New construction and an increasing number of visitors to Canalside has prompted the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. to work out a long-term deal with a sister state agency to gain control of two parking lots.
Combined the two Perry Boulevard lots will give the ECHDC control of at least 100 more surface parking spots for the next five years. The ECHDC will pay the state Department of Transportation $410,707 for the a five-year permit to use the lots.
Years ago, the lots — not far from Sharkgirl — were used for those bound for Memorial Auditorium.
The deal comes as construction of two residential-based projects — Sinatra & Co. Real Estate’s Heritage Point apartments and a five-story, mixed-use building by Benderson Development Co. Both will start construction this spring.
“It is critical to the success of their projects,” said Steve Ranalli, ECHDC president.
Sinatra & Co., Benderson and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Explore & More Children’s Museum will use the lot as will the public headed to Canalside.
“We expect an increase in visitors and residents to the area,” said Robert Gioia, ECHDC chairman.
Sinatra & Co. will operate and manage the lots for the harbor development corporation.
To prep the lots, LiRo Engineers Inc. has been retained for needed redesign work.
“The lots are in really bad shape,” Ranalli said. “The constantly full of potholes.”