alright, started....

Jman or any mod, can you please sticky this thing.

From today's Buffalo News...

Lenox Hotel being renovated, and its restaurant reopened
By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
3/23/2006

The Lenox Hotel will have 116 spruced-up apartments, 40 hotel rooms - and perhaps a roof-top terrace.

The historic Lenox Hotel on North Street in Allentown is getting a dose of modernization.
The 1896 vintage landmark is in the midst of an interior renovation that will bring updates to all of its 156 hotel rooms and apartments, and see a new restaurant debut next month.

"It's a solid building. Everything is plumb and level, but it really needed a makeover," said Anthony F. Trusso, who purchased the venerable building in August 2005. "There's a lot of work to do, but we're going one step at a time and seeing great results."

He declined to say how much he's investing to put a fresh face on the once-grand Buffalo hotel, but characterized the costs as "pretty substantial."

Since buying the Lenox seven months ago from a California-based investment firm for $2.4 million, Trusso has renovated about 30 of what will eventually be a slate of 116 apartments.

"We're renting them faster than we can redo them and it's all been by word of mouth," Trusso said.

The apartment upgrades include everything from kitchen cabinets to ceramic tile to fresh coats of paint. The collection of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments are priced starting at $425 per month, including a utility package the includes basic cable television service.

"There are a lot of units on the market downtown at $1,400 or more a month, so we're offering a well-priced alternative at a great location," Trusso said.

The new owner has also begun to overhaul the building's 40 faded hotel rooms. Planned exterior work includes: brick repointing, trim repair, and window and parking lot improvements.

Trusso's longer-term plans are to create a roof-top patio lounge area for tenants and hotel guests in 2007.

"The views from the top of this building are really wonderful, so we'd like to have our tenants take advantage of that," Trusso said.

For decades, the hotel's eighth-floor Skyview Room dining room drew patrons as much for the spectacular views as the top-shelf menus.

These days the food focus at the Lenox is in the basement space that was most recently home to Leopold's eatery. Billy Regan and Kim Rossi, owners of the nearby Mulligan's Brick Bar on Allen Street, will open North, a pub-style, casual restaurant next month.

North will serve up lunches and dinners Monday through Saturday, and add brunch to the menu for Sunday. Dining options will range from homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, along with traditional meat, poultry and seafood dishes in the evening.

Designed by Loverin & Whalen, the exterior of the Gilded Age-era building still retains its key original features, including distinctive bay windows trimmed with terra cotta relief, along with decorative cornices and rounded window arches.

Originally built as a 24-unit apartment building which housed families whose names graced the local social register - including a young F. Scott Fitzgerald - it was converted to a 48-room, luxury residence hotel in time for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.

In the 1940s, it was reconfigured yet again to more than 150 hotel rooms, many with kitchenettes for extended-stay guests.

Over the years its guest register included Aaron Copeland, Henry Fonda, Duke Ellington and Harry Belafonte.

The once-grand complex fell on difficult times in the 1990s and landed in foreclosure proceedings in 2002. Many of its rooms have sat empty for several years as its former owner, Blackburne and Brown, weighed a never-executed plan to convert it to high-end condominiums.

e-mail: slinstedt@buffnews.com

great news, I wanna go to this place one day.

that view from it is wonderful.

am i correct that this is the hotel that 'westsidejohn' took those nice dense views of downtown from? if so the views from this building are priceless.

425 a month to start for studios w/utilities plus basic cable? in a recently renovated building? thats a freakin deal and a half, even in buffalo.
its great to see that the demand for housing in buffalo extends beyond empty nesters, wealthy professionals, and SSC forumers. clean and safe housing with amenities at that price is a great selling point for single,working class to middle income, twenty and thirty somethings, which i think we can agree are an integral part of a buffalo revival.

A pic of the model unit there was on BRising:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/02/a_view_of_a_room_with_a_v.php

Congressman Higgins, Mayor Brown, Congress for New Urbanism President John Norquist Announce Buffalo Skyway Chosen for National Study

March 23, 2006

Former Mayor of Milwaukee and current President of the Congress for New Urbanism, John Norquist, was in Western New York today to meet with Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Following their meeting the three announced that the City of Buffalo was one of three cities chosen nationally for a joint project by the Congress for New Urbanism and the Center for Neighborhood Technology which focuses on the economic and transportation impacts of removing elevated highways and reconnecting the urban grid with boulevards.

“Removal of the Buffalo Skyway is an important step in improving access to a new and vibrant Buffalo waterfront,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “As Mayor, John Norquist led the charge in promoting demolition of a stretch of elevated highway in his city, clearing the way for $300 million in new development in Milwaukee. Now, the Western New York community has the opportunity to learn and grow from his experience, expertise and commitment to this cause.”

Congressman Higgins recently announced his support for the design of a lift bridge or series of lift bridges to connect Buffalo’s inner and outer harbors, an important component in the waterfront plan unveiled by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.

Buffalo's selection was based on the condition of the Skyway and the potential to connect the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods to the waterfront. Buffalo will join Louisville and Seattle as the project team investigates the potential of teardown/rebuild/reconnect options. This project will include comparisons to the impacts of what has happened in those cities which have already removed elevated highways - Milwaukee, Portland and San Francisco.

“This selection is another positive step for the city’s waterfront development activities,” stated Mayor Brown. “I thank Congressman Higgins for his leadership and continuing support of the city’s ongoing effort to transform our waterfront. Now, with the involvement of former Mayor John Norquist, who knows these issues well, the Congress for New Urbanism and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, we can benefit from expert analysis of what to do with the Skyway and enhance waterfront access for our citizens. This is exciting for the City of Buffalo and the future of our waterfront.”

The Congress for New Urbanism and the Center for Neighborhood Technology were awarded a $110,000 grant by the Surdna Foundation for their project titled, “Highways to Boulevards: Reclaiming Urbanism & Revitalizing Cities.”
Founded in 1993, the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a nonprofit membership organization made up of more than 2,800 architects, urban planners, developers, real estate professionals, and public officials. Its objective is to initiate a movement in America aimed at restoring urban centers, reconfiguring sprawling suburbs, conserving regional environmental assets, and preserving our built legacy. While more and more public attention is being given to the problems of sprawl, CNU is one of only a few voices addressing the confluence of community, economics, and environment in our cities and suburbs.

"Buffalo has an opportunity to unlock the value of one of its most important assets by reconnecting the downtown to the waterfront,” said John Norquist. “People are rediscovering the character of downtown Buffalo but the city’s rebirth is hampered by how the Skyway disrupts the urban form and limits access to Lake Erie. Growing local support for valuable alternatives to elevated highways strongly influenced our decision to include Buffalo in our project."

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), founded in 1978, is an independent non-profit organization that works to promote more livable and sustainable urban communities. CNT’s approach involves making better and more efficient use of the undervalued resources and inherent advantages of the built and natural systems that comprise the urban environment.

George R. Grasser, founder and president of Partners for a Livable Western New York, was also present to show support for the project. Partners for a Livable Western New York promotes the creation of walkable neighborhoods, the improvement of existing neighborhoods, mixed-use development and other alternatives to urban sprawl and is one of the founding sponsors of the “Smart Growth is Smart Business” interactive speakers series in which Mr. Norquist was a featured presenter in 2005.

***

I submitted an email to his office addressing two of my concerns:
- I don't believe that the removal of the Skyway is the end-all to our water/riverfront access woes.
- Whereas I-190 is. This study, while implying I-190 is included, doesn't explictly state that, which concerns me that it may not be part of the study.

It would be a shame to go forward and remove the Skyway while leaving I-190 intact. We will have accomplished absolutely nothing but increase commuting traffic bottlenecks.

http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20060324/1035884.asp

nothing could be better for niagara falls.

Today's key seems to be "development by destruction"?

hahaha^^
yeah, well when a previous development is an eyesore, always will be an eyesore, costs public money to maintain, has acted to divide city neighborhoods, is dragging down property values, and stands in the way of potential development then destroying it can be viewed as progress.

they have some commuter issues to address before they can do anything about the skyway or the 190. the robert moses doesn't serve as much of for daily commuters.

I-190 serves much less of a capacity than Rte 5 when it comes to commuters, or so logic would dictate. There probably aren't many commuters who loop past the city on I-190, whereas Rte 5 is a focal spur, and the only one to/from that particular direction. Take out the Porter-Elm stretch, and I-190 will still serve directional commuters from both sides.

I also think there is far more to gain by removing I-190. Remove the Skyway, and only the Skyway, and I think they'll be disappointed, because you're not going to gain a whole lot. And think of it this way - if they say the Skyway is blocking the waterfront from downtown, well by that logic, I-190 is blocking downtown from the Skyway. Remove the Skyway if you must, but don't then claim that downtown is reconnected. Tell that to Lower West Siders who can't easily get to LaSalle Park, for instance.

On the subject of infrastructure, another thing which I think would add value is to cover the Kensington Expwy in the Humboldt Pkwy stretch. I know the idea is out there, I've seen it before. Just might keep that neighborhood from tipping any farther over the edge.

study study study study...alot of studies, but they always have a different excuse.

I dunno guys, it's time they just do something.

So I would assume today is the day of some ceremony marking New Era's move into the Federal Reserve building? I just drove by it, and there were a few New Era trucks parked out front, and a pair of oversize inflated NY Yankees and Mets baseball caps on the sidewalk...

Shoulda had my camera on me!

perhaps this signals a "new era" in buffalo...
hahaha zing.

Well who's to say about that one.

Either way, it does appear to be a "new era" in the weather department today.

yeah, it was more bad pun than anything else.
i wasn't quite awake yet so it wa alot funnier than it is now.

OK guys, here's our chance to put our money where our mouths are. For anyone who is interested in architectural preservation and downtown neighborhood stablization, here's a great way to show your support. Maybe we could have a meet up at this event. The cost is $30, but you get food, drinks, and entertainment. Not to mention the satisfaction of knowing you're helping a great urban cause. I am going to be there for sure. Here's the Press Release:

BUFFALO, NY, MARCH 12, 2006: Preservation Blues is co-chaired by Sharon Heim and David Wahl and set to take place on Friday, March 31, 2006 from 7:00 until 11:00 pm at the historic Market Arcade Atrium, 617 Main Street in Buffalo, NY to benefit the Neighborhood Preservation Collaborative’s (NPC) Best Practices Assistance (BPA) Fund.The NPC was developed to unify all community members in preserving and restoring the architecture, heritage, and neighborhood fabric in the City of Buffalo. The Collaborative will cooperate with homeowners and businesspeople to protect the significant historical assets in our City, and will engage in proactive measures to safeguard our City’s unique urban landscape.

Best Practices Assistance Fund: The plight of the low-income homeowner in preservation districts is one of the most essential needs in the scope of the NPC. It is with this in mind this funding program was developed in order to assist this type of homeowner. The “BPA Fund” is a special fund that will provide the difference between the average cost of repair and the repair needed under the guidelines of preservation standards. For example, if a window casing were deteriorating enough to need total replacement on an average home found in non-preservation districts, the average cost would be around $400. However, due to preservation standards and the shape of the window, number of panes, etc., that cost can well exceed $1,000. This fund would provide the qualified homeowner with that difference of $600. The home is then protected from the elements with the new, preservation standard-approved repair and element and the architectural significance is restored. Additionally, the homeowner can stay in the neighborhood and possibly continue to pass their home down to the next generation.

Preservation Blues will create the needed seed funding that provides documentation of general community support for the concept to future funders, whether government or private foundations.

For the beer connoisseur, Preservation Brew, crafted by Flying Bison Brewery, will be launched and served on tap at this event. Party-goers will also be able to take home a six-pack of Preservation Brew for an additional donation that evening with all proceeds from the sale going directly to the BPA Fund.

