Riverbend Commerce Park Site Development Plan

With ecological restoration fully integrated into development plans for a brownfield site, a healthy, naturally functioning river becomes the backbone for a thriving riverfront community.

As a key member of a planning/design team led by Sasaki Associates, Biohabitats oversaw the ecological restoration and green infrastructure components of the site development plan for this 260-acre vacant brownfield site on the banks of the Buffalo River. Though the Buffalo River suffered neglect and abandonment throughout Buffalo’s industrial growth, it is now poised for a dramatic comeback. The RiverBend development played a critical role in this revitalization process.

Regeneration of the site and river’s ecological health not only brought environmental benefits, it also provided RiverBend with an array of recreation, cultural heritage and economic opportunities. RiverBend is a model for sustainable development that fosters long-term economic growth by leveraging the assets of the site and region. Place-making principles were applied to create special public spaces and a new community on the banks of the Buffalo River. The project aimed to achieve the vision of the South Buffalo Brownfield Opportunity Area Master Plan in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts while fostering on-going remediation and environmental restoration of the Buffalo River. Biohabitats worked closely with Sasaki and other team members to ensure integration of ecological restoration and green infrastructure into the overall plan for the site. Biohabitats also worked with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper as they pursued the restoration of 2,800 linear feet of the Buffalo River riparian zone at the RiverBend site.