Revitalizing the Buffalo River Waterfront: BSRA s Buffalo River Rowing Center

Transcription

1 Revitalizing the Buffalo River Waterfront: BSRA s Buffalo River Rowing Center A Proposal to the Buffalo Erie Olmsted Greenway Standing Committee Submitted by Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association January 27,

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 3 Introduction... 4 Organizational Background... 5 Association Philosophy... 5 Innovative Fee Structure... 5 Governance... 5 Consistency with the Niagara River Greenway Plan and other local planning efforts and initiatives... 6 Operations and Business Plan... 8 Budget Narrative... 8 Matching Funds and Other Funding Sources... 9 Statement on Use of Greenway Funds... 9 Attachments... 9 Organizational Information & Project Point of Contact

3 Executive Summary In 2009, a group of life long rowers established the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association with the intent of expanding the footprint of the sport of rowing in Western New York. With three boats and 30 athletes, the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association was born. Today, BSRA serves over 200 athletes from 5 diverse high schools, youth learn to row, and adult competitive and learn to row programs. Through countless hours of volunteer time and significant in kind donations, the BSRA Board of Directors, Coaches, Friends, Volunteers, and Community Partners in the Old First Ward have together built the Buffalo River Rowing Center. The capstone to this significant effort is the realization of our permanent facility, the Patrick Paladino Memorial Boathouse. The new boathouse will expand the current facility from 3,500 square feet to 16,000 square feet, and will increase storage capacity from 33 rowing shells to 75 rowing shells. Combining all the equipment owned by the various programs, and private members, BSRA has in operation 62 rowing shells. The design of the permanent boathouse addresses our scholastic and community members immediate need for training space, programmatic growth and boat storage. The completion of the permanent boathouse will allow BSRA to develop more programs while increasing public access and usage of Buffalo River and Waterfront. The following pages provide an overview of BSRA and our proposal to complete a critical stage of our project with the assistance of Greenway/BEOSC funding. We are asking for funding in the amount of $350,000, which will allow us to complete phase 3 of 4 in this project the purchase, erection, and enclosure of the permanent boathouse structure by late summer/early fall of BSRA has already secured $1.2M in private donations, in-kind donations, grants, and sweat equity. Most recently, BSRA received funding from The Margaret Wendt Foundation in the amount of $75,000 and the John R. Oishei Foundation in the amount of $125,000, bringing us to this important project milestone. 3

4 Introduction Building strong and successful scholastic rowing teams and expanding community access to the sport of rowing are Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association s (BSRA) two primary goals in creating the Buffalo River Rowing Center (BRRC) and realizing the Patrick Paladino Memorial Boathouse. The completed Buffalo River Rowing Center ~ Patrick Paladino Memorial Boathouse will serve over 400 youth and adult athletes from Western New York as well as members of the community seeking to learn or develop rowing skills for competition, recreation, fitness, therapeutic exercise and much more. The objectives of our capital construction campaign are to: Expand the current facility from 3,500 square feet to approximately 16,000 total square feet. The design will address our scholastic and community members immediate needs for boat storage, training space, and programmatic growth. Our current structure houses 33 boats, BSRA and member groups currently own 62 boats. Increase the number of athletes training on the Buffalo River. Increase BSRA s capacity for indoor training. Create meeting rooms and locker room space for scholastic and community teams Enhance existing security, storage, and BSRA programs that serve the community. Expand our summer Learn-to-Row and Competitive programs into state-of-the-art programs and develop adaptive rowing programs for disabled athletes. 4

