Buffalo's Outer Harbor: Grand opening of Wilkeson Pointe includes expanded waterfront activities

New Perro & Poni Restaurant coming soon

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced the grand-opening of the $11 million Wilkeson Pointe improvements project, with Perro & Poni restaurant coming soon at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.

Working within an approximate 7-acre site, the area between water’s edge at Wilkeson Pointe and the nearby Fuhrmann Boulevard entrance underwent a renovation to expand access to the waterfront site and enhance the visitor experience. A new restaurant, operated by the team behind South Buffalo’s popular Dog & Pony Saloon, is coming soon with a relaxing beer garden, featuring sand seating areas as well as a patio deck and gorgeous views of the water.

“Wilkeson Pointe has been one of Buffalo’s top spots for relaxation and recreation for more than a decade,” Hochul said. “Now, whether you’re meeting up with friends, enjoying an outdoor stroll or taking in the sunset, this new restaurant and expanded waterfront access, make Wilkeson Pointe an unparalleled outdoor destination.”

Hochul also announced while she was in Buffalo that Victory Cruise Lines Inc., which operates two 200-passenger ships on the Great Lakes, has sent a commitment letter to the state stating it intends to include Buffalo in its 2027 and beyond cruise itineraries. The governor previously announced the state is moving forward with plans to bring Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo.

Victory Cruise Lines’ commitment is pending the completion of the terminal facilities in Buffalo, as well as satisfactory terms concerning Victory Cruise Line’s use of the seawall mooring. At a June Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. meeting, the board approved a $1.65 million contract for architectural and engineering design and construction administration for a terminal on the Outer Harbor. Construction work on the new cruise ship terminal is set to begin by early next year with completion by mid-2027.

With the opening of Wilkeson Pointe, Perro & Poni will feature a menu offering bold, Tex-Mex flavors and dishes served fresh at the lakeside counter-service eatery. Perfect for a quick bite for visitors, Perro & Poni also will have a full bar with selections including signature tequila, frozen and beer cocktails, a rotating selection of local craft beers, and refreshing nonalcoholic options. See menu here.

Announced by Hochul in 2022 as one of several significant Buffalo waterfront projects being accelerated for completion, the Wilkeson Pointe renovations began in September 2023. In addition to the new food service building, the improvements made to the 7-acre site include:

√ Visitor safety measures, such as relocated parking areas at a distance from the water and from the site’s pedestrian trail

√ Restrooms and storage for the operations management team

√ A new outdoor seating area

√ Relocated and elevated trails near the water’s edge

√ Improved landscaping, integrating of natural species and creating meadows, grasslands, and pollinator fields

√ Recreational activities have returned to the park with volleyball courts, an open lawn area, and a new park golf location, as well as kayak and bicycle rentals and programming throughout the summer.

Buffalo Waterfront coordinated a full activities calendar including volleyball games, fitness events, and a live music series in addition to the day-to-day amenities in the park, which will complement Perro & Poni’s arrival. More information can be found at www.buffalowaterfront.com.

Images courtesy of the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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Dog & Pony Saloon General Manager Suzanne Shatzel said, “We’re thrilled to build on the success of Dog & Pony Saloon in South Buffalo and open Perro & Poni at Wilkeson Pointe. Perro & Poni will bring fresh, Tex-Mex flavors to the Outer Harbor and offer visitors an exciting new dining experience at one of the best stops along Buffalo’s scenic waterfront.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “With fresh options for dining, recreation and relaxation, the improved Wilkeson Pointe is an exceptional space to enjoy Buffalo’s Outer Harbor vistas and natural beauty. This project upgrades a longtime favorite spot for Western New York residents and transforms it into a must-visit destination for all, furthering the state’s efforts to revitalize Buffalo’s magnificent waterfront.”

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. Chairperson Joan Kesner said, “As we cut the ribbon on the Wilkeson Pointe improvements, we did the near-impossible: made one of the best places in Western New York, even better. Gov. Hochul made this project one of her priorities, and the outcome is another waterfront spot to be proud of. Make sure coming down to the Outer Harbor – for a refreshing drink, to try your hand at park golf, rent a kayak, or for one of the many other activities – is on your summer 2025 bucket list.”

Funding for this project is from the New York Power Authority, through relicensing agreements tied to the operation of the Niagara Power Project.

NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Buffalo’s Outer Harbor has always been one of the best places to enjoy the region’s stunning vistas and natural beauty. Through nearly $155 million in Power Authority funding support to ECHDC, including $38 million for the Outer Harbor, Wilkeson Pointe now includes world-class amenities that elevate the visitor experience, offering new opportunities for dining, recreation and relaxation in a scenic waterfront setting.”

Wilkeson Pointe was first established in 2013 in an area just south of Times Beach, on lands that were once used to store the NYPA ice boom, along with a former private welding and ship repair establishment. A $5 million state capital investment placed a soil cap on areas of the site to open the property to public use for the first time in the parcel’s history, with a network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways, a kayak launch and fishing pier, playground, comfort station, event lawn, parking facilities, and regenerative landscaping using native plants and green infrastructure such as bioswales. The property’s edge was also reinforced with heavy stone to repair earlier seiche damage, while wind sculptures were placed on the “pointe” to celebrate the site’s year‐round breezes.

For more information, visit here.

Buffalo’s Waterfront is a growing regional destination and entertainment district encompassing Canalside and Outer Harbor. The Buffalo Waterfront hosts large events and daily activities of all types and strives to provide public access to the land and waterways on the Lake Erie shoreline. Operated by the Buffalo Waterfront Management Group, part of Rich Entertainment Group – a subsidiary of Rich Products – the Buffalo Waterfront is a go-to place for locals and out-of-towners of all ages to learn, play and relax. For more information, visit www.buffalowaterfront.com.