Other libations to be served at Preservation Blues include a wine-tasting from our friends at Chateau Buffalo. The Bijou Grille and Salsarita's have also provided light fare and nibbilies as a donation to this event. Other restaurant certificates and Buffalo Blue Bicycles are providing goods for an on-site raffle.

Outstanding local musician Jim Sansone will be there, too, performing blues and jazz above the crowd on the second level for a night of good will and good old Buffalo partying!
The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier will provide a glimpse into Buffalo's past in the Buffalo Architecture Center, located in the historic atrium, for everyone’s viewing. Currently, the H H Richardson Complex is featured and that display will be supplemented by private pictorial collections.

Other sponsors of Preservation Blues include Buffalo Rising Online, WBFO, the Zenger Group, and the West Village Renaissance Group. Added thanks go out to Kelly Vail, a West Village resident, for her graphic design of the Preservation Brew label and Preservation Blues logo.

So, for $30 ($20 if you're a student or senior) you get a night of music, nibbilies, home-grown brew, a look into Buffalo's past, a wine-tasting, and great networking. All for a tremendous cause - the Neighborhood Preservation Collaborative's BPA Fund - preserving historic homes while helping folks stay in their homes and neighborhoods.
Tickets are available now online at NepTix.com and are priced at $30 per person with a discount pricing of $20 for seniors and students. Tickets can also be purchased at New World Record, 765 Elmwood Avenue, in the Elmwood Village Shopping District, or Chateau Buffalo, 1209 Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo.

For more information or to volunteer for this event, e-mail: westvillageren@msn.com or call Marilyn Rodgers at 716-440-1106. Additional information regarding the NPC can be viewed online at http://NPC-Buffalo.blogspot.com.

WNY construction heats up
Business First of Buffalo - 10:46 AM EST Monday

The new year is looking to be a strong one for Western New York's construction sector.

Contracts for future construction in Erie and Niagara counties totaled $102.3 million in February, according to figures released Monday morning by McGraw-Hill Inc.

That represented an increase of 165 percent from the total of $38.6 million in the same month a year ago.

Both sides of the construction sector were broadly higher in February.

Nonresidential activity saw a fivefold increase, reaching $75.8 million last month. Nonresidential projects include stores, industrial plants, schools, churches and office buildings.

The increase on the residential side was 13 percent, hitting $26.5 million in February 2006.

The two-month total for the year was also up substantially. Construction activity in January and February equaled $177 million, an increase of 54 percent from the same period last year.

Wasn't there a strike affecting construction at this time last year? I know it was holding up the State and County highway work, anyways. Just wondering if that's partially to explain for the dramatic rise.

Wasn't there a strike affecting construction at this time last year? I know it was holding up the State and County highway work, anyways. Just wondering if that's partially to explain for the dramatic rise.
Road jobs are tracked separately and are not a part of these residential and commercial figures. Plus the strike did not start until the April May period.

This is a pure and simple reflection of a strenghtening economy. Plus last year ended up being the second highest construction year on record for Erie/Niagara.

Sounds good to me.

Airlines adding Buffalo flights
By Jennifer Heldt Powell
Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Whether they’re going to Buffalo for business or to see the roaring Niagara Falls, Bay Staters will soon have more options to get there.

U.S. Airways announced yesterday that it is more than doubling the number of flights to Buffalo, N.Y., as JetBlue also launches service to the city.

“We felt there was enough of a demand to add extra capacity,” said U.S. Airways spokesman Phil Gee.

JetBlue decided to fly to Buffalo from Boston after noting the number of passengers flying JetBlue to Buffalo through New York City, said president David Neeleman last week.

U.S. Airways will add four daily Buffalo mid-week flights to its current three starting June 19. It will also add two on Sunday for a total of five. JetBlue will launch its service on June 30.

Buffalo tourism officials are thrilled with the heightened attentions, said Ed Healy, spokesman for the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“New England is a key feeder market,” he said. The group already advertises locally and expects a bump in visitors with an easy alternative to a seven-hour drive.

A major movie production starring Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman will turn its cameras on Buffalo later this week.
Several scenes for the upcoming Fox Searchlight film "The Savages" are expected to be shot in the city and Niagara Falls starting Thursday. Buffalo Niagara Film Commission Executive Director Tim Clark confirmed that scouts for the movie visited the city in recent days but declined to discuss details of the production.

"The Savages" will tell the story of an elderly man, Larry Savage, who moves to Buffalo to be closer to his estranged adult children. As the dark comedy unfolds, the son, played by Hoffman, and daughter, played by Laura Linney, are faced with the legacy of their upbringing and the realities of family responsibilities.

In Buffalo's last appearance on the big screen, in 2003, the city served as the backdrop to Jim Carrey's "Bruce Almighty," but the stars never stepped foot in Western New York. This time, both Hoffman and Linney will be here to shoot scenes.

While the majority of the movie will be shot in New York City, several key scenes will be staged here. The movie's scouts are said to have eyeballed exteriors of city hospitals, residential neighborhoods, a North Buffalo pizzeria and local roadways. The crews also toured a site near the American Falls.

"We look forward to accommodating the needs of Fox Searchlight and the crew of "The Savages,' but there's a necessary level of privacy that's required to ensure their work here is not interrupted," Clark said.

Hoffman, a suburban Rochester native, won the best-actor Oscar earlier this month for his portrayal of Truman Capote in "Capote." Linney was nominated in the best-actress category in 2005 for her work in "Kinsey."

The film will be directed by Tamara Jenkins, whose debut film, "The Slums of Beverly Hills," drew critical praise. Jenkins and other representatives of the film visited Buffalo last summer, meeting with former film commission chief Mark Stricklin, Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra and Clark.

In addition to putting Buffalo and Western New York back on the big screen, the production will bring work to a number of local film industry professionals. A Buffalo-based crew has been assembled to assist with the shoot.

The area's film resume also includes: "The Natural," (starring Robert Redford and Kim Basinger, 1983); "Best Friends" (Goldie Hawn and Burt Reynolds, 1982); "Hide in Plain Sight" (James Caan, 1980); "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" (John Candy and Steve Martin, 1986); "Buffalo 66" (directed by Buffalo native Vince Gallo, starring Gallo and Christina Ricci, 1997); and "Manna From Heaven" (produced by Buffalo's Burton sisters, 2001).

Several television series, including last fall's finale of "The Amazing Race," have been shot here. MTV, the Travel Channel, the Food Channel, the Discovery Channel and Home and Garden Television also have spent time here in the past couple of years

Local home builders to expand in Middleport

By Eric DuVall / duvalle@gnnewspaper.com
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

MIDDLEPORT — Business is booming for Barden Homes these days.

The Middleport-based manufacturer of homes, churches and other commercial products is planning a new 14,000-square-foot complex on Route 31. CEO Kevin Tomko said the building will house the company’s expanded offices and will be located adjacent to the company’s manufacturing site on Kelly Avenue.

The project will cost $1.2 million and is scheduled to begin next month.

Tomko cited “sales growth in Western New York, Ohio and Canada” as the reason for the expansion. “Plus, we just needed to update our facilities,” he said.

Chief Financial Officer Tim Gelden’s ties to the company go back a generation to his father who helped found the business in Middleport.

“I love it” that we can expand here, Gelden said.

The company expects to manufacture 650 new homes in addition to 50 new churches and other projects in 2006. Sales, Tomko said, have doubled at the site over the last five years.

The business has a second site in Tully, outside of Syracuse, but keeping the Middleport site thriving was a priority, Tomko said.

“We had the opportunity to consolidate and instead of consolidating, we decided to invest in both communities,” he said. “We have a long history here. We’re reinvesting.”

The company was founded in 1909 as a manufacturer of wagon wheels. It switched to home manufacturing during the post-World War II housing boom. The Middleport site has been operational for more than 50 years.

Employment at the Middleport site varies from 250-285 employees depending on the season.

Also to be included on the site will be a small commercial/industrial park. An access road will be constructed from Route 31 to the new site, exiting on Carmen Road. Space for about a dozen new developments will be made.

“Middleport won’t know what to do with all this expansion,” Tomko said.

Tomko hopes to have the project completed with workers moved in by September

Benderson Development is planning a 'lifestyle center' for 30 acres recently purchased from the Buffalo Shooting Club on Maple Road in Amherst. Preliminary plans call for a mix of office, retail and residential space.

Lifestyle centers are one of the biggest trends in retailing today. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers,a lifestyle center is most often located near affluent residential neighborhoods, and caters to the retail needs and "lifestyle" pursuits of consumers in its trading area. It has an open-air configuration and typically includes 150,000 to 500,000 square feet of retail space occupied by upscale national chain specialty stores. Other elements differentiate the lifestyle center in its role as a multi-purpose leisure-time destination including restaurants, entertainment, and amenities such as fountains and parks. Many are designed as a 'Main Street' with nostalgic building facades, including residences above stores, office space and even hotels. In other words, a fancy strip mall.
Benderson has purchased the property on the north side of Maple Road between North Forest and Millersport Highway near the University at Buffalo's Amherst campus for $3 million.

ALBANY - Property owners, families with school-age children and clothing purchasers would be the major recipients of $2.1 billion in tax cuts this year under an agreement hammered out Tuesday night by an election-bound State Legislature.

The $112.4 billion budget proposal crafted by the Senate and Assembly, up nearly $2 billion from the fiscal plan by Gov. George E. Pataki, will permanently eliminate the state sales tax on certain clothing purchases and provide a record $1.1 billion increase in aid to public schools.

The tax cut package came together only hours before the midnight deadline. It includes a rebate - with checks going out just before the November elections - worth 30 percent of a property owner's STAR property tax break, ranging from $300 to $800 per household.

A bid by religious and private schools for a tax credit for educational expenses, including non-public school tuition, was rejected, and replaced with a tax credit, up to $330, for every child between ages 4 and 17 in a family earning less than $170,000 a year.

Lawmakers also turned back an effort by Pataki to delay the scheduled end of the state's 4 percent sales tax on clothing purchases under $110. The end of the tax is set to begin this weekend.

The cut is worth $600 million this year.

Other tax cuts include elimination of the state's so-called income tax marriage penalty; tax breaks for companies in Empire Zones, film companies and volunteer firefighters; a cost-of-living adjustment for seniors in the STAR program; and the elimination of sales tax on amusement park admissions.

"We have a $4 billion-plus surplus. We believe the overburdened taxpayers of our state need to get that back," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

Lawmakers also rejected $466 million in Pataki revenue raisers, including $300 million for the higher cigarette tax and $38 million by placing cameras in highway work zones to catch speeders.

"We have a $4 billion-plus surplus. We believe the overburdened taxpayers of our state need to get that back," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

now thats the mosy hilarious thing I have ever heard a NYS political figure say...wow

Oh wait...it's election year....We'll see a tax increase next year. MARK MY WORDS

"We have a $4 billion-plus surplus. We believe the overburdened taxpayers of our state need to get that back," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

now thats the mosy hilarious thing I have ever heard a NYS political figure say...wow

Oh wait...it's election year....We'll see a tax increase next year. MARK MY WORDS

hahah zing.
seriously though, you are probably right.
alot of those tax cuts should be made permanent.
what do they mean by "certain clothing purchases"?

^^Purchases on clothing items less than $110.

This is the biggest crock of B.S. I've ever heard. Usually when a development pops up, it is the onus of the developer to mitigate traffic-related impacts owing to the development, not the other way around.

Further proof the Senecas have Buffalo by the balls. Not good.

