River waterfront. Led by Empire State Development (ESD), the strategy will deliver specific development recommendations for a targeted zone spanning from the Erie Basin Marina to Michigan Avenue, bounded by the Buffalo River and the I-190, and including Sahlen Field.

MKSK will provide ESD, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), Erie County, the City of Buffalo, and other public and private stakeholders with data-driven insights to prioritize financial feasibility, market demand, and seamless integration with ongoing local developments.

“MKSK is honored to partner with Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and local stakeholders to shape the next generation of investment at Canalside. We are fortunate to build upon an extraordinary foundation created through nearly three decades of investment that has transformed Buffalo’s waterfront into a dynamic destination. Waterfront and entertainment districts like Canalside offer a unique opportunity to become both a vibrant neighborhood for local residents and a destination that welcomes visitors from across the region and beyond. We look forward to helping create a district that is uniquely Buffalo, better connected, rich with memorable experiences and filled with reasons for people to return again and again.”

MKSK Principal Jeffrey Pongonis

This strategy arrives at a critical juncture as several major neighborhood investments take shape, including:

• The start of construction of Pennrose’s mixed-use North Aud development;
• The resumption of construction at Heritage Point on the South Aud Block by Sinatra Development Company;
• The completion of The Chandlery on the North Aud Block by ECHDC;
• The evolution of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship;
• The grand opening of the NFTA’s DL&W Terminal facility; and
• The redevelopment of affordable housing at the Perry Homes and Marine Drive Apartments by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

To capitalize on this momentum, the study will evaluate potential development sites, integrating residential units, hotels, dining, retail, and experiential public spaces to promote year-round vibrancy. The new developments will be selected to unlock long-term economic opportunities that align with existing stakeholder investments and public needs.

Gathering public input will be a cornerstone of the planning process. Residents, local businesses, and visitors are encouraged to share their feedback and participate in upcoming public pop-up events:

• Erie Basin Marina at The Hatch: Sept. 20, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Canalside Fall Fest: Sept. 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Seneca One: Oct. 1, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The online community survey is available now at buffalowaterfront.com and will remain open through early November.