5 Organizational Background The Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA) is a 501 (c) 3 is an association of high school rowing teams and community based rowing clubs with an expressed purpose to facilitate safe and equitable access to the Buffalo River for new and emerging rowing programs. The Association is a rowing cooperative requiring each member group to assume responsibility for its programs to the extent financially possible. Where there are shortfalls in assets the BSRA is positioned to maintain programs while helping to develop their organizational sustainability. Association Philosophy The BSRA has two primary goals: 1) to build strong and successful scholastic rowing teams; and 2) to expand community access to the sport of rowing. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of BSRA is the commitment to facilitating autonomous programs: each school owns their own equipment and can tailor their practice and race schedule to accommodate their individual schools competitive goals and programmatic needs. Through this policy approach, BSRA has successfully expanded the footprint of rowing in Western New York through revitalizing scholastic programs in the Buffalo Public Schools, supporting the continuing improvement of existing programs. Innovative Fee Structure The primary barrier to more and successful rowing programs is cost and program infrastructure sufficient to support the complexity and expenses related to rowing. BSRA is dedicated to maintaining a fee structure that provides rowing access to school based teams at the lowest market cost. Governance Because Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association acts as a facilitating organization, all member groups have a strong decision making role within BSRA. Each member organization has a seat on the BSRA Board of Directors. This guarantees a direct role in day-to-day rowing operations as well as charting the future of the Association. Currently, there are six member organizations five scholastic programs (Buffalo Maritime Charter, Canisius High School, Buffalo Seminary, Mount Mercy Academy of South Buffalo, Bishop Timon St. Jude High School as well as our adult program, the Buffalo Masters Rowing Club. BSRA also has over 40 individual members some of whom are also represented on the Board of Directors. 5

6 Consistency with the Niagara River Greenway Plan and other local planning efforts and initiatives The boathouse project aligns with Erie Canal Harbor Development s Ohio Street Corridor revitalization and is one of the first hubs of activity in that corridor alongside Riverfest Park and Mutuals Park. BSRA s development also aligns with the sustainability, economic investment and environmental objectives of City of Buffalo new green code land use and zoning policies, which will transform land use in the Old Ward neighborhood and beyond. Finally, BSRA s project aligns with both the Buffalo River Greenway Plan and the Niagara River Greenway Plan in the following ways: Public Access Recognizing the growing public interest in the Buffalo River as a key regional resource, the attendant concerns that this resource be accessible to the public, and, acknowledging the critical role the River plays in the re-establishment of the sport of Rowing, BSRA established the following Public Access Plan: Combine public access to the Buffalo River with the additional opportunity for the public to engage in scheduled, supervised, and safe rowing programs while ensuring all rowing resources are secure. The BSRA, at its Buffalo River Rowing Center at 301 Ohio Street, maintains an extensive inventory of over 11 coaching launches and outboard motors, 60 rowing shells, 273 oars, and numerous on-board computers. The security of the site to safeguard this inventory is a paramount consideration of BSRA. Yet, on first blush, security suggests limiting access. The new Buffalo River Rowing Center Site Design establishes full public access on important segments of the site. The design incorporates a 22 parcel, contiguous with the NYSDEC Canoe Park on the west side of the BSRA site. By erecting a decorative railing along the Ohio Street Inlet s west wall, and returning the inlet to useful water traffic through USCOE dredging later this year, in addition, the public will have increased park-like setting with benches up to the water s edge, fishing and non-motorized boat launching opportunity, and unfettered view of the Inlet and River. In addition, collaborating with BSRA s design, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, will erect an interpretive historic footbridge over the street end of the Inlet. Embracing this public access philosophy the BSRA has returned the width of the Inlet, 64, and the west sub-parcel of 22 in width to full public access. In summary, approximately 72% of the BSRA facility will be open to Public Access with Accountability, as defined above, and 28% of the facility open to Full Public Access. By way of example, the BSRA facility access concept is identical to Marcy Casino at Hoyt Lake which offers structured public use and, to La Salle Park along the Niagara River in Buffalo where the public may view the Niagara River, fish from the railing, use the park space, or during normal operating hours make use of controlled access buildings and resources that are available. 6