***

Senecas seek casino area improvements
By BRIAN MEYER
News Staff Reporter
3/29/2006

Seneca Nation leaders want the city to spend about $6 million on road improvements, traffic signals, signs and sewer work near its proposed downtown casino.
Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Jr.'s request was dated March 23, the same day he criticized the Common Council's push to require the tribe to sign a legally binding agreement that would limit the amount of tax-exempt downtown land it could acquire.

The request for infrastructure work isn't sitting well with some Council members.

"I could sure use $6 million in the North Councilmanic District for street repairs and other infrastructure work," said Joseph Golombek Jr.

Majority Leader Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr. said the only way he would support such a request is if the state and perhaps the county agreed to help shoulder the burden. Bonifacio thinks the state should consider footing 80 percent of the tab.

"Paying for infrastructure improvements off the casino site would be a heavy lift for the city," Bonifacio said.

Council President David A. Franczyk agreed the state should pay for most of the work since Albany will receive more casino revenue than Buffalo. Still, Franczyk stressed a majority of lawmakers "cautiously support" the casino project.

The request for infrastructure work on about a dozen streets was filed with the city clerk Tuesday and will likely be discussed next week by the Council.

"Based on the reports provided by our traffic and engineering consultants, we believe these improvements to city roadways and lands are necessary for us to fully build out our $125 million project and maximize the development around the Buffalo Creek Territory," Snyder wrote.

Seneca Niagara spokesman Philip J. Pantano said the city must weigh the major investment that is being made in a part of Buffalo that hasn't seen this scale of investment before. The Seneca Nation is willing to pay for all design work associated with the road improvements, a cost that could approach $800,000. In addition, the tribe said it would be willing to foot the $720,000 tab for some work if the city is willing to abandon a portion of Fulton Street to the Seneca Nation.

"We are proceeding with our design plans and would appreciate a prompt answer so we can truly determine the type of project we build in Buffalo," Snyder wrote.

Public Works Commissioner Joseph N. Giambra said he will likely include the projects in his capital budget request, but it will be up to Mayor Byron W. Brown and the Council to decide if the city will fund the improvements.


e-mail: bmeyer@buffnews.com

***

What I would tell the state: It's your revenue flow, not ours. Either change the profit-sharing formulation, or pay for it yourself! Personally I think they should owe the affected communities (Buffalo in this case) restitution for permanently removing land from the tax rolls and replacing it with a contract to contract revenue sharing agreement.

Benderson Development is planning a 'lifestyle center' for 30 acres recently purchased from the Buffalo Shooting Club on Maple Road in Amherst. Preliminary plans call for a mix of office, retail and residential space.

Well, there goes our retail virginity going out the window forever, so to speak. Just had to guess it would pop up in Amherst, huh? Now instead of driving to the Boulevard or Eastern Hills Malls and being forced to get out of their SUVs and walk store-to-store, now they can drive from store-to-store! We need that like our local economy needs GM and Ford to fold. Oh wait, that'll happen with 20 years as well (better get cracking on pre-emptively replacing those jobs). I guess I need a better analogy...

...In other words, a fancy strip mall.
That's one way of putting it. I like to call it a sterile, faux-downtown environment for afrophobic yuppies to go and buy their Prada purses and Gucci loafers before moving onto their next abomination.

Wait'll it opens, and just sit in one of the central "park" areas, and watch the people driving around, if your lungs can handle the fumes. It's quite entertaining, really. I know, because I have witnessed this myself.

Benderson Development is planning a 'lifestyle center' for 30 acres recently purchased from the Buffalo Shooting Club on Maple Road in Amherst. Preliminary plans call for a mix of office, retail and residential space.

Lifestyle centers are one of the biggest trends in retailing today. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers,a lifestyle center is most often located near affluent residential neighborhoods, and caters to the retail needs and "lifestyle" pursuits of consumers in its trading area. It has an open-air configuration and typically includes 150,000 to 500,000 square feet of retail space occupied by upscale national chain specialty stores. Other elements differentiate the lifestyle center in its role as a multi-purpose leisure-time destination including restaurants, entertainment, and amenities such as fountains and parks. Many are designed as a 'Main Street' with nostalgic building facades, including residences above stores, office space and even hotels. In other words, a fancy strip mall.
Benderson has purchased the property on the north side of Maple Road between North Forest and Millersport Highway near the University at Buffalo's Amherst campus for $3 million.

Nothing like acknowledging a source! :bash:

Buffalo-Niagara Falls: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has increased by 1,400, or 0.3 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has increased by 1,900, or 0.4 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in February 2006, compared with 6.1 in February 2005. Factory employment during the year was down 3.6% and non factory employment was up .8%

In addition the Buffalo labor market has increased by 4,200 since February 2005. Revised State data for 2005 shows that the Buffalo CMSA had 1,800 more jobs in 2005 than in pre-recession 2000 (595,700 employed in 2005 vs 593,900 in 2000. Thus all of the jobs lost during the post 911 recession have been regained.

Rochester: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has decreased by 6,100, or 1.2 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has decreased by 6,600, or 1.6 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in February 2006, compared with 5.4 in February 2005. Both factory and non factory employment were down during the year, by 7.1% and .3% respectively.

In addition the Rochester labor market has decreased by 4,400 since February 2005. Revised State data for 2005 shows that the Rochester CMSA still had 5,100 fewer jobs in 2005 than in pre-recession 2000 (557,200 employed in 2005 vs 562,300 in 2000.) Thus not all of the jobs lost during the post 911 recession have yet been regained

Syracuse: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has increased by 5,000, or 1.6 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has increased by 4,400, or 1.7 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in February 2006, compared with 5.8 in February 2005

Nothing like acknowledging a source! :bash:
it was on buffalo rising this morning. thats where i saw it anyway.

Further proof the Senecas have Buffalo by the balls. Not good.

***
Senecas seek casino area improvements
***

What I would tell the state: It's your revenue flow, not ours. Either change the profit-sharing formulation, or pay for it yourself! Personally I think they should owe the affected communities (Buffalo in this case) restitution for permanently removing land from the tax rolls and replacing it with a contract to contract revenue sharing agreement.
There's a silver lining to this. As long as the Senecas need something from the city, then we hold some leverage because this is the ONLY part of this whole contract where the city can just say No without being pre-empted by Albany.

Up until this point Buffalo has had no real voice. We're getting rolled over by Albany and the Senecas. Now the Senecas want new infrastructure around their site and guess who they need permission from? Buffalo. Not Albany.

In the end I think Albany will end up funding it, but Buffalo still needs to give it the OK first.

Of course ideally this should be funded by the Indians themselves -- All the Pro-Casino people brag about how the whole project if Privately funded. Well looky here... $6 million coming out of NY tax payer's pockets!

We should all try to do a better job of posting the URL to sources of articles.

:)

Buffalo-Niagara Falls: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has increased by 1,400, or 0.3 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has increased by 1,900, or 0.4 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in February 2006, compared with 6.1 in February 2005. Factory employment during the year was down 3.6% and non factory employment was up .8%

In addition the Buffalo labor market has increased by 4,200 since February 2005. Revised State data for 2005 shows that the Buffalo CMSA had 1,800 more jobs in 2005 than in pre-recession 2000 (595,700 employed in 2005 vs 593,900 in 2000. Thus all of the jobs lost during the post 911 recession have been regained.

Rochester: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has decreased by 6,100, or 1.2 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has decreased by 6,600, or 1.6 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in February 2006, compared with 5.4 in February 2005. Both factory and non factory employment were down during the year, by 7.1% and .3% respectively.

In addition the Rochester labor market has decreased by 4,400 since February 2005. Revised State data for 2005 shows that the Rochester CMSA still had 5,100 fewer jobs in 2005 than in pre-recession 2000 (557,200 employed in 2005 vs 562,300 in 2000.) Thus not all of the jobs lost during the post 911 recession have yet been regained

Syracuse: Since February 2005, the number of jobs has increased by 5,000, or 1.6 percent, and the number of private sector jobs has increased by 4,400, or 1.7 percent. The area's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in February 2006, compared with 5.8 in February 2005


donbuy, good news but where is the source?

We should all try to do a better job of posting the URL to sources of articles.

:)

agreed.

Wouldn't it be assumed that any news to do with Buffalo development would be from BR though?

;)

donbuy, good news but where is the source?
All of the data can be found by going through several pages of the New York State Department of Labor website. It took me about an hour to gather it all up but I do it as a part of my job. I do not have the link for them here at home but if you are really interested you can do a google search. Some of the paragraphs come from their press release today and will be in your local papers tomorrow, though I am sure the Buffalo News will omit the part about all of the 911 job losses having been recovered. To get that data you have to actually look at all the data in the employment and unemployment areas of the site. The news will only use the spoon fed press release data. It's easier for them that way.

it was on buffalo rising this morning. thats where i saw it anyway.

ecoasttransplant = westcoastperspective

:wave:

ecoasttransplant = westcoastperspective

:wave:

hahaha now that you say that i can see it. :) much respect.

veryprotourism=veryprotourism

you know i should just post on BR as "way too econo-libertarian/pro business conservative"

There's a silver lining to this. As long as the Senecas need something from the city, then we hold some leverage because this is the ONLY part of this whole contract where the city can just say No without being pre-empted by Albany.

Up until this point Buffalo has had no real voice. We're getting rolled over by Albany and the Senecas. Now the Senecas want new infrastructure around their site and guess who they need permission from? Buffalo. Not Albany.

In the end I think Albany will end up funding it, but Buffalo still needs to give it the OK first.

Of course ideally this should be funded by the Indians themselves -- All the Pro-Casino people brag about how the whole project if Privately funded. Well looky here... $6 million coming out of NY tax payer's pockets!

Don't worry about the city rolling over and just giving the Senecas what they want. I personally know the councilman who is heavily involved with this, and he is going to get as much as he can out of them before he approves any improvements around the casino. This is about the only leverage the city has with the Senecas, infrastructure and allowing them to build a overhead walkway over Fulton Street to connect the casino and garage (which the council won't approve until they see a site plan).

What I think we should do, and what I would assume would really piss the Senecas off, would be to redo the streets around the Casino in cobblestones since it is the Cobblestone District. It would look nice for us, and would piss off any visitors to the casino since you really can't drive over 10mph on one of those streets! :lol:

Pro- I recognized your name from the other site.

Don't get me started on the improvements the folks in the sovereign nation want us to pay for... Neither the State nor the City should bend over for them. Funny how the roads work for HSBC arena, but not a casino?

^ yeah well you guys can blame me for this one. I'm the one that gave the Senecas all those recommendations, and apparently they want them all. I assumed that they would pay for them, that's usually what happens, the clients pay for all the improvements associated with their development.

They're going to want to re-pave all the streets around where the casino will be. And those streets are actually quite horrible...Chicago Street and Marvin Street especially. They are going to also require 5 or 6 Buffalo cops to direct traffic at a bunch of intersections after Sabres games, concerts, and any other big event at HSBC Arena.

donbuy, good news but where is the source? That exact article, word for word came from Bizjournals this morning.

That exact article, word for word came from Bizjournals this morning.

yeah i noticed that later.

^ yeah well you guys can blame me for this one. I'm the one that gave the Senecas all those recommendations, and apparently they want them all. I assumed that they would pay for them, that's usually what happens, the clients pay for all the improvements associated with their development.

They're going to want to re-pave all the streets around where the casino will be. And those streets are actually quite horrible...Chicago Street and Marvin Street especially. They are going to also require 5 or 6 Buffalo cops to direct traffic at a bunch of intersections after Sabres games, concerts, and any other big event at HSBC Arena.
I hope the city can get the state to give it more of the slots cut... but I won't hold my breath.

Are they looking to remove any of the existing cobblestone? I bet that would tick-off a lot o people.

