Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation contracted Miller Construction to enhance public access and environmental quality at Bell Slip, a unique site along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.

The project included installing a new restroom facility, connector path, and overlook deck, creating new opportunities for public use and waterfront enjoyment.

In partnership with Fisher Associates, the team constructed a fracture garden using reclaimed concrete and specially selected seed mixes designed to improve the area’s ecological health while reflecting its existing character and preserving its industrial roots.

As a previously contaminated site built on manufactured land, Bell Slip — the birthplace of the hovercraft — required thoughtful remediation. Working alongside Turner Construction, LIRO, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Miller managed environmental challenges, including navigating contamination on the site and importing clean materials and native plantings to support long-term restoration of the area.