7 Recreation Now more than ever, the rebirth of broad recreational use of the River system depends on enhanced programming and more access points within the Greenway plan. BSRA is not only bringing people into the sport of rowing on the Buffalo River, but also collaborating to provide access to other community organizations. In addition to rowing operations, BSRA currently hosts Paths, Peaks, and Paddles a monthly canoe and kayak group that runs cultural and historic tours of the Buffalo River. BSRA often opens its facility as a launching or meeting point for other community-based water programming. Environment The sport of rowing, in essence, connects people to water. Ecological stewardship exists as a central value articulated in BSRA s vision and mission statements. Our ecology-focused, low impact site design and operations planning aim to provide a model for modern rowing operations. Located in and advancing the major thrust of Buffalo River revitalization efforts, the Buffalo River Rowing Center operates as a community based recreation center, and an active River steward. The cleaning of the Ohio Street Inlet (Dead Creek), restoration of habitat and shoreline, and the maintenance of these repairs will be advanced and supported by the realization of a permanent boathouse facility and operation at 301 Ohio Street. By offering access and programs not only for rowing but also for kayaking and environmental education, BSRA s site is an eco-tourism destination. Recently, BSRA received the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper 2012 Buffalo River Steward Award for outstanding contributions to improving community awareness, environmental health, public access and revitalization of the Buffalo River. Waterfront Development BSRA s Buffalo River Rowing Center brings momentum and positive demonstration of low-impact, community based and accessible waterfront development within the Greenway boundary. Where industrial uses once dominated the Ohio street corridor, the next generation of development will bring residents and visitors closer to the water and promote healthy and sustainable mixed and compatible uses to the waterfront district. Celebrating Buffalo s Rowing Heritage At the turn of the 19th century, over a dozen rowing clubs lined the Buffalo River and utilized the River for rowing. From its inception, BSRA has embraced the rich rowing heritage that once made Buffalo one of the four major rowing cities in the early twentieth century. Now, over 100 years later, it is BSRA s mission to expand the footprint of rowing in WNY and re-establish the Buffalo River as a modern day recreational powerhouse, building on Buffalo s rowing legacy. Further more, with a permanent facility, BSRA can continue expanding rowing by hosting and growing our Head of the Buffalo regatta, a premier 5,000 meter race that has the potential to replicate Boston s world famous Head of the Charles Regatta, which attracts over 9,000 athletes and 300,000 spectators annually. No such venue currently exists within the Western or Central/Southern New York region. 7

8 Operations and Business Plan BSRA has operated for four years facilitating five high school rowing programs, an adult rowing program, and summer youth and adult learn-to-row programs. In just 3 years we ve grown to serve approximately 200 youth through scholastic and community based programs and over 100 adults through the BSRA Adult Masters program and learn-to-row. At the end of 5 years we aim to serve over 400 youth and 200 adults with our new boathouse and expanding programs. The Association has acquired its rowing equipment through the generosity of BSRA members, private philanthropy, and from participating programs. The BSRA Buffalo River Rowing Center site has been developed through the generosity of individual donors and the sweat equity provided by athletes and coaches over the last four years. In compliance with the U.S. IRS regulations, BSRA s financial operations are overseen by an in-house CPA and are audited by an outside accounting firm prior to filing its IRS 990 return. Utilizing the expertise of its sixteen community Board of Directors the BSRA has been able to achieve its many successes while operating in the black each year. The financial reports for fiscal years 2011 to 2013 are attached to this funding proposal (Appendix B). Maintenance and operation of the new boathouse will require increased utilities expenses after it is opened later this year; however, the projected revenues from increasing membership enrollment, summer learn-to-row program expansion, summer competitive rowing, and the Head of the Buffalo regatta, will raise the projected budget significantly and support these cost increases. Current Land Ownership A signed contract of sale transferring the land to BSRA from Ellicott Development attached to this submission (Appendix D). Budget Narrative The construction is broken down into four phases, of which the first two are complete which included acquiring stamped construction drawings, permits, site preparation and building foundation work. Appendix A summarizes the construction cost detail, showing the total adjusted construction cost at $1.75M as well as the timeframe and cost detail of site preparation completed in the previous two phases. Our grant request to the Greenway/BEOSC is $350,000 to complete phase three of four the purchase of the metal pre-fabricated structure, erection of the structure, and close-in of the structure. BSRA expects to complete phase 3 of 4 by end of summer 2014, and phase four of four (building finishes and landscaping) by end of