What else can you (allowed to...) tell us about the project? Designs...Timetable...Grain Elevators... Please? Pretty Please?

...Funny how the roads work for HSBC arena, but not a casino?
Well come on - people from all over the world...check that...Cheektowaga...are going to be flocking to this tourist mecca and patronizing all the downtown business establishments. So it's understandable that we need improvements.

Oh, wait. Only the roads around the casino need to be re-done, that's right. Because nowhere else is going to need road improvements because they're not going to be seeing any traffic increases as a result of the casino.

The best justice would be for the casino to flop, as I wholely believe it could. However, I believe the at-large population is far too stupid to allow that to happen, they are Americans after all.

That exact article, word for word came from Bizjournals this morning.
Actually no, my post was not from bizjournals.com because:1) it is not word for word and 2) my post has far more detail which I could not have possibly gathered in the 6 minute time difference between their post and mine. My post, as was theirs, is based upon the NYS DOL press release. However they did a lazy copy and paste of the PR, while my post attempts to flesh out the story with additional data.

From the Buffalo News www.buffalo.com

For those of you that need to be spoon fed, perhaps a lesson in google is in order :gaah: .

Office building nears go-ahead from Council



A long-stalled plan for an 11-story office tower on Court Street was expected to win Common Council approval Tuesday.
After meeting with the developer Wednesday, lawmakers expressed support for the project at 50 Court St. The 335,000-square-foot building would cost $40 million to $45 million. Construction is likely begin in the fall, with completion expected in 2008.

At least seven Council members have committed to supporting the project in the vote to be taken Tuesday after a 2 p.m. public hearing.

Richard M. Tobe, Buffalo's economic development chief, helped broker a compromise between the city and the 1097 Group, an entity owned by Carl P. Paladino. Tobe urged lawmakers to approve the revised contract under which Paladino would pay $700,000 for the city-owned site. Tobe said the complex would be the first large-scale downtown project of its kind in a generation.

But the leasing director for a major downtown landlord urged the Council to delay the vote until Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps releases an updated parking study. Eric S.P. Lefebvre of the Main Place-
Liberty Group, which offered $1.25 million for the site to build a 600-vehicle parking ramp, said downtown clearly has a parking problem.

"How can they make this kind of decision on parking without knowing what the study is going to say?" Lefebvre asked.

South Council Member Michael P. Kearns said he doesn't need to see a new study before casting his vote.

"Downtown doesn't need more parking," he said.

Buffalo Place is providing technical support for the study. Debra Chernoff, the group's manager of planning, said the report is expected to be completed next month. She stressed that Buffalo Place has not taken a position on the office project, the focus of periodic debate for 18 years.

Mayor Byron W. Brown supported the $700,000 selling price only after the developer agreed to eliminate a potential rebate of $150,000 in the purchase price if underground obstructions were found. Brown also pushed for a new policy that forces the developer to meet specific deadlines for submitting construction plans, applying for permits and disclosing financing.

Brown said he was pleased the Council is ready to approve the plan.

"It's a good project, and this is a new model for establishing development agreements," he said.

Paul Gregory, who represents the developer, told the Council's Community Development Committee that while some tenants likely will already be leasing downtown office space, he anticipated landing tenants now located in the suburbs or even outside the area.

How come none of you guys are on top of that Sodexho project on the east side? Check out Buffalo Rising. Great project.

finally some air on the Maguire Building.

I think we noticed that there is no need for a new Ramp there on Court street, I mean if you are gonna build a ramp have it facing a street which is not as significant as Court.

Main Liberty should cut that mall out, give the main street side a new look with mixed use and varied facade styles, and along the back side...parking in a ramp...there is an idea.

Office building nears go-ahead from Council
From the same article...
http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2006/03/30/actualsize/0330bldgpkg2.jpg
Doesn't look too bad, actually from that angle it reminds me of NFNY's "flashcube". I'd like to see a better angle, though.

I love the Maguire Building rendering. That block will look so much more completed when it's there. Right now, it looks like it's missing a tooth.

More good news. I just drove by the HealthNow (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) construction site on the I-190N on my way home for lunch. It looks like they're beginning to assemble the crane, which will be used to put the steel structure in place. You can check out the progress with the live webcam at this link: http://www.dukeconstructiononline.com/bcbswnycam.aspx

It's really cool.

^^ There's a steel frame assembled for one of the newer buildings along the Union Ship Canal off Fuhrmann Blvd. Can't remember the name, but I remember reading about it. It was funny because the day I first noticed it, it was one of those "well that wasn't there yesterday!" sort of things.

I saw that building too last Sunday afternoon. It's in an industrial park, right? I was taking a Sunday drive down to that restaurant called "Route 5" right on the waterfront. There's a really good view of the skyline from across Lake Erie from that place, by the way, for any of you photographers. And the food is very good and budget friendly.

Also, that webcam for the Blue Cross construction site can also be used to view the progress of the Waterfront Elementary School addition. At least, I think that's what it is. Am I wrong?

From Business First of Buffalo - 1:19 PM EST Thursday
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/03/27/daily37.html?surround=lfn

Former Curtiss Wright plant to get $22M makeover

A Buffalo developer is poised to renovate an East Side site once home to the Curtiss Wright manufacturing plant.

Centerstone Development Thursday unveiled a $22 million development project with Sodexho Inc. serving as the anchor tenant of the site, which has been dubbed "Wright Place."

"We believe this type of private sector collaboration and investment is key to revitalizing the City of Buffalo," said John Giardino, CEO, Centerstone Development.

According to Centerstone, Sodexho, based in Gaithersburg, Md., will construct a linen processing plant, which will create approximately 160 jobs.

The plant will serve hospitals and hospital systems throughout Western New York, from Dunkirk to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Those facilities include Brooks Memorial Hospital, the Catholic Health System of Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center Corporation, Kaleida Health, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and TLC Health Network, through an agreement with the Western New York Purchasing Alliance LLC, a regional purchasing organization owned by these member hospital organizations.

Pro- I recognized your name from the other site.


im not always as much of a prick as i come off as on BR.
i've also had my name misrepresented on an occasion or two.
BR is a fantastic site. the reader comments however are just like any other public forum. lots of people with lots of opinions hating on lots of other peoples opinions.
no biggie, dialogue is a good thing.

From Business First of Buffalo - 1:19 PM EST Thursday
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/03/27/daily37.html?surround=lfn

Former Curtiss Wright plant to get $22M makeover

A Buffalo developer is poised to renovate an East Side site once home to the Curtiss Wright manufacturing plant.

Centerstone Development Thursday unveiled a $22 million development project with Sodexho Inc. serving as the anchor tenant of the site, which has been dubbed "Wright Place."

"We believe this type of private sector collaboration and investment is key to revitalizing the City of Buffalo," said John Giardino, CEO, Centerstone Development.

According to Centerstone, Sodexho, based in Gaithersburg, Md., will construct a linen processing plant, which will create approximately 160 jobs.

The plant will serve hospitals and hospital systems throughout Western New York, from Dunkirk to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Those facilities include Brooks Memorial Hospital, the Catholic Health System of Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center Corporation, Kaleida Health, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and TLC Health Network, through an agreement with the Western New York Purchasing Alliance LLC, a regional purchasing organization owned by these member hospital organizations.


Buffalo Rising has a picture of the building

Also that Heallth now camera is pretty cool. You can swing it around 360 degrees and look at downtown. It is on the roof of city hall

Are they looking to remove any of the existing cobblestone? I bet that would tick-off a lot o people.

What else can you (allowed to...) tell us about the project? Designs...Timetable...Grain Elevators... Please? Pretty Please?

No they aren't looking to do anything with the cobblestone roads, they don't own any of that land, and as far as i know they aren't looking to get any of that land. I haven't seen any designs or timetables at all or heard anything else since early January. I guess the status right now is that they are considering some designs from different firms around the country. I don't have any designs and I haven't seen any, just some cheesy general drawings from last November or December.

Traffic stuff:

All I know is that they (or someone...city or state) are going to be repaving all the bad roads around where the casino will be, put some cops out before/after sabres games to control traffic, possibly put up some electronic billboards on the 190, coordinate all the traffic signals (and possibly repave) all of Michigan Avenue, reconfigure some lanes and some intersections, put up some signs all over the place, eliminate on street parking over near the Perry Projects, and possibly add an off ramp to the 190 at Chicago Street so that you can totally bypass anything in the city and go right into the mouth of the casino.

This is a quote from the report I wrote:

"The first floor will contain approximately 100,000 gross square feet of gaming space with 2,200 slot machines and 50 gaming tables. The second floor will contain approximately 100,000 gross square feet of ancillary retail, buffet, dining and night club space. The third floor will have approximately 100,000 square feet of administrative space. There is also the possibility that a 250-room all suite hotel will be developed on the casino site in the future. "

This is a quote from the report I wrote:

"The first floor will contain approximately 100,000 gross square feet of gaming space with 2,200 slot machines and 50 gaming tables. The second floor will contain approximately 100,000 gross square feet of ancillary retail, buffet, dining and night club space. The third floor will have approximately 100,000 square feet of administrative space. There is also the possibility that a 250-room all suite hotel will be developed on the casino site in the future. "

100k of admin space? Must be a lot of money counters. :2cents:

and possibly add an off ramp to the 190 at Chicago Street so that you can totally bypass anything in the city and go right into the mouth of the casino.
Has the city taken a position (for or against) about adding a new off-ramp?

Thanks for the info.

Has the city taken a position (for or against) about adding a new off-ramp?

Thanks for the info.

I would doubt they would be in favor of it. The same thing was quietly proposed for the BCBS building so that employees could drive right into the parking ramp from the I-190, that got killed right off the bat.

Has the city taken a position (for or against) about adding a new off-ramp?

Thanks for the info.

I haven't really heard any position from the city on that subject. All I know is that the Senecas were somewhat pressing us to recommend that, however we did not recommend that because there are on/off ramps to the 190 a block or two down in each direction. And we weren't really sure if there would be enough room to create another "clover" in downtown.

I haven't really heard any position from the city on that subject. All I know is that the Senecas were somewhat pressing us to recommend that, however we did not recommend that because there are on/off ramps to the 190 a block or two down in each direction. And we weren't really sure if there would be enough room to create another "clover" in downtown.


Or how 'bout this...It would be a stupid and destructive thing to do!

100k of admin space? Must be a lot of money counters. :2cents:
Thus lots of new fairly well paying jobs. Awesome!!!!

Thus lots of new fairly well paying jobs. Awesome!!!!
Oh, yeah. And surely they will be paid for by casino revenue, of which 95% will likely come from our (though not my) pockets. Real good deal.

You apparently are not in favor of Casino's, I am. I have seen the increase in total Niagara County employment since the Seneca casino opened. My wife works in real estate and has sold two home in the last year to casino employees that moved to Niagara County, one from Erie and one from Cattaraugus. It's telling that total employment in both Niagara and Cattaraugus counties is up over the last two years but for Erie County (with no dreaded Casino) employment is down. Simply put your anti casino arguments are wrong.

We missed this bit of news from Business First of Buffalo, last week, March 23, 2006.

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/03/20/daily42.html?surround=lfn

Heritage Centers plotting new facility

Heritage Centers has begun a process it hopes will lead to the construction of a $10 million educational facility for disabled children in the downtown area - possibly on the waterfront.

The nonprofit agency hopes to consolidate programs currently offered at two primary sites at the Washington School in the Village of Kenmore and the continuing education building in Maryvale. About 220 pre-school and school-aged children from school districts throughout the region are currently being served.

The project, which will require about six acres, would provide first-floor classrooms for the largely non-ambulatory student population as well as new administrative offices, which would move from Heritage Centers' Oak Street site.

