Preservation League Comments on Reimagine the Canals Initiative

In June 2019, Governor Cuomo announced the Reimagine the Canals initiative of the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation, with the goal “to boost local economies, inspire new opportunities for tourism and recreation, and strengthen environmental resiliency along the historic waterway.” The Preservation League believes that the power of our New York State Canal System, a National Historic Landmark, is rooted in its history, authenticity as a continuously operating end-to-end canal system, vibrancy, and ability to leverage tourism now and in the future.

In the midst of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial celebration (built 1817-1825) and on the heels of the centennial of the National Historic Landmark Barge Canal System, the League has released a public statement on the Reimagine initiative. “The Preservation League believes that the best future for our NYS Canal System lies in capitalizing on its past, marketing itself as a historic transportation corridor, improving amenities for canal users, and strengthening local, regional, and international partnerships to promote tourism, as well as recreational and commercial use.”

Click here to read our full letter.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor also released a statement in response to this initiative. You can read it here.

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This issue was covered in the Friday, October 18 edition of the Buffalo News. Our Vice President for Policy & Preservation Erin Tobin was quoted: "The canal is such a vibrant, rich part of our state. Anybody who spends time in upstate New York, including our governor, knows and loves and understands that the canal is a huge part of the communities all along its corridor."