The Erie Canal Development Corporation has confirmed that Phase 1 of the Buffalo Cruise Terminal project will begin next month, marking the start of a long-term development that will establish a permanent cruise facility on the city's Outer Harbor. The terminal, scheduled to open in 2028, is intended to position Buffalo as a turnaround and port-of-call destination for Great Lakes cruise operations.
The initial construction phase will focus on repairs to the seawall and guardrails at the Slip 2 site on Fuhrmann Boulevard. The location will eventually accommodate customs and border processing facilities, public restrooms and supporting passenger services. Preparatory work has already included seawall reinforcement, together with the creation of a multi-use pathway, waterfront promenade, landscaped public spaces, improved drainage, lighting, seating areas and a small parking facility to support future cruise operations.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the redevelopment represents a significant step in transforming Buffalo's waterfront into a gateway for Great Lakes tourism. She noted that the project would allow the city to become both an embarkation and disembarkation port rather than simply a destination bypassed by cruise vessels, while supporting regional economic growth and strengthening Buffalo's position within the Great Lakes cruise sector.
The project follows the arrival of ACL-American Cruise Lines' American Patriot, which became the first cruise ship in decades to call at Buffalo when it berthed at a temporary facility near Erie Basin Marina in May 2026. The vessel's visit demonstrated the growing interest in Great Lakes itineraries that include Buffalo while construction of the permanent terminal proceeds.
The Buffalo Cruise Terminal is expected to enter service during the 2028 navigation season, providing dedicated infrastructure for Great Lakes cruise vessels and supporting the continued expansion of cruise tourism throughout Western New York.