9 Matching Funds and Other Funding Sources BSRA has immense resources invested in site preparation and development as well as the in-kind donations secured for construction. To date, BSRA has raised $1.29M in private and in-kind donations, and grants. In addition, BSRA recently received grant funding from the Buffalo Creek fund $100,000 for shoreline restoration and landscaping to be accomplished in collaboration with the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation s Ohio Street Corridor project, The Margaret Wendt Foundation in the amount of $75,000 and the John R. Oishei Foundation in the amount of $125,000 towards the construction of our permanent boathouse. These secured in-kind sources, and grants are strong testimony to the efforts of BSRA to obtain matching funds and donations to complete construction. The BSRA success story is accentuated by the acquisition of over sixty rowing shells to support the many programs BSRA wants to offer to the public. Tables 1-6 in Appendix A illustrates and summarizes the funds BSRA has secured ($1.29M) comprising 60 percent of the total project cost ($1.75M) Statement on Use of Greenway Funds If this request for funds is granted, BSRA will not use Greenway funds to defray any obligation existing as of August 31, 2007 or operation and maintenance costs associated with any project existing as of August 31, Attachments A Tables: Total project Cost, Sweat Equity Site work, In Kind Construction Cost, B Financials 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014 projection C Letters of Support D Contract for Sale of Land to BSRA E Visuals of Boathouse and Site Design F Greenway Consistency Determination G 501c3 Documentation 9

10 Organizational Information & Project Point of Contact Charities Registration Number (EIN): (Proof of 501(c)3 status attached) Mailing Address: BSRA c/o 120 West Tupper Suite 205 Buffalo, NY Facility Address Buffalo River Rowing Center Site 301 Ohio Street Buffalo, NY Point of Contact for the Project: Mark Kostzewski, President, BSRA Craig Thrasher, VP Buildings & Grounds, BSRA Greenway Grant Coordinator Rachel Heckl

