Governor Hochul Names Mark Wendel New Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation President

Governor Kathy Hochul today congratulated Mark Wendel on being named the new president of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Wendel will lead the state entity that supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside and the Outer Harbor in Buffalo and work to attract critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. The ECHDC Board of Directors met today and appointed Wendel as president of the corporation. Today’s appointment is the latest milestone in a series of announcements by Governor Hochul to improve access to Buffalo's waterfront through the acceleration of significant projects and supporting the transformational redevelopment of Canalside's North Aud Block.

“Mark Wendel is a dedicated public servant and Western New Yorker with the talent, experience, and commitment to bring our vision for the region to life,” Governor Hochul said. “With Mark on board at ECHDC, we’re ready to take Buffalo’s waterfront to the next level as a destination for residents and visitors and a catalyst for economic development. I look forward working with him and ECHDC as we continue to break ground, transform the waterfront, and boost the local economy as part of our mission to drive the region forward.”

A Western New York native, Wendel, pictured here, is a registered architect with experience in urban planning, design, and economic development. He has been an employee of the corporation since 2019 and succeeds Steve Ranalli, who earlier this year was named President of the Erie County Stadium Corporation.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation President Mark Wendel said, “I am excited to continue the development projects and improve waterfront access for the public at both Canalside and the Outer Harbor. Steve did a wonderful job continuing to create both locations as a family destination and I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to build on that success.”

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairman Robert Gioia said, “The ECHDC Board is excited to welcome Mark Wendel into the role as ECHDC President. Mark is an accomplished professional with a true capacity to effectively advance the mission of ECHDC. That being said, I also want to thank Steve Ranalli for his decade-plus commitment to ECHDC and acknowledge the remarkable progress we’ve seen under his leadership. When he began his role at ECHDC, the Aud was being demolished and the Outer Harbor was a blank slate that few even knew existed, much less visited. Today the North Aud Block is being fully built out and transformed into a mixed-use, urban space. The Outer Harbor now has new amenities, interconnected trails, and we are in the process of redeveloping the terminals – all which bring recreation and tourism to the water’s edge.”

Prior to taking on his new role with ECHDC, Wendel served for four years as the corporation’s Senior Director of Design. Since March, he has assisted with overall day-to-day oversight and management of all projects and initiatives within ECHDC’s 450 acres of waterfront property. Wendel also regularly coordinates on broader efforts across Western New York, contributing and assisting on concurrent initiatives of Empire State Development’s Western New York Regional Office and ESD’s USA Niagara Development Corporation subsidiary.

During his ECHDC tenure, Wendel’s key accomplishments have included construction of the Longshed Building, completion of the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, oversight of the design and construction of the Gateway Building at Canalside, and procurement and selection of a preferred developer for the North Aud Block. He has also managed several components in the continued redevelopment of the Outer Harbor, including the adaptive reuse of Terminal B, Bell Slip Improvements, and Wilkeson Point upgrades. He is currently managing the potential development of the Terminal A building, the redevelopment of the North Aud Block, and planning for a subsequent phase of Outer Harbor redevelopment.

Before joining ECHDC, Wendel worked as an associate principal at Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has earned U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification.

In other meeting business today, the ECHDC Board also authorized several contracts that will incorporate select interior modifications in the Longshed Building at Canalside in Buffalo. Working within the existing Longshed Building, in an area beneath the mezzanine, the project will construct two transient boater shower rooms, two public bathrooms, and a harbor office. Building materials used for this additional construction will be selected to match and complement the existing Longshed finishes and their durability. These modifications are expected to be complete in spring 2024. The contracts authorized today include:

• John W. Danforth Company in an amount not to exceed $272,600 including contingency for mechanical construction. The scope of services will include new plumbing fixtures, bathroom ventilation, modifications to the existing mechanical system, extending the existing water to the new restrooms, and extending the sanitary connection.
• Draghi Burgos Construction LLC in an amount not to exceed $279,000 including contingency for general construction. The scope of services will include select interior demolition, new wall and ceiling construction, interior wall and floor finishes, new millwork and new doors.
• Frey Electric Construction Co., Inc. in an amount not to exceed $92,850 including contingency for electrical construction. The scope of services will include new light fixtures and switches, electric connections for mechanical equipment, and running electric services from the existing panels.

Funding for all these contracts is from the New York Power Authority, through relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project. NYPA transferred the land for the park to ECHDC in May 2012 as part of the Buffalo and Erie County relicensing settlement agreement for the Niagara Power Project.

New York Power Authority Chairman John R. Koelmel said, “I congratulate Mark Wendel in his new role as president of ECHDC, which shares the Power Authority’s vision to further revitalize Buffalo’s Canalside and the Outer Harbor. The New York Power Authority is driven by its commitment to be a good neighbor in the communities located near its statewide assets and is proud to support the redevelopment of Buffalo’s historic waterfront through our relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project.”

Representative Brian Higgins said, “Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation was created to put Buffalo’s waterfront decisions back in the hands of Western New Yorkers. Mark is not only talented in his field, but he lives here, understands this community, and is driven by work that makes this region flourish. We are grateful to Steve Ranalli for his years of service and to Mark for taking on this leadership role. We are also happy to see further waterfront momentum with the approval of contracts that support accommodations for the increasingly active boating community.”

State Senator Tim Kennedy said, "Buffalo's waterfront has grown exponentially within the last decade due to repeated state and federal investment, and with Mark Wendel now at the helm of ECHDC, I'm confident that thoughtful, strategic expansion will continue.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “I congratulate Mark Wendel and wish him the best of luck in his new position as president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul on waterfront development, development citywide, and with Mr. Wendel in this new capacity."