Artists model of the proposed Bass Pro store on Buffalo's waterfront
Posted: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 6:46AM
Levy: Bass Pro Skeptics Hurting Lease Talks
(WBEN) Buffalo -- Stressing progress that has been made on the often delayed plans for a mega-sized fishing supply store on Buffalo's waterfront, the chairman of the group that shepherds waterfront development says lease talks are being hampered by continued public doubts about whether the project will ever get built.
Jordan Levy, chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp tells WBEN that he is fairly certain that Bass Pro Stores will proceed with their plans for the former Buffalo Memorial Aud site, and he says lease negotiations on the shovel-ready site the agency has prepared for the store continue.
The project was first announced over 5 years ago, and in the intervening years had been downsized while Bass Pro diluted the potential draw of the Buffalo project by opening several stores in the Northeast. And while Levy says it will proceed, he acknowledges that skepticism is out there..
"The only thing I can guarantee are death and taxes," Levy tells WBEN, emphasizing steady regular progress on the project.
On Tuesday, the New York Power Authority announced $150 million in bonding to advance the Canal Side project. including Bass Pro as the anchor of a specialty retail district, and the Buffalo City Council held hearings on a controversial "Community Benefit Agreement" that would pay the city for some of the costs of the development.
And through it all, Levy says Bass Pro remains interested despite being stung by skeptics..
" We're negotiating with Bass Pro. They have a lease (proposal). We're optimistic. We're moving forward with that.. Bass Pro is clearly sincere, but candidly the activity that is taking place in this community is in fact having a negative effect on those negotiations," :Levy says.
While members of the community continue to wonder why the project has been delayed and whether it is worth it, even public officials have begun to raise the idea of the entire Canal Side retail district proceeding with or without Bass Pro as an anchor tenant..
"With or without Bass Pro we have a waterfront to develop and we will develop that, " says Cong. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo)
"they have a lease (proposal)." That's what we get after 10 years? This is so, so silly. and the expectations will be impossibly high. And it's just a large retailer. Frankly, if the city had a good negotiating position, then no matter what the chatter was, BassPro would be eager to sign. Don't blame the marketplace for expressing its doubt. Just put together an excellent deal (with our money) and we'll shut right up. I am so sick of this. We look ridiculous.
07/14/2010 8:29AM
Bass Pro
Having a big box, Bass Pro type store may be a nice addition to downtown. However, not with so much public money and that location too. For my family of four, we would maybe go there once a year. We would spend more time if the location was turned into an Aquarium, Lake Erie museum, outlet mall, year round farmers market place, international market place, entertainment complex or many other ideas. I hope Buffalo will not be regretting this project in the years to come!!
07/14/2010 8:58AM
It is no longer amazing
It is the norm for WNY. The politicians and special interest groups, connected to Democrats and unions, have destroyed our economy and ability to compete.For Mr. Higgins to fail in the negotiations with the NYSPA and now to declare a victory with their involvement is laughable. Failure of Government, Media and the Electorate has lead to skeptics and cynics.Last to leave please turn out the lights.
07/14/2010 9:37AM
Bass Pro
Stop the madness the last thind we need is another copy cat venture We are tired of groveling for them
07/14/2010 10:15AM
bass pro
As far as I'm concerned bass Pro is just a waste of my tax dollars. It will not provide very many good paying jobs or attract any where near the amount of people they say it will. Another City of Buffalo failure, like the pools. Surprised?? I'm not! What a joke.
07/14/2010 10:34AM
Taxes? HAH!
" "The only thing I can guarantee are death and taxes," Levy tells WBEN."
But not for Bass Pro!! If this is hurting negotiations, too bad -- anything we can do to stop this stupid idea, we should.
07/14/2010 11:40AM
Levy must have supported George W Bush
Because that excuse sounds just like the "Bush was glorious but people were mean to him so he's perceived as a failure" nonsense. Please.
07/14/2010 1:27PM
Pull rod out of water
We do not need Bass Pro to have a successful waterfront. Period.
07/14/2010 1:33PM
Levy & His Attitude - Part of the Problem
Mr. Levy, those of us whose money you are proposing spending in great amounts to "lure" this business to Buffalo have a say - and after 6 years of ZERO results, it is you who are not in touch with reality. Besides, we're not living off of the lack of results with our paychecks as you have been for so long. In fact most if not all of those waving the flag and on the photo ops for making something happen at the waterfront are ALL on the public's payroll!!!Hence, shut up and make it happen soon, or we the citizens (i.e. your bosses) will actually do something and "fire you", so you get out and find a real job you where you can actually do and produce some results in the private sector.
07/15/2010 11:52AM
concerned taxpayer
Somewhere we have lost the idea of keep it simple, stupid. If our politicians reduced our taxes and over regulation, we would have a vibrant economy where retailers would flock to come here and open stores. Let's use this money to lower taxes and create jobs that in the end will fuel ecomomic expansion this area has not seen for years.
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The project was first announced over 5 years ago, and in the intervening years had been downsized while Bass Pro diluted the potential draw of the Buffalo project by opening several stores in the Northeast. And while Levy says it will proceed, he acknowledges that skepticism is out there..