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12 Table 2 Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association Site Development (Sunk) Cost Summary Item BSRA Cash Total Project Cost Expense Project Name Project Description Dollar Value Hr Dollar Value Crane Hr Dollar Value Misc Hr Dollar Value Approx. Date BSRA Donor Dollar Value Materials Quantity Dollar Value Truck Hr Dollar Value Excavator Hr Dollar Value TrackedLo of Completion Mh Mh ader Obtain Dock Permits Obtain NYSDEC permits to install permanent 1 Sept $720 $720 docks for rowing shells Grade for drainage, level Site Prep terrace, and clear 48 yd 2 Feb $3, $600 Stone $9, $ $2,700 $4,500 $21,200 site for permanent Shoreline Prep Remove debris, grade to accept docks, 48 yd 3 Mar stabilize shoreline and high water line with 36 $ $1,000 Stone $9, $ $3,600 $2,000 available limestone Design and construct Construct Docks six permanent floating Wood ankd 4 Mar dock segments, and floating shore-to-dock 230 $4, $1, $2,400 $7,200 $15,280 metal fittings ramps Donated Install Docks transportation of dock segments to 5 Apr $1, $ $600 $2,260 the site and lift them into position Aluminum Boat Racks Manufacture two aluminum rowing shell boat 6 Apr $ $4,700.0 Aluminum $6,100 $11,120 racks, 8' X 8' X 40' Acquire 100' feet of Sectional Docks sectional dock for use as 7 Jun $900 $4,500 $5,400 motorboat mooring Site Debris Removal Conducted 12 debris removal working parties $13,440 $13,440 Jul Aug. Projects with an average of 14 athlete, coach, and 2012 parent volunteers on each project working an average of 4 hours each Install and connect electrical Electrical Service service to the site Electrical 9 Aug $120 8 $160 $2,500 $2,500 $2,780 Equipment Security Site Security Install and connect 24-hour security system 10 Sept $80 6 $120 $600 $600 $800 Equipment 11 Oct Install Containers Donation and delivery of 40' steel containers. 10 $ $400 40' Containers $ $ $1,600 $100 $2,900 Grading Terrace Installation of limestone border boulders and 12 Apr $ $ $1,200 $1,000 $2,920 level the terrace area Remove fencing and Install Two Ramps extensive debris and cut in two ramps (terrace to shoreline) at opposite 48 yd 13 May $2, $1,100 Stone $9, $ $3,120 $3,400 $20,480 ends of the dock area, and add gravel stabilize surfaces Three athletes who Eagle Scout Projects were completing their Eagle Scout qualifications completed projects for BSRA site improvement as their community 14 Jul $1,060 $1,060 service: Coffure Dam construction; Oar Rack construction; and, repairing the Security Fence Stabilize Beach Apply millings to unstable dirt surfaces to 48 yd 15 Aug minimize runoff and provide stable footing for 8 $ $360 Millings $9, $1, $2,340 $5,200 athletes Install two Dock Piers permanent twelve inch caissons to 16 Mar $ $900 Steel Caissons 2 24 $1, $2,400 Gen 16 $1,600 $12,000 $19,420 anchor docking system Conduct site assessment, New Boathouse Plans needs analysis, 17 design workshops, preliminary boathouse designs, City permitting, SEQR, and prepare 450 $9,000 $80,000 $89,000 Apr Mar final engineering drawings necessary for bid process Provide construction management services to Construction Mgmt 18 include preparation of bid documents, value 40 $ $1,500 $2,300 Dec Sept engineering, and contractor selection 19 Jan 2013 Parcel Land acquistion 255 $5,100 $377,500 $382,600 Exterior Boat Rack Design and construct a permanent outside 20 Sept $2,600 Wood Fittings $3,000 $5,600 boat storage rack for excess shells Total Hours $635,660 Total Cash Value $48,000 $12,400 $47,600 $6,300 $7,500 $5,460 $6,400 $379,100 $122,900 $635,660

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14 Table 4 Buffalo Rowing Association Secured Grants for 4 Phases Grant Source Work Description Value Buffalo Creek Fund Phase 4 Site Work, lanscaping and shoreline restoration Wendt Foundation Phase 1,2 Site Excavation 75,000 Oishei Foundation Phase 1,2 Site Excavation and Concrete Slab Total 300K 100, ,000

15 Table 5 Buffalo Rowing Association Summary of Matching Funds and Donations Site Development and Improvement Sunk Cost (Table 2) $480,240 Grants Secured from Seneca, Wendt, Oishei $300,000 Capital Boathouse Construction Inkind donations (Table 1) $547,300 Total Match $1,327,540 Table 6 Buffalo Rowing Association Matching Funds vs. Grant Request Total Matching Funds & donations secured (Table 4) $1,327,540 Total Amount Requested For Phase 3 From Greenway / BEOSC (Table 5) $350,000 Total other donations pending $80,000 Total Project Cost $1,757,540

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20 A Financial Report Income Donations $147 Membership Dues $70,720 Youth Programs $7,775 Fund Raiser $3,595 Regatta Fees $1,800 Total Income $84,047 Expenses Program Building $2,602 Insurance $5,961 Office Expenses $485 Regatta Expenses $12,519 Summer Programs $6,836 Truck and Trailer $7,332 Fuel $8,097 Utilities $2,923 Miscellaneous Fees $1,326 Total Program $48,081 Special Projects City Plan Review $1,000 Promotional $10,850 Trailers $4,119 Docks $13,808 Boat Racks $896 Shell $11,551 Boat Motors $1,600 Safety $2,427 Rowing Equipment $5,050 Total Special $51,302 Total Expenses $99,382 Net Operating Income -$15,345 Capital Fund Donations $26,250 Net Income $10,905