Michael Gross, executive director of the agency, said the goal is to have the new school open in four years.

You apparently are not in favor of Casino's, I am. I have seen the increase in total Niagara County employment since the Seneca casino opened. My wife works in real estate and has sold two home in the last year to casino employees that moved to Niagara County, one from Erie and one from Cattaraugus. It's telling that total employment in both Niagara and Cattaraugus counties is up over the last two years but for Erie County (with no dreaded Casino) employment is down. Simply put your anti casino arguments are wrong.
You'll note that your argument implies just a re-circulation of jobs and money within the region. That will solve absolutely none of our problems. Just more money going to Albany is all.

Meanwhile, downtown NFNY is alive and well. Last Saturday (late morning), while the Canadian side was packed, NFNY was deader than at-large Buffalo on a weekday night. Some benefits. Even the casino looked dead.

You'll note that your argument implies just a re-circulation of jobs and money within the region. That will solve absolutely none of our problems. Just more money going to Albany is all.

Meanwhile, downtown NFNY is alive and well. Last Saturday (late morning), while the Canadian side was packed, NFNY was deader than at-large Buffalo on a weekday night. Some benefits. Even the casino looked dead.
NF NY Dead compared to NF Canada - Yes. Compared to NF NY 5 years ago a great big NO.

I don't think you can call it a recirculation of jobs when the total county employment is up to 105,400 in Feb 2005 compared to 102,900 in Feb 2002. That's a 2.4% increase in total Niagara County employment. And that does not even include all of the additional hotel workers added this month as the hotel becomes fully operational. To say those jobs were shifted from Erie county is just silly. Erie County is losing jobs and people because of sorely mismanaged local governments., not because of a Casino in Niagara County.

We missed this bit of news from Business First of Buffalo, last week, March 23, 2006.

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/03/20/daily42.html?surround=lfn

Heritage Centers plotting new facility

Heritage Centers has begun a process it hopes will lead to the construction of a $10 million educational facility for disabled children in the downtown area - possibly on the waterfront.

The nonprofit agency hopes to consolidate programs currently offered at two primary sites at the Washington School in the Village of Kenmore and the continuing education building in Maryvale. About 220 pre-school and school-aged children from school districts throughout the region are currently being served.

The project, which will require about six acres, would provide first-floor classrooms for the largely non-ambulatory student population as well as new administrative offices, which would move from Heritage Centers' Oak Street site.

Michael Gross, executive director of the agency, said the goal is to have the new school open in four years.


6acres. Uhg! Sounds kind of suburban.

(AP-Detroit, Michigan, March 31, 2006) - - Auto parts supplier Delphi Corp. said it will ask a federal bankruptcy court on Friday to void its labor contracts as part of a controversial restructuring that calls for layoffs of up to 8,500 salaried workers and the sale or closure of 21 of its 29 U.S. plants.

Delphi, the largest U.S. auto supplier, is filing a separate motion asking the court to reject some unprofitable contracts with GM. Delphi also said it will freeze its hourly and salaried pension programs later this year and move employees into a defined-contribution plan.

Troy-based Delphi filed for bankruptcy in October. The company said it intends to emerge from bankruptcy during the first half of 2007. Delphi said it wants to exit certain product lines and sell or close noncore plants by 2008.

Delphi's motion to void its labor contracts was widely expected; the company had delayed similar motions three times before. The company says it was saddled with uncompetitive labor agreements when it was spun off from GM in 1999 and wants to cut the wages of its 34,000 U.S. hourly workers as part of its restructuring.

Delphi said it also plans to cut 25 percent of its salaried work force, or around 8,500 workers, including up to 40 percent of its corporate officers. Delphi said that measure should save $450 million per year.

The company has identified eight U.S. plants that are considered critical to its U.S. operations. They are located in Brookhaven, Miss; Clinton, Miss.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Kokomo, Ind.; Lockport, N.Y.; Rochester, N.Y.; Warren, Ohio; and Vandalia, Ohio. Delphi said those plants will focus on product lines such as safety features, electronics, diesel and gas powertrains and climate control products.

Twenty-one other plants that do not make core products -- including those that make brakes and chassis, instrument panels, door modules and steering components -- will be sold or closed. Delphi said it will provide further details on those plants in its filing, but they include plants in Dayton, Ohio, Saginaw and Flint.

"We believe many of these product lines have the potential to compete successfully under new ownership that has the resources and capital to invest in them," Delphi President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney O'Neal said in a statement.

Delphi said it will ask the court to reject unprofitable contracts with GM. The initial motion covers around half of Delphi's annual volume with GM. Delphi said the judge is expected to consider the motion on May 12, which gives both companies time to continue negotiating prices.

"We simply cannot continue to sell products at a loss," Miller said.

In addition, Delphi sent a letter to GM Friday that will begin the process of resetting terms for more than 425 commercial agreements that have expired since Delphi filed for bankruptcy. Those terms will be negotiated outside of bankruptcy court.

Delphi also said it will freeze pension benefits for hourly workers on Oct. 1 and for salaried workers on Jan. 1 and will replace them with plans that require employee contributions with company matches. Workers will still have access to any accrued benefits.

The company may ask for relief from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., the Internal Revenue Service and possibly Congress so that when it emerges from bankruptcy protection it won't immediately owe billions of dollars to its underfunded pension plan. The company expects it will take at least six years to fully fund its pension plan.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN (AP Auto Writer)

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

NF NY Dead compared to NF Canada - Yes. Compared to NF NY 5 years ago a great big NO.

I don't think you can call it a recirculation of jobs when the total county employment is up to 105,400 in Feb 2005 compared to 102,900 in Feb 2002. That's a 2.4% increase in total Niagara County employment. And that does not even include all of the additional hotel workers added this month as the hotel becomes fully operational. To say those jobs were shifted from Erie county is just silly. Erie County is losing jobs and people because of sorely mismanaged local governments., not because of a Casino in Niagara County.

im gonna back you up on this one jerome.
the only city in america with casinos that has seen a net loss of jobs or a net drop in income since their casinos have opened is detroit. their job losses are likely due to other areas of their economy struggling, not the casinos.

that said i really wish these casinos were operated by a taxable entity and not the seneca nation. the big difference between our casinos and those of other areas is that in other cities they have generated millions in tax dollars while here we will get the drippings from the slot profits. and that money will be handed out by albany as they see fit.

...Erie County is losing jobs and people because of sorely mismanaged local governments., not because of a Casino in Niagara County.
I didn't say it was. In fact I mentioned nothing about jobs, besides the fact that they'll be paid by locals' gambling losses. At least NFNY can hope to pay a shred of it with tourist $$$.

Residents moving within the counties of WNY is recirculation, any way you look at it.

And as for NFON being a tourism powerhouse, let's rewind 10-15 years. I don't think casinos were the driving force behind their resurgence. Rather the end of turf wars and consolidation of local leadership to produce a unified vision.

***

Regarding Delphi, I love unions. Instead of taking a pay cut, let's strike and lose our jobs altogether! (I know it's more complicated than that, but that's what it boils down to.)

that said i really wish these casinos were operated by a taxable entity and not the seneca nation. the big difference between our casinos and those of other areas is that in other cities they have generated millions in tax dollars while here we will get the drippings from the slot profits. and that money will be handed out by albany as they see fit.
I see your point but I think it depends on how you look at it. The State takes a percent of the profit so in essence the Casino is paying a tax. Tax or share of the profit either way the money still goes to Albany and they still spend as they see fit. The local share of slot revenue still far exceeds what the property generated in the past. Zero dollars from the convention center. There has been no increase in the crime rate in NF due to the casino.

The Seneca benefit as I see it is that they ARE local. They live here and reinvest the profits here in a way that a Balley's or Trump never would. All of their profits stay with the Seneca's in WNY. I happen to think that is much preferable than having an outside compay take the profits and back office jobs to another state. I also thingk it is preferable to having the State run the casino and sending the profits back to Albany, as they currently do with the Niagara State Park revenues. I guess I feel that the Seneca's are more honorable than our leaders in Albany.

...I guess I feel that the Seneca's are more honorable than our leaders in Albany.
Now that's something I can agree with.

Even some Taliban or Baath party members are more honorable, IMO.

no matter what we disagree on, we all agree to disagree with albany.

jerome raises some good points about the senecas being local. they will buy services and products from local companies that are not part of the seneca nation. they are investing in a world class golf course in lewiston that will remain on the tax rolls and not become sovereign seneca land. they are in alot of ways local.
they are probably more concerned with buffalo's future than our officials in albany or the 12 million people who live downstate. we just can't let them dupe us into paying for shit we don't have to.

The State takes a percent of the profit so in essence the Casino is paying a tax. Tax or share of the profit either way the money still goes to Albany and they still spend as they see fit. The local share of slot revenue still far exceeds what the property generated in the past.
Is slot revenue guaranteed indefinitely? Or does the agreement with Albany only cover a certain number of years?

I thought the whole payment thing changes at some year in the near future.

The company has identified eight U.S. plants that are considered critical to its U.S. operations. They are located in Brookhaven, Miss; Clinton, Miss.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Kokomo, Ind.; Lockport, N.Y.; Rochester, N.Y.; Warren, Ohio; and Vandalia, Ohio. Delphi said those plants will focus on product lines such as safety features, electronics, diesel and gas powertrains and climate control products.

Twenty-one other plants that do not make core products -- including those that make brakes and chassis, instrument panels, door modules and steering components -- will be sold or closed.
Good news for WNY.

How's this for our waterfront? From today's Buffalo News...
http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20060331/1029918.asp

Laying of historic stone signals start of Commercial Slip rebirth
Area could be open to boaters by summer

By MARK SOMMER
News Staff Reporter
3/31/2006

Workers put one of the original stones back in the wall of the old Commercial Slip on Thursday. The project will use 350 original stones, along with an additional 250 obtained regionally.

The reconstruction of the walls of Erie Canal Harbor's historic Commercial Slip - which could open to boaters as early as this summer - began Thursday.
With a ceremonial assembly of politicians on hand, an excavator deposited an original limestone onto the slip's west wall, sending the historic project toward an October 2007 completion date.

The two walls will use 350 original stones, along with an additional 250 obtained regionally. The original stones will be identified with a bronze medallion.

"I never thought we'd be standing here today in the middle of what is going to be the re-watered Commercial Slip, watching the stones put in place as part of this replication," said County Executive Joel A. Giambra. "The authenticity is what's going to bring tourists here and families here to see this."

Giambra intervened on behalf of preservationists six years ago, helping persuade Gov. George E. Pataki to change the course of the project by putting greater emphasis on the historic significance of the Erie Canal.

Thomas D. Blanchard Jr., Empire State Development Corp.'s director of research and planning and the project's overseer, said the mild winter allowed the project to move slightly ahead of schedule as it enters prime construction season.

"You should be able to bring your boat in here by the end of this summer," he said, adding that while there will be no permanent docking or storage facilities, it will be possible to temporarily moor a boat there.

A bridge across the slip will be in place in spring 2007, about the same time work at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park is done. Mayor Byron W. Brown heralded the day's events, seeing them as a sign of good things to come.

e-mail: msommer@buffnews.com

...Also, did anyone see that rendering of the building that's being constructed for the new museum down on the waterfront? I think it was for the Naval Park and military museum, not for the Erie Canal, but I'm surprised no one posted it here. It looked pretty cool.

wait, so they are actually ahead of schedule on something?
buffalo really is moving forward.

Good news for WNY.

I agree, but when I posted the article in the Rochester thread.... others didn't. Buffalo certainly is gaining momentum and it's great to see. Oh and about the Casinos.... I agree with Sargeantcm. They bring crime and little economic development in the end, unless you count the money going in to Albany from them.

