The Tonawanda waterfront is in transition. Although the area has historically been dominated by heavy industry, a gradual awareness of the waterfront's value as a recreation resource has been steadily growing. It seems likely that increased recreation coupled with a steady transition of marginal industrial activities will continue in the foreseeable future.
 
Portions of the Tonawanda waterfront exhibit signs of industrial obsolescence. Drastic underutilization or outright abandonment of industrial facilities is common. However, there have been many positive developments in the last few years that are improving the character of the waterfront area and bringing new environmental technologies that are providing new jobs for our residents.