Robert J. Kresse New Chair of the Niagara River Greenway Commission

Buffalo Civic Leader to Lead Effort Promoting Regional Waterfront

Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he appointed Robert J. Kresse of Buffalo as Chair of the Niagara River Greenway Commission. Mr. Kresse will lead the fourteen-member Greenway Commission as it works with local communities to develop a regional plan linking parks, trails and recreation areas and creating economic interest along the waterfront between downtown Buffalo and Niagara County.

“Bob Kresse’s enthusiasm and longstanding dedication has been instrumental in helping to protect cultural landmarks, support innovative programs and foster successful public-private partnerships that have helped improve the quality of life for Western New Yorkers,” Governor Pataki said. “I’m confident his energy and commitment as Chair of the Niagara River Greenway Commission at this critical and exciting time will help provide a strong foundation as it works to create opportunities among the scenic parklands and beautiful waterfronts that are hallmarks of the Buffalo-Niagara region.”

Mr. Kresse is an attorney with Hiscock & Barclay, LLP in Buffalo and serves on a number of boards and community organizations including the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, King Urban Life Center, Martin House Restoration Corporation, Green Downtown Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie County Medical Center Lifeline Foundation, New York State Preservation League, and the Buffalo Green Fund. Mr. Kresse is a graduate of Canisius College and Georgetown University Law Center.

The Commission, first called for by the Governor in his 2004 State of the State Address and signed into law that year, coordinates the planning and development of a greenway of interconnected parks, river access points and waterfront trails along the Niagara River from Lake Erie at Buffalo to Lake Ontario at the site of the historic Fort Niagara.

Under the legislation creating the Greenway, the Governor appoints eight members to the Commission and selects a chairperson. Appointed last May are the other members of the Commission: Michael Cornell; Paul A. Dyster; John Giardano; Paul G. Leuchner; Ronald H. Moline; Richard F. Soluri and Brett M. Sommer. Each of the appointees serve a term of four years.

Additional “ex officio” voting members of the Commission include the Secretary of State; the Commissioners of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Department of Transportation; and the Department of Economic Development; as well as the Chairperson of the New York Power Authority, or their designees.