Restoring Our Heritage. Recognizing Our Future. Lockport’s Flight of Five: Erie Canal Locks #67-71

Vision: A world-renowned tourist destination: The Lockport Locks Heritage District. Mission: The stabilization and restoration of the Flight of Five Locks to a functioning flight of locks representative of its 1862 condition (located within the Lockport Industrial District on the National Register of Historic Places).

Project Overview: Executive Summary The Erie Canalway has been designated a National Heritage Corridor by Congress (2000). The Lockport Locks Heritage District consists of the most significant historic site from the 1862-era Erie Canal that is still in operating condition. A restored site will be a magnet for Niagara region tourists.

Project Overview: Executive Summary (continued) The Lockport community has received $3.2 million in state and federal appropriations. Funds will be used for: –Design and construction management –Hydraulics, water management –Site access –Rehabilitation and restoration of Locks #67-71

Economic Impact Summary Restored 19 th Century canalways exist in the urban centers of Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Canada. A restored section of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in Washington, D.C., features authentic mule-drawn packet boat rides and attracts more than 4,000,000 visitors per year. The restored Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada, attracts more than 634,000 visitors every year.

Economic Impact Summary (continued) The Niagara-Buffalo region draws more than 25 million tourists annually who spend close to $3 billion per year. The restored Flight of Five is projected to draw hundreds of thousands of these visitors into Niagara County each year.

Section I: History & Background

The Erie Canal was hand-dug to connect the Hudson River with the Niagara River. The 363-mile canal in 1862 featured 72 stone locks to overcome the 571-foot difference in elevation between the rivers.

Section I: History & Background (continued) The complex was built as two sets of five flights of locks (one east-bound, one west-bound) and was considered to be an engineering triumph. The locks allowed boats to overcome the 60-foot change in elevation created by the Niagara Escarpment. The opening of the locks was celebrated on October 26, 1825 with a grand procession.

Section I: History & Background (continued) The construction of the Barge Canal from 1905 to 1918 required the demolition of the southern portion of the Flight of Five. The southern Flight of Five was replaced with the current two enlarged electrically operated Locks #34 & #35. Fortunately, canal engineers left the northern combine of the 1835-era Flight of Five locks intact during the 1918 enlargement.

Section I: History & Background (continued) Upon restoration, the Lockport Locks Heritage District will be the only location in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor where historic manual and current electrical operation of canal lock technology can be viewed side by side.

Section II: Scope & Details of the Restoration

The $3.2 million in grants secured to date will fund the following restoration activities: –Stabilization of wood foundations and stone masonry –Stabilization of remaining stone bridges and guardrail assemblies at stairs and ramps –Procurement of design services –Update of construction cost estimates and definition of project parameters

Section III: Economic Impact of the Restoration

The Niagara Region features Old Fort Niagara, Niagara Reservation State Park, the Darwin Martin House, the Richardson Complex and other heritage sites of national significance. A renovated Flight of Five Locks will build on the already popular Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises, the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride attractions and the Lockport Visitor’s Center, Home of the Erie Canal Discovery Center. More than 25 million visitors spend nearly $3 billion per year in the Niagara-Buffalo region annually.

Section III: Economic Impact of the Restoration (continued) The Rideau Canal in Canada offers an excellent example of a restored canal becoming established as a significant magnet for tourism. The 125-mile long Rideau Canal was completed in 1832 and has 52 locks along its length.

Upcoming Tasks Retain engineering consultant team for design and construction management Request additional federal, state and private funding sources Obtain necessary permits Bid and award construction contracts Complete restoration Operate and market Lockport Locks Heritage District

Summary Lockport, with its Flight of Five Restoration, is one of only two preservation pilot projects designated by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. The restored site will be a truly unique, historically significant destination. The restored Flight of Five should draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Niagara region’s growing tourism industry.

Restoring Our Heritage. Recognizing Our Future. Lockport’s Flight of Five: Erie Canal Locks #67-71