BUFFALO — A $1.2 million state challenge grant will be used to construct a building to house the nearly century-old DeAngelis Carousel at Canalside in Buffalo. The new building will enclose the historic, custom-designed wooden carousel to allow for year-round access, provide space for events and activities, and showcase Buffalo’s rich history in carousel making and its vibrant waterfront.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “Once it returns home to Buffalo, the historic Carousel will bring a unique entertainment opportunity to city residents and visitors. This funding guarantees that we will have the Buffalo Heritage Carousel up and running on our waterfront. This attraction will bring thousands of new visitors to downtown Buffalo and Canalside.”
Buffalo sold a parcel of Canalside land to Empire State Development earlier this year to allow for the waterfront attraction.
“Buffalo’s thriving waterfront is a driving force behind Western New York’s resurgence, and the addition of this historic carousel will attract even more visitors and revenue to the region,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “This new attraction showcases Western New York’s rich history of carousel making as well as the region’s growing leadership in sustainability. With over 1.5 million visitors at Canalside this year alone, the revitalized Buffalo waterfront is bolstering economic growth and helping us build a better, stronger Buffalo for generations to come.”
The vintage menagerie, park-style carousel was manufactured in 1924 by Spillman Engineering in North Tonawanda. Buffalo Heritage Carousel acquired the DeAngelis Carousel to provide family oriented recreation on Buffalo’s waterfront and to celebrate Western New York’s industrial heritage and legacy of leadership in renewable energy. Buffalo Heritage Carousel will continue to raise up to $2.8 million in funds to both power and preserve the carousel year-round at Canalside. The carousel is predicted to begin operations in the next two years and the price of admission will be set at a maximum of $1.
The carousel complements the success of Buffalo’s waterfront and recent developments, including the City of Buffalo’s first state park, Buffalo Harbor State Park. The $3.76 million project to improve the breakwall and southern revetment is part of the $15 million in improvements provided through the Governor‘s NY Parks 2020 initiative that is completely reinvigorating the Buffalo Harbor waterfront. The rehabilitated breakwall is stabilized and provides new recreational access with paved walking and bike paths, shaded seating areas, the introduction of a fishing platform and enhanced lighting for nighttime safety and enjoyment. The next phase of improvements at Buffalo Harbor State Park is underway, which includes a public boat launch, expansion of utilities, a redesigned vehicular roadway and parking to improve traffic flow for park users and boaters.
Laurie Hauer-LaDuca, President of Buffalo Heritage Carousel, Inc., said, “It is so exciting that the carousel will be ready for riding within two years and Governor Cuomo has today taken our project a major step forward with his outstanding support of our carousel project. It is the BHC mission to make history come to life now as well for future generations. Grandparents, parents and children can make new memories together while riding the Carousel.”
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