Brownfield Opportunity Area Study & Master Plans

Urban Strategies recognizes the tremendous possibilities for the redevelopment of former industrial sites that are underutilized due to real or perceived contamination. Brownfields are often key to the revitalization of waterfront areas. We develop different strategies and solutions for different locations, balancing site characteristics, environmental conditions, and heritage.

Urban Strategies has led several BOA studies for NYS and municipal clients, including the Highland Community BOA (Niagara Falls), the Lackawanna BOA, and several BOAs in Buffalo: Buffalo River Corridor; Tonawanda Street Corridor, Buffalo Harbor, and South Buffalo.

Urban Strategies led a brownfield study for the Highland Community in Niagara Falls, resulting in a BOA Nomination Document and Master Plan Vision to guide the transformation of approximately 560 acres of brownfields. Most of the brownfield sites are situated within the established neighborhood of Highland, located in the city’s inner suburban ring. The core objective of the BOA study was to reposition large tracts of underutilized brownfields and redefine the area as a regional economic driver. Coupled with this, the Master Plan Vision defined opportunities to strengthen and improve a low-income residential neighborhood within the heart of the city and bring renewed vitality in the form of employment opportunities, improved housing, a more contemporary land use pattern, an enhanced public realm and open space system, and an integrated movement system.

A strong relationship was formed with the local community through regular meetings and targeted relationship-building exercises, including developing a project steering committee, establishing a certified training course for residents on brownfield redevelopment, completing a series of community visioning workshops and undertaking targeted focus groups and workshop sessions to engage a broad range of stakeholders, residents, businesses, environmental advocates, politicians and City & State government staff and agencies. Key to our success was working with residents to build trust and gain

access to important local decision makers. This was achieved through a ‘Community Participation Sub-Community’ and augmented by a series of Community Leaders Meetings as well as by recruiting residents to promote the project within the community. Implementing the BOA Nomination Document and Highland Community Masterplan Vision will result in an improved quality of life for residents and a stronger, more sustainable local and regional economy.

Urban Strategies led a Step 2 Nomination Document for the Lackawanna Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA), located in the western half of the city, adjacent to Lake Erie. The BOA is the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation, whose closure devastated the city economically. Much of the land and surrounding area is heavily contaminated with little economic activity. The goal of the BOA study was to identify redevelopment opportunities on strategic sites to capitalize on the city’s strengths, including for industrial and commercial uses. Community participation was a key aspect of the project, as there was a desire for the project to help revitalize adjacent neighborhoods.

Urban Strategies conducted four separate BOA studies for the City of Buffalo: the Buffalo River Corridor, Tonawanda Street Corridor, Buffalo Harbor, and South Buffalo. As Nomination Director, Urban Strategies managed a team of technical consultants and developed the master plan for each area. Comprising a significant land area (>7,000 acres), the team was tasked with developing innovative and distinct visions for each BOA while ensuring they do not compete with one another nor the City’s downtown revitalization efforts. While all BOAs have the potential to improve surrounding neighborhoods and the City as a whole, the Buffalo Harbor BOA nomination document is a particularly significant initiative, providing a coordinated and innovative vision for the City’s waterfront, positioning 1,000 acres of untapped potential as a major city-building opportunity.

The South Buffalo BOA study involved the preparation of a master plan and Nomination Document for the State’s largest BOA: 2,000+ acres adjacent to Buffalo’s downtown and waterfront. In contrast to the existing “shovel-ready” initiatives espoused for the site, Urban Strategies’ plan south to leverage the site’s existing assets, including its scale, natural amenities and infrastructure, to position the BOA to cultivate a range of use clusters that can capture and build upon emerging regional growth sectors. Potential land uses focus on achieving greater long-term employment diversification and sustainability, with emphasis on green industry, business parks and R&D, sectors which have significant growth potential and offer higher value employment opportunities.

By prioritizing investments in public realm, placemaking, and neighborhood assets, the plan raises expectations and creates a setting for community and economic development. Hundreds of acres of connected open spaces, both enhanced and new, will establish an identity for the BOA as a place for nature and recreation. As a testament to the process and forward-looking ambitions of the plan, the South Buffalo BOA recently designated one of NYS’ Smart Growth Spotlight Communities. Part of these lands were developed as the Tesla Gigafactory through Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion initiative aimed at strengthening the regional economy.