21 Income Projected Budget Membership Dues $83,000 Youth Programs $6,700 Fund Raiser $7,800 Regatta Fees $1,800 Total Income $99,300 Expenses Program Insurance $6,000 Utilities $3,500 Fuel and Motor Repairs $12,000 Building and Docks $3,500 Regatta Travel $1,000 Building and Truck Dep. $8,500 Accounting $2,000 Office Supplies $754 Summer Youth $24,000 Total Program $61,254 Special Projects Credit Card Pay Down $8,500 New Equipment (Ergs) $4,400 Dock Piers $2,500 Outdoor Boat Racks $2,225 Safety Bags $1,350 Fall Coaches Dinner $2,500 Total Special $21,475 Total Expenses $82,729 Net Operating Income $16,571

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23 2012 Board of Directors Greg Stevens, President Megan Toohey, Vice President John Reinhold, Treasurer Chip Grieco, Secretary Anne Wadsworth Gina Fedele Nancy Brock Doug Hopkins Mary Ann Kedron Jock Mitchell Anne Perry Randal Snyder Board Emeritus Barry Boyer Tom DeSantis Lynda Schneekloth Support from RIVERKEEPER Members and Donors U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office National Fish and Wildlife Foundation New York State Council on the Arts NYS Department of Environmental Conservation NYS Department of State Coastal Management Program New York Power Authority Relicensing Fund Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo HSBC Bank, USA, N.A M&T Bank John R. Oishei Foundation Margaret L. Wendt Foundation Rob Belue, Executive Director Niagara River Greenway Commission Beaver Island State Park 2136 West Oakfield Road Grand Island, NY Mr. Belue: September 7, 2012 On behalf of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association s current request for Greenway Funds to help them develop and complete their 301 Ohio Street Boathouse Capital Campaign Project. Since the inception of the Association, Riverkeeper has been proud to partner with this tremendous organization that has opened the door to water-based recreational opportunities on the Buffalo River that has not existed in generations. Riverkeeper is fully committed to assisting the BSRA in a variety of ways, including the planned dredging in 2013 of contaminated sediment from the Ohio Street inlet, and restoring riparian vegetation and shoreline stabilization in and around the proposed boathouse property. Connecting people to water is one of the founding principles of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, and is a shared goal of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, the Buffalo River Brownfield Opportunity Area, the Buffalo River Greenway Plan and the Niagara River Greenway Plan. The BSRA s vision for a community accessible boathouse on the Buffalo River is consistent with all of these plans. By ensuring the ongoing and respectful use of our shared water resources, the BSRA s efforts for a permanent facility at 301 Ohio Street will help contribute to the long term stewardship and protection of this valuable resource. Sincerely, Jill Jedlicka Executive Director Dear Board 1250 Niagara Street Buffalo, NY tel: RIVER fax: info@bnriverkeeper.org

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36 November 18, 2012 Mark Kostrzewzski, President Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association 120 West Tupper Street Suite 200 Buffalo, New York Dear Mr. Kostrzewzski: The Niagara River Greenway Commission is pleased to support the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association s Project Consultation and Review package for the following project: BSRA s Buffalo River Rowing Center This project was deemed consistent to the Niagara River Greenway Plan as determined by the Niagara River Greenway Commission. The subjective evaluations were been based on the principals, goals and criteria that define the Niagara River Greenway Plan. I have attached the Commission s comments and questions as well as public comments received on the projects submitted during the deliberation timeframe for your use. The Commission is pleased to support the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association s project proposal and wish you great success. Respectfully, Rob Belue R.A. Belue Executive Director Cc: Erie, Buffalo and Olmsted Standing Committee Greenway Ecological Standing Committee Rachel Heckl, Grant/Project Coordinator Niagara River Greenway 2136 West Oakfield Grand Island, New York (716) Fax (716)

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38 2010 The Beginning

39 2013 The Future

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