Canalside, Public Canal Space Consultation

Under the auspices of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), Watts was part of a team that worked to define a vision and activation plan for additional amenities, programs, and events for the spaces within and adjacent to the Buffalo Waterfront.  Project goals included creating a compelling destination, attracting a diverse audience and supporting the public amenities currently under construction.  Projects include: 

Beer Garden – Watts provided civil, architectural and electrical services for the addition of an open air beer garden and seating area to serve the adjacent restaurant located along the waterfront boardwalk.  The design used a combination of steel gabion baskets and decorative plantings to define the boundaries of the beer garden, anchored on each corner by an oversized gabion planter and lit with crisscrossing festoon lights overhead. 

Aud Block Public Space Consultation – Watts provided architectural and electrical services for the fabrication and installation of temporary ice skate rental and point of sale kiosks.  Each kiosk incorporated the use of shipping containers that would allow for easy seasonal relocation.  The ice skate rental kiosk is 8’ wide x 30’ long and provides space for 400 pairs of ice skates, a skate sharpener and a service counter.  The point-of-sale kiosk is 8’ wide x 10’ long and provides a transaction window and counter for 2 employees.  Each kiosk was connected to an electrical service to provide site lighting and power to additional adjacent kiosks. 

Aud Block Vendor Kiosks – Watts provided architectural and civil services in the design, fabrication and installation of three vendor kiosks placed along the canal’s sidewalks.  Each of the three kiosks incorporates an 8’ wide x 20’ long shipping container to match those Watts previously designed for the ice skate rental and sale kiosks.  Each kiosk is divided into two halves, with large out-swinging wood doors that open onto the canals, providing vendors with a storefront to sell their products.  The design features an overhead awning with integrated site lighting and a removable interior partition to accommodate larger vendor operations. 

Ice at Canalside – Watts worked with Canalside in the design and construction of the Winter Warming Pavilion that will provide skaters a place to warm up, grab a drink and some food before heading back out on the ice.  The design incorporates two of the shipping container kiosks Watts previously designed in Spring of 2015.  These containers open directly into the pavilion providing patrons access to food, drink and merchandise all while in the heated space.  The pavilion also features heated restrooms, which are a big upgrade from last years’ amenities.  Watts provided the design services for those water and sanitary connections.