Is slot revenue guaranteed indefinitely? Or does the agreement with Albany only cover a certain number of years?

I thought the whole payment thing changes at some year in the near future.
I think you are right about the slot revenue. I believe it was for somewhere in the 18-25 year length. But after that the compact must be revisited, the Seneca's are not simply allowed to keep all of the revenues. They must renegotiate or lose the ability to have the slots.

I agree, but when I posted the article in the Rochester thread.... others didn't. Buffalo certainly is gaining momentum and it's great to see.
Why do people in rochester say it's a bad thing for WNY?

I know the big picture with GM/Delphi/UAW is still cloudy, but we just dodged a huge bullet here... over 6,000 WNY jobs altogether could have been lost.

Is slot revenue guaranteed indefinitely? Or does the agreement with Albany only cover a certain number of years?

I thought the whole payment thing changes at some year in the near future.
I read somewhere, that in the case of the Niagara Falls casino, the revenue sharing was a termed agreement, either 15 or 20 years. After that, it was not a requirement to renegotiate a new agreement, rather a mutual consensus to negotiate a new agreement.

All that means is after 15 or 20 years, Albany is going to need to mortgage some other piece of our future to continue their cash flow.

I'm going to try to find that article...
...found it, next post...

Here it is: Dated, as it talks about a Cheektowaga casino (which, frankly, I would rather have now), but most of the article is still valid.

BENEFITS OF A CASINO ARE PURE ILLUSION
Mary Bartley - Business First, April 16, 2004

Well, it looks like Dennis Gabryszak has won the casino. What a prize! Like Tony Masiello, he believes it will bring jobs, business growth and an influx of cash - a belief based in wishful thinking, rather than rational business analysis.

First, let's examine the jobs claim. Masiello claims a casino will bring 2500 good paying jobs. But a recent analysis in the Niagara Falls Reporter reveals that most casino jobs pay $4.35 an hour plus tips. Many are part time, with no benefits. And only 200 of those jobs went to local residents!

Next, let's look at business development. Drive around downtown Niagara Falls. See a thriving business area? That's because casinos aren't designed to encourage people to explore the surrounding area. The casino is windowless, with a long walkway from entrance to street. The buffet is good, and cheap. And, as a sovereign nation, the Senecas aren't subject to the state's smoking prohibitions, so it's a great place for smokers to eat and drink. The completed complex will include a hotel, recreation complex, restaurants and covered parking leading directly into the casino - all designed to keep visitors on Seneca territory.

But what about the revenues? Again, look at the Niagara Falls experience. The allocation of the city's $9.5 million share was determined by a commission established by the state. Five million dollars was allocated to projects such as the Niagara Falls Airport and the Third Street Entertainment District - projects initiated by the state. In other words, the state is using casino revenue to fund projects that would otherwise have been part of the state budget! Meanwhile, property has been permanently taken off the tax rolls, and sales on the reservation are tax free.

The Buffalo News reported on April 12 that Mr. Gabryszak “did not know precisely how much in property taxes Uniland pays (on the property the Senecas want to buy). But he said it would be nowhere near what the town could stand to gain from its share of the casino's revenues.” Granted, the math here is a little tricky (multiply the yearly property taxes times infinity, since the property is off the tax rolls forever), but at least Mr. Gabryszak could have called over to his tax department to find out the current taxes on the parcel in question. He might also want to take into account that the compact explicitly provides for the Senecas to acquire additional land near the casino for low income Seneca housing, which will also be reservation land, forever removed from Cheektowaga's tax rolls.

But it gets worse. The compact, signed in 2002, allows for sharing slot revenues for the first 14 years of the compact. So, in 2016 the revenue stream dries up. The compact allows for renegotiating for another limited period, but what concessions will the state have to make in exchange for continuing revenue? And there's a non-compete clause: if the state allows any other slots in the area, the Senecas are off the hook with regard to profit-sharing. If, as proposed, the state authorizes VLT parlors, the local share could be zero.

So Mr. Gabyszak and Mr. Masiello should reassess their support for a gambling casino. Sure, it's tough to turn things around in one of the poorest areas of the country. But a casino is no silver bullet, and it could just be the bullet that kills our area's future.

***

I think the first sentence I bolded will have set the precedent for where "Buffalo's" roadway/infrastructure improvements will come from.

The second one is downright scary.

Why do people in rochester say it's a bad thing for WNY?

I know the big picture with GM/Delphi/UAW is still cloudy, but we just dodged a huge bullet here... over 6,000 WNY jobs altogether could have been lost.

Well, when I say "others" I should really say "othER" because it was really only one person who totally shot it down. And well, she shoots everything down and believes that pretty much any news in Rochester is bad news.

Well, when I say "others" I should really say "othER" because it was really only one person who totally shot it down. And well, she shoots everything down and believes that pretty much any news in Rochester is bad news.
yeah, thats certainly the truth.
i personally think its good news.

The compact, signed in 2002, allows for sharing slot revenues for the first 14 years of the compact. So, in 2016 the revenue stream dries up.
This is disgusting. They sold us down the river for 16 years of income.

Income that is coming from our own residents anyway.


:mad2:

Well that particular instance is Niagara Falls. How it differs from Buffalo, I don't know. Probably not too greatly, though. Or is that referring to the statewide compact, or is it something to be negotiated separately on a casino-by-casino basis?

I'd like to read the actual compact or whatever it's called. You know, to see past the attitudes of both the pro and con camps. Although legal documents are always open to alot of interpretation, so maybe I wouldn't gain too much reading it. But still... It's a contract about state business (underhanded as it may be), but it still should be available to the public in some form.

I just read it again, and this line stuck out at me:
Sure, it's tough to turn things around in one of the poorest areas of the country.
Beat Spitzer to it! Notice it's only seen as an insult by partisan politicians when the opposition says it. Man, isn't our system wonderful?

Beat Spitzer to it! Notice it's only seen as an insult by partisan politicians when the opposition says it. Man, isn't our system wonderful?

Yeah I don't see how anyone can take that as an insult...he wasn't calling us Appalachia like we're hicks or something, it was merely someone finally pointing out that our economy is on par with Appalachia, instead of masking it over and claiming everything is ok and that millions of jobs are being created upstate.

Off Main Street

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The offbeat side of the news

4/1/2006

http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2006/04/01/0401satishcolor.jpg
But what if the "Got Satish" slogan doesn't catch on? Byrd has a fallback: "Satish: Not your father's politician."


Appalachian spring
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer caused a ruckus recently when he compared economically troubled parts of upstate New York to "Appalachia."

Some Republicans charged that Spitzer, a Democratic candidate for governor, had slurred the region by comparing it to a part of the country that symbolizes abject poverty.

But at least one part of Appalachia is booming, and its success hits close to home.

An ad that's been running in national magazines touts an ever-expanding Toyota manufacturing plant in Buffalo - West Virginia, not New York.

While our automotive manufacturing sector is on the decline, the ad tells "The Story of the Plant That Never Stopped Growing" in Buffalo, W.Va.

Toyota has invested $920 million since 1996 in the plant, which has 1,150 employees, according to the State Journal in Charleston.

If that's the Appalachian economy Spitzer was referring to, where do we sign up?


Sa-T-shirt

Satish Mohan fans are everywhere. And if Chris Byrd has his way, they soon will be even easier to spot.

Byrd, a self-described East Side activist, was checking out the "Got Milk?" Web site recently when he got an idea to boost the Amherst town supervisor and his political hero.

The result can be seen on Byrd's Web site, "In Da Buff." There, with a few clicks and $16.99, you can purchase a T-shirt with the inscription, "Got Satish?"

Other items for sale will be bumper stickers, buttons and so on, all bearing the same inscription, Byrd said.

The last time political passions reached these heights, former Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin was the subject, and the slogan was "Gimme Jimmy."

But what if the "Got Satish" slogan doesn't catch on? Byrd has a fallback: "Satish: Not your father's politician."


Written by Stephen T. Watson with contributions from Brian Meyer, Thomas J. Dolan and Douglas L. Turner.

e-mail: offmain@buffnews.com

By Joanne Wychodek
The Buffalo News
Published on: 04/01/06

Trendy grocer Trader Joe's to open in Buffalo this summer

It's official: Trader Joe's finally is coming to Buffalo. The California-based company — whose 200 or so low-priced, small-sized, gourmet markets have attracted a rabid following — will set up shop here sometime this year, said spokeswoman April Pfuhl.

Trader Joe's has not signed any leases yet, she said, and any speculation on the number of local locations or opening dates would be premature. She declined to discuss any other details. One local commercial real estate agent, who asked to remain anonymous, says "Trader Joe's is seeking a location on Main Street in Williamsville, if not close to the village like the Sheridan-Hopkins or Maple-North Forest area. They are not looking at the city itself."

Already the local fans are salivating. They call Trader Joe's a happy medium between high-priced gourmet shops and traditional supermarkets, singing the praises of the company's cheap-but-healthy-and-yummy frozen meals, "Two Buck Chuck" wines, unsalted macadamia nuts, bottled juices, unique breads and friendly staffers dressed in Hawaiian shirts.

"You never know what you're going to find, and it's always a pleasant shopping experience," said Leanne Patterson, a transplant from California who works at the University at Buffalo. "It's one of the places that I miss the most when I think of California."

The company will be the first in a market that, unlike other cities, has been largely ignored by gourmet grocers Whole Foods and Wild Oats. Industry experts expressed doubts that the Trader Joe's formula — low-priced, high-quality, quirky, fun — will be a success in staunchly blue-collar Buffalo, but stated that the two Trader Joe's stores in Cleveland have proven to be very popular with area shoppers.

Right now the company, which is owned by German grocer Aldi, has stores in 19 states. There are already several Aldi outlets in the Buffalo area.

Patterson put it mildly, saying: "I am so happy that Trader Joe's is coming."

cute.

This is great news

if TJ's is not successfull in Buffalo it will not be because of its blue collarness...it will be because Buff is used to mega super stocked high quality markets like Tops and Wegmans...They might not "get" TJ's.

I am shocked that Trader Joes is owned by Aldi. Talk about different!

I work for Aldi...I'll dig for info and let you guys know.

I think that was an April Fools post. :dunno:

I see it now. It would have been more funny with a few zingers thrown in. It is written too strait. You Know a play on names and such. I give it a c+

Is it really owned by Aldi though? ?

I give it a c+

Fooled you though, so I'd give it an A+. PWN3D!!!11!!!!one :D

Some good news on the economic front...

***

Buffalo Portfolio gained 8.7 percent in first quarter

By DAVID ROBINSON
News Business Reporter
4/2/2006

The Buffalo Niagara region's stocks are off to their best start in 14 years.
Coming off an 8.5 percent gain last year, the stocks of companies based in the Buffalo Niagara region opened 2006 with their fourth consecutive quarterly gain and managed to beat all of the major market indexes in the process.

A portfolio that owned a single share of each of the local stocks would have jumped by 8.7 percent during the winter quarter - the first time that Buffalo Portfolio has started a year on the upside since opening 2002 with a 6.7 percent gain.

That topped smaller advances by the broader market indexes, led by the 6.1 percent advance by the Nasdaq composite index. The local stocks also fared more than twice as well as the 3.7 percent rise by the Standard & Poor's 500 index and the Dow Jones industrial average.

But the local stocks couldn't hold a candle to the 13.7 percent surge by the more comparable Russell 2000 index of small company stocks, which has outperformed the S&P 500 for seven straight years.

Overall, the good fortune was fairly widespread among the local stocks, with share prices rising for more than three-quarters of the companies. In all, 17 of the 22 local stocks managed to go up during the quarter, with 10 of those stocks turning in gains that topped 15 percent.

