The "dustup" between Rep. Brian Higgins and state officials overseeing the Outer Harbor appears to have subsided after they agreed to hasten development in time for next spring.

That means trails, bike rentals, benches, landscaping and other amenities – similar to what has sprouted over the past year at the Outer Harbor's Wilkeson Pointe – could be ready or at least in the pipeline in time for next summer.

Higgins in September sharply criticized the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation's pace in providing amenities in the approximately 130 acres between the Bell Slip and Seaway Pier.

But his words were much more conciliatory this week.

"Whatever occurred was a dustup that resulted in some creative tension," Higgins said Thursday. "I think everyone is now on the same page."

Robert D. Gioia, chairman of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., agreed that despite Higgins' barbs in recent weeks, all are now working amiably and progress will soon be noted.

"Most of this can be done sooner rather than later except for the significant construction," he said. "But everybody is on the same page, even if not the same sentence and punctuation point."