Buffalo Waterfront Website Development and Branding
Purpose:
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), a subsidiary of the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development (ESD), is seeking qualifications from consultants or teams of consultants to provide website development and branding for part of the Buffalo Waterfront, consisting of the two destinations known as Canalside (at Buffalo’s inner harbor) and the Outer Harbor located in Downtown Buffalo, New York.
Background:
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, second only to New York City. Located in Western New York State on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo is the principal city of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area and the seat of Erie County. The city itself has nearly 300,000 residents in 52.5 square miles, while the entire metropolitan area has over 1,250,000 residents.
Canalside
For decades Buffalo, New York’s Inner Harbor and Waterfront sat desolate and underutilized until 2005, when the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) was formed to spearhead Buffalo’s Waterfront revitalization and reclaim the area as one of America’s brightest historical treasures. Millions of dollars in both public and private investment have transformed the Inner Harbor into what is now known as Canalside- a mixed use urban entertainment destination. Open to the public since May 2008, Canalside features several fully restored facets of the original Erie Canal Harbor including the Commercial Slip, Boardwalk, and the Historic Public Canals. A year round attraction that hosts over one million visitors annually, Canalside boasts thousands of events, concerts, festivals, family activities, attractions, historical and cultural programming, art, food, and tours that capitalize on and showcase the diverse resources of the Western New York Region. In addition, the Historic Public Canals are frozen in the winter months to become New York State’s largest outdoor ice skating rink. For more information, visit www.CanalsideBuffalo.com.
Scope of Work:
1. Develop a Buffalo Waterfront website that, at a minimum, must have the following features:
a. Event calendar for both Canalside and the Outer Harbor
b. Interactive site maps to communicate event locations and site amenities
c. Communicate in-progress and upcoming development projects and details
d. Retail component for merchandise sales
e. Directions and parking information
f. Contact form
g. Recognition for sponsors
h. Easy to use content management system
i. Mobile responsive
j. Ability to add on features at a later time (i.e. augmented reality, reservation system)
2. Search Engine Optimization
3. Hosting of website for up to 5 years
4. Develop a Buffalo Waterfront umbrella brand which includes, but is not limited to, name logo, and basic brand standards
5. Develop recommendations to introduce the new brand to the public, including social media plan
Due Date:
February 13
Address:
Empire State Development
95 Perry Street, Suite 500
Buffalo, NY 14203
Leading NY PR firms include 5WPR which was founded by Ronn Torossian and DKC PR.