Servotronics Inc. led the gainers with a 79 percent surge that started after the Elma servocontrols and cutlery manufacturer's former chief financial officer pleaded guilty to stealing almost $4 million from the company and to a related felony charge of state income tax evasion.

In contrast, just four local stocks lost value during the quarter, but two of them posted double-digit declines, led by the 16 percent drop by Greatbatch Ltd. as the Clarence medical battery maker warned that earnings this year would be less than analysts were expecting.

Leading the gainers was Servotronics, which rebounded from its 3.1 percent decline in 2005 to nearly double in a strong rally that began shortly after former CFO Lee D. Burns admitted stealing almost $4 million from the company from 1983 to 2005. The company has recovered $1 million from insurance carriers for employee theft.

At the same time, Servotronics' fourth-quarter profits nearly quadrupled, buoyed partly by the insurance settlement. Company executives said they expect sales to continue to rise this year at its Advanced Technology Group, which accounts for a little less than two-thirds of the company's revenues by making servocontrols and components for aerospace projects.

Minrad International's shares had an even stronger rebound, shooting up by 55 percent in the first quarter after sinking by 58 percent last year.

The Buffalo-based medical device and anesthesia maker's sales soared more than five-fold during the fourth quarter, allowing it to cut its losses by almost a third. Minrad's sales reached $2.5 million last year, and company officials have said the firm has signed six contracts for its inhalation anesthetics and its image-guided medical devices that could add more than $7 million to its annual sales by 2008.

Taylor Devices shares also had a big turnaround in the first quarter, bouncing back from a 43 percent plunge in 2005 to gain 46 percent in the first three months of this year. Most of that gain came in early January after the North Tonawanda shock absorber maker reported that its second-quarter profits surged almost ninefold and company President Douglas P. Taylor predicted that the firm would continue to show "substantial improvement" in its sales and earnings throughout this year.

On the downside, Greatbatch's shares fell by 16 percent after the fourth-quarter earnings disappointment and profit warning. Greatbatch officials said the company's fourth-quarter profits were hurt by $4.4 million in costs as it consolidates its operations from seven plants to four, but those restructuring moves are expected to save the company more than $10 million a year beginning in 2007.

Eli Kammerman, an analyst at Cathay Financial, said he believes Greatbatch's profits this year will be stronger than most analysts expect as the company's operations become more efficient

The only other company with a double-digit loss during the first quarter was Graham Corp., whose previously high-flying stock took a beating in early February as investors were alarmed by a slowing order flow and rising growth-related costs that hurt the Batavia manufacturer's profitability during its third quarter. Graham's shares fell 13 percent after tripling in 2005.

While Graham's profits have strengthened markedly, investors honed in on concerns that the company's engineering capacity might limit its future growth, said Brad McAdam, the research director at the Bullfinch Funds in suburban Rochester, which owns a small stake in Graham.


e-mail: drobinson@buffnews.com

Just had a family of Utahns move into my apartment complex...interesting, wonder what they're doing here lol. Maybe they got displaced by the deluge of domestic out-migration from California?!?!

cool news.

how many wives?

Only one that I know of lol. 2 kids. They apparently moved in with a fleet of jalopy pickup trucks and a trailer (I'm assuming Utah because that's the plate I saw when I took out the trash this morning). But that still beats a U-Haul...

But as long as their not here to avail themselves of our generous welfare system, I don't care if he has 30 wives!

did anyone post the Buffalo News article from a month ago about the Gates Circle condominiums?

I just talked to Uniland today and if anyone doesn't know, they are going to demolish a restaurant at Gates Circle and put up a new 14 story luxury condominium building. It is supposed to start this summer.

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/03/cosmos_to_condos_at_the_p.php

that is the BR story on it. someone had posted it here a while back. i think there was some discussion. can't wait to see design proposals.

oh my god, sabres win, oh my god!!!!!
they still could use some serious help, but this is a definite an improvement over the last 9 games.
one thing that i haven't seen from them in a while, great goaltending. marty looked like a starting nhl goaltender tonight.

^^ It's just like Bruce Almighty! God must be their now and have answered the coaches prayers (not dissing the sabres, just really like that movie)

I still don't like shootouts, I never will. They just don't fit the context of the game, and I don't think they should feel good about winning after how they played in the final 30 minutes for that same reason. It's just, I dunno, flukey.

The first 30, and a 5-6 minute stretch in the 2nd, however, I think the played about as well as they did all season. Absolutely dominating. And Biron stood on his head, but again, I don't think Miller would have been any worse. Goaltending is not this team's problem, as much as anybody may say.

What do you think about Tucker's cheap shot knee-on-knee and going after Hecht's head all in one play, knocking him out several weeks? Sounds like more of an ass than Kasparaitis, I'm glad our guys pounded him around all night. And to think I thought Domi was the biggest ass on that team.

On a final note, they probably won because they weren't distracted by those people in the zamboni tunnels running on treadmills for the duration of the game. About the strangest looking thing I ever saw - it was taking my mind off the game. WTF was that all about?

BTW speaking of Sabres, I bought that Rick Jeanneret CD at the Sabres Store today. Haven't gotten to listen to it yet though.

did anyone post the Buffalo News article from a month ago about the Gates Circle condominiums?

I just talked to Uniland today and if anyone doesn't know, they are going to demolish a restaurant at Gates Circle and put up a new 14 story luxury condominium building. It is supposed to start this summer.

14 story? nice.

I think another building we are undercutting is this Federal Courthouse...10 story, but will 200 feet? thats not bad.

we are getting there, Uniland broke ground on Delaware I see...that one should move fast. I think BJfan said HealthNow is crawling along...maybe they are waiting for weather or something.

What do you think about Tucker's cheap shot knee-on-knee and going after Hecht's head all in one play, knocking him out several weeks? Sounds like more of an ass than Kasparaitis, I'm glad our guys pounded him around all night. And to think I thought Domi was the biggest ass on that team.

I just can't wait until April 18th when the Sabres play the Leafs so Andrew Peters or Gaustad or Grier can just throttle Tucker, he is a diving, sorry excuse for a hockey player. This is not the first time he has taken out a player because he can't take a hit...need I remind you of the Michael Peca torn ACL that he cause on a knee to knee hit in 2002 (I believe). Either way Lindy was right he needs to be suspended, injuring a player on purpose should not be taken lightly, especially because he went for the knee and the head. He's a disgrace to the game of hockey, that is for damn sure.

:mad2: :mad2: :bleep: :bleep:

Yeah, ground was broken on Delaware Ave probably sometime yesterday. Now they have the right lane blocked off! Ahh, progress...

F'ck Tucker, Tucker sucks. - G. Carlin
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060404/capt.fng10804040242.sabres_maple_leafs_hockey_fng108.jpg

14 story? nice.

I think another building we are undercutting is this Federal Courthouse...10 story, but will 200 feet? thats not bad.

we are getting there, Uniland broke ground on Delaware I see...that one should move fast. I think BJfan said HealthNow is crawling along...maybe they are waiting for weather or something.


Don't look now, but steel is starting to rise at the HealthNow site. They are moving fast too - in 2 days they have almost the whole first floor framed.

did anyone post the Buffalo News article from a month ago about the Gates Circle condominiums?

I just talked to Uniland today and if anyone doesn't know, they are going to demolish a restaurant at Gates Circle and put up a new 14 story luxury condominium building. It is supposed to start this summer.
Did they speed up their plans? I thought the Park Lane was going to stay open until New Years Eve.

Fiserv adding 50 new jobs in Amherst

4/4/2006

Fiserv Lending Solutions, parent of RSA Mortgage Solutions in Amherst, said Monday that it is adding 50 new full- and part-time mortgage lending jobs locally as a result of growth in its mortgage and home equity services.
The unit of Wisconsin-based financial software and services firm Fiserv is hosting a job fair Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at its Main Street office.

Fiserv Lending, through RSA, is a licensed mortgage broker in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

RSA, formerly Remarketing Services of America, was founded by Andrew J. Shaevel and Stuart H. Angert to manage cars coming off leases. It was divided into auto and mortgage divisions in December, with Shaevel running the mortgage side and Angert running the auto division

Area factory activity continues to rise
By DAVID ROBINSON
News Business Reporter
4/4/2006

Business at local manufacturers continued to grow for the third straight month during March, fueled by improved production in area factories.
However, the pace of the expansion held steady because of a slowdown in the flow of new orders, a local purchasing managers group said Monday.

The continued growth among local manufacturers kept the National Association of Purchasing Management - Buffalo's business activity index at its highest level since last July.

"The business climate in Western New York was favorable last month and it continues this month," said William R. Ellis, the chairman of the group's business survey committee.

The group's business activity index was unchanged at 60.5 last month. Any reading above 50 indicates improvement, and since the index has been above that since July 2003, the survey shows that the region's manufacturing sector has expanded for 33 straight months - the longest streak of consecutive improvement in more than eight years.

One of the bright spots last month was the modest growth in the rate of production at local factories, which rose to 65.9 in March from 64.3 in February as half of the local managers said output increased at their firms, up from 43 percent the month before.

The flow of new orders, which in February had jumped to a 10-month high, slowed a bit last month, although it continued to expand, with the group's new order index slipping to 65.9 from 69 in February. Hiring at local factories also improved for the third time in the last seven months, with the group's employment index slipping slightly to 52.3 last month from 52.4, as more than two-thirds of the firms kept employment stable while the number of firms adding workers fell slightly.

Inventories grew for the third straight month after finishing 2005 with five straight months of decline. Commodity prices rose at a slightly faster pace

Did they speed up their plans? I thought the Park Lane was going to stay open until New Years Eve.

Not sure, I was told they were going to stay open for a few months to keep their lunch buffet open. I guess that is for regular customers that haven't heard the news. They said they are going to have an art gallery on the first floor.

I honestly don't know how to feel about this one. Ten years ago I probably would've been devastated, but now I'm just sort of "blah", I don't really care for the game anymore, just isn't what it used to be. I don't even think I want to pay attention to the game anymore, it's just hard for me to give up on something I still like. We kept our hockey team, that's good enough for me.

And for some food for thought, maybe we wouldn't be quite as bad off if we didn't have to keep pumping public money into this stuff...

Add to the fact I think Wilson is an ass (I used to like him, not anymore)...

***

Wilson Concerned About Bills' Long Term Future
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 04:58 PM - WBEN Newsroom

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson met with Governor Pataki Monday and says "The long term viability of the team may be in serious doubt."

Wilson told Pataki during their meeting the new collective bargaining agreement does not help small market teams like the Bills.

Erie County Executive Joel Giambra tells Newsradio 930 WBEN he's heard the concerns, but there's nothing to worry about.

The Buffalobills.com Website quotes Pataki as saying he'll continue to advocate on behalf of the Bills, the only team that plays its home games in New York State.

Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson has delivered a warning to Gov. George Pataki: The future of the team in Western New York "may be in serious doubt."

During a meeting Monday in Albany, Wilson told Pataki that the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement with the players union places too high a financial burden on small-market teams like Buffalo.

While all teams compete to sign players to seven- and eight-figure contracts, large-market franchises generally have an advantage in generating large revenues through luxury-seating sales and corporate sponsorships.

In a statement released by the team this afternoon, Wilson said, "I have 46 years of my life invested in this franchise and in Western New York. There are those who don't care about us, our passionate fans or our hard-working taxpayers. Well, I do! I am not going to sugar coat this and I am not going down without a fight. The people who have supported us for these 46 years deserve more than that."

It is one of the few times Wilson has publicly discussed the Bills future.

