By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

As expected, directors of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. approved a $200,000 allocation that clears the way for the long-awaited Central Wharf restaurant to open year-round.

Technically, the funding was allocated to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park as a pass-through to restaurateurs Michael Shatzel and Jason Davidson. They will operate the still-unnamed eatery, set for the first floor of the museum. It's expected to open by early April at the latest.

Shatzel and Davidson were selected from a bidding process that took place earlier this year. Shatzel's family runs such area restaurants as Cole's and the Blue Monk; Davidson operates Waterline Cafe and has an interest in Fables Cafe.

The harbor development corporation wanted the restaurant open this summer, but prolonged negotiations between the City of Buffalo and the naval museum delayed awarding the bid until last month.

The focus now is on building out the restaurant space and opening as quickly as possible. A permanent, four-season restaurant at the Central Wharf has been a top development priority.

"We are thrilled the opportunity presented itself," said Tom Dee, president of the harbor development agency.

Operating hours will be determined for the restaurant, which will feature indoor and outdoor seating and offer a picturesque view of the Central Wharf site and USS The Sullivans and USS Little Rock.

"It will be a positive for the waterfront," said Jordan Levy, agency chairman. "We will be happy with the final product."

In other business, directors said a 20-acre parcel on the northern end of Fuhrmann Boulevard - a stretch that runs between Times Beach and the City Piers - should be open to the public by the end of May.

The harbor development agency acquired the two parcels from the New York Power Authority and Cargill Co. Both are vacant and full of knee-deep weeds and brush.

David Colligan, an agency director, said both parcels will be remediated as a whole instead of piecemeal.

This will mark the first time the property has been open to the public, said Colligan, a Buffalo attorney. Initially there will be walking trails while other ideas are considered including a dog park, playground, skate park and picnic area.

The land is being opened up as a 30-acre parcel near the U.S. Coast Guard station is opening to the public this fall. That land will take visitors to the edge of the historic Buffalo Lighthouse.

"It will help complete the puzzle," Colligan said.