In the same statement, Pataki said he shared his concerns with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

"While the issues raised by Mr. Wilson are not unique to the Buffalo Bills," Pataki said, "the future of that franchise is of primary concern to me."

Neither Pataki, who helped forge a $96 million renovation of Ralph wilson Stadium that triggered a new 15-year lease between the team and Erie County in 1998, nor Tagliabue have a long-term hold on their current jobs.

Pataki's term as governor expires at the end of 2006 and he is not running for re-election. Tagliabue recently announced that he will retire this summer.

does the fifteen year lease guarantee they will be here until 2013?
or would he move the team and continue to pay on the lease?

i wonder if tom g. or the rich's have any interest in football.
ralph wilson is gonna keel over and die soon anyway, i had my doubts about the team staying in buffalo after he was gone anyway.

i'd care alot less if we had won one of those super bowls

Galisano.

might he buy them and expand the market share?

can it be expanded? yea

I heard through the rumor mill that Golisano wanted to buy the Bills and that was the reason that he did not run for governor. Quiet wispers around town are that he and a few other prominent business people in the area are having meetings about buying the franchise...

How sad is it that WNY has such a pathetic chance of getting attention by the rest of the state or country that the richest guy in the area decides to own the football team rather than run for Governer?

HEHE!

Birmingham was RIGHT! They DO want to move. Oh well, our 70,000 seat dome with a retractable roof will delivered right on time for them :D

No offense guys, I love Buffalo, but I just like Birmingham more... :D

does the fifteen year lease guarantee they will be here until 2013?
or would he move the team and continue to pay on the lease?

i wonder if tom g. or the rich's have any interest in football.
ralph wilson is gonna keel over and die soon anyway, i had my doubts about the team staying in buffalo after he was gone anyway.

i'd care alot less if we had won one of those super bowls

The lease sorta guarantees we'll be here till 2013...Ralph Wilson (or his kids when he dies) can move the team before that but they have to pay a huge fee to do so. I believe every year that goes by, the fee goes down.

Oh please GOD let B. Thomas buy the Bills and keep them here forever...or atleast till he dies. But if he buys them, he'll have to build a stadium in Rochester so that the Bills can play one away home game like Sabres do.

Sodexho's new east side plant...WOW!

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2583/sodexho11kb.png

damn, thats wild.

Sodexho's new east side plant...WOW!

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2583/sodexho11kb.png

that building is so sweet.

^^ That looks so not "East Side" it's amazing. I like that.

***

Passed a tractor trailer loaded with steel beams today on Rte 5, perhaps headed for HealthNow? I was able to see some cranes on the site, but too much "ground clutter" to see what the status was.

***

The Bills' lease is littered with escape clauses, we (the county) totally got hosed when it was written and signed.

DT - First of all, nobody ever said there weren't "threats" of moving. In fact I'd say no team is assured to stay, anywhere, except for Green Bay. It's just the way things are - so-called "franchise free agency". Think about it - Baltimore, St. Louis, Cleveland, Houston, and LA twice! NYC has lost 2 baseball teams, DC has lost 2 baseball teams on consecutive occasions! So it could certainly happen in Buffalo, in fact I'd say it's almost surprising it hasn't yet. Secondly, I don't think they'd end up in Birmingham. Actually, they were talking on the radio a few days ago about some NFL-related website (of which there are practically billions, so good luck finding it) with some speculation of which would be the next team in LA, first of which was the Bills. Other teams with high potential for moving were Arizona, Jacksonville, and a few others I can't remember. Just moving to Birmingham wouldn't solve the "small market" woes, so they wouldn't gain anything by moving.

I like the idea of Golisano buying the team, and I think it would have a decent probability of happening. His investment in the Sabres is apparently already paying dividends, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him become emboldened enough to go after the NFL. Heck, at that rate maybe he'll buy the Marlins too (though I couldn't care less, I'm an AL fan, the thought of games against the Pirates and Brewers makes me want to vomit).

I also think we could pull off the Green Bay model of a community-owned team here, we have a similar fan base, small market status. Green Bay also has a Milwaukee base, whereas the Bills have done a great job in recent years of regionalizing the market into Toronto and Rochester, probably the only good thing they've accomplished in the last 10 years.

***

Drove by the Delaware Ave project today, and there were probably 20-30 "protesters" in front wearing sandwich boards saying something like "Uniland Development hires...contractors..." Hard to read 1" handwriting when you're driving by at 25-30 mph. I suppose it may make the news, but does anybody else know what the bitching is about?

HEHE!

Birmingham was RIGHT! They DO want to move. Oh well, our 70,000 seat dome with a retractable roof will delivered right on time for them :D

No offense guys, I love Buffalo, but I just like Birmingham more... :D

Birmingham just does not have enough population or wealth within a 75 mile radius of the stadium to support an NFL team. The NFL uses the 75 mile raduis which corresponds with the distance used for the TV blackout rule.

This seems more like a ploy by Wilson to start lining up a new stadium to allow the team to stay and prosper after his demise. I doubt that his comments were really revenue driven as it has been reported that the Bills rank 20th out of 32 in team revenue, so there are certainly a lot of teams worse off than them.

It has been published that Bob Rich and Jeremy Jacobs are interested in buying the team together, if they add Golisano to the mix you are talking about the team being purchased by three men all of whom are on the Forbes list of richest Americans.

this is such horseshit anyway.
im pretty sure only cincinnati in one season has lost money since profit sharing and the salary cap were introduced.

From today's Buffalo News:
http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20060405/1028888.asp


Council OKs deal for tower downtown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office complex work could begin this fall

By BRIAN MEYER
News Staff Reporter
4/5/2006

Construction likely will begin this fall on a downtown office tower following Tuesday's Common Council approval of an intensely debated land deal.
The 7-1 vote paves the way for an 11-story office complex at 50 Court St. across from the Liberty Building. Developer Carl P. Paladino says he plans to spend $40 million to $45 million building the 335,000-square-foot tower. Officials said it would be the largest downtown project of its kind in a generation.

But a competing developer who offered $575,000 more than the $700,000 that Paladino will pay for the city-owned site claimed Buffalo can't afford to provide "giveaways." Main Place-Liberty Group offered $1.275 million for a property on which it hoped to build a 600-vehicle parking ramp.

"The city is not in the position to give money away to millionaires, it's really that simple," said Patrick Hotung, general manager of Main Place-Liberty Group.

But most Council members think building an office complex on the high-visibility corner is in downtown's best long-term interests.

"This is the right plan in the right place at the right time," said South Council Member Michael P. Kearns.

Masten Council Member Antoine M. Thompson voted against the land sale, siding with some downtown landlords who insisted the central business district is in dire need of a new parking structure.

Some speakers at the Tuesday hearing that preceded the vote noted that a number of city-owned parking ramps have waiting lists. They argued that a new office tower that will provide 138 new parking spaces while displacing 120 existing spots will only compound the problem.

"Nobody likes parking lots. But you know what? We have to face reality," said Robert Knoer, Hotung's attorney.

Paul Gregory, who works for Paladino, said significant resources were committed to a project that has been the topic of debate for 18 years. He insisted that the developer received no "beneficial treatment" from the city.

Mayor Byron W. Brown helped forge a compromise that involved Paladino agreeing to eliminate a potential rebate of $150,000 in the purchase price if crews discover underground obstructions.

Citizen activist Arthur J. Robinson Jr. spoke at Tuesday's hearing, calling the project a "step forward for Buffalo."

The developer hopes to open the new complex in 2008.

In other action, the Council voted to accept up to $150,000 a year from anonymous community leaders who want to donate money to help the city attract the "best and brightest" administrators.

But officials made it clear that the money would be used only to help pay for national searches, other recruitment efforts and certain relocation expenses as spelled out in a new policy drafted by the comptroller's office. Plans by the Brown administration to use some donations to provide salary supplements to new hires have faced resistance from Comptroller Andrew A. SanFilippo and some Council members.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo would administer the funds, which would be donated by a handful of anonymous donors from the private sector. They have made a four-year commitment to provide up to $150,000 annually. Foundation President Gail Johnstone said the community leaders want to give Buffalo the resources it needs to recruit the best possible managers.

e-mail: bmeyer@buffnews.com

hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

main place libery's argument was studid anyhow.
1. we don't need more parking at this point, i think everyone not involved in the downtown parking business can agree on that.
2. the city sold the land for 575,000 less than the main place group offered for it. they use the argument that the city is giving "gifts" to millionaires.
given the average property tax levy in erie county is 4.5 to 5 dollars per 1000 dollars of assessed value, a 40 million dollar property will make up that difference in only 3 years.( sorry i dont know what the tax rate is for downtown or for the city of buffalo, just the county wide average)

hooray! screw the parking people. less parking, more reason for your fat ass to walk down to the bus stop in the morning and do something that, dare i say, is better for the community and society as a whole.

^^ ok well granted we have to account for services used by the occupants of 50 court st., so it may be more than three years before that difference is recouped. my point remains the same, the office tower will generate more tax revenue than the parking structure, period.

my thoughts on court st tower vs new parking ramp.

They probably could use another modern parking ramp in the downtown area, especially with these new buildings going up taking away surface lots. But this particular site is right next to another parking ramp. Having 2 huge ramps right next to each other seems ridiculous. the ramps should be spread out to provide closer parking to different areas of DT.

...Jeremy Jacobs...
He owns the Bruins, right?

If so, please God don't let him get his hands on the Bills. They're cheap enough.

Bills - What are everyone's thoughts on the Bills and a new stadium? Is it worth building a new stadium? (funded by county tax payers that are already fed up with taxes). Would a waterfront stadium be a good idea? Should the new one be domed?

Pros and cons

A stadium might be just the thing to anchor the waterfront, and moving the team back into the city would be great. However, is it worth the costs, as you say. I don't know. In terms of potential spinoff development, maybe so. Certainly would be a better land use than what's there now.

Domed? No. Football as a sport takes pride in being played in "any weather condition, anywhere, anytime". Bad football weather is almost a sense of pride here, Green Bay, Chicago, Cleveland, New England, etc. A dome might land us a Super Bowl, but I wouldn't want to sell out just for that. I hate how SBs get played in optimal, controlled environments anyways, just so some rich pussies can sit in their boxes and enjoy the weather. (Don't you just love the idea of a mud-filled, 40° rainy Super Bowl slugfest between Pittsburgh and Chicago?) Granted a dome might make the venue more suitable for other uses, but that's what HSBC Arena is for.

my thoughts on court st tower vs new parking ramp.

They probably could use another modern parking ramp in the downtown area, especially with these new buildings going up taking away surface lots. But this particular site is right next to another parking ramp. Having 2 huge ramps right next to each other seems ridiculous. the ramps should be spread out to provide closer parking to different areas of DT.

agreed, there probably are areas that are underserved. this in my opinion is not one of them.
my stance is also somewhat biased, as i have used public transit exclusively for about five years. still, i can't help but ask that in a city where the number one downtown land use is parking, do we need more parking?

Birmingham just does not have enough population or wealth within a 75 mile radius of the stadium to support an NFL team. The NFL uses the 75 mile raduis which corresponds with the distance used for the TV blackout rule.

This seems more like a ploy by Wilson to start lining up a new stadium to allow the team to stay and prosper after his demise. I doubt that his comments were really revenue driven as it has been reported that the Bills rank 20th out of 32 in team revenue, so there are certainly a lot of teams worse off than them.

It has been published that Bob Rich and Jeremy Jacobs are interested in buying the team together, if they add Golisano to the mix you are talking about the team being purchased by three men all of whom are on the Forbes list of richest Americans.

Yeah, and the Birmingham area's total income (not counting Canada) is higher at 48.1 billion vs. Buffalo's 41.7 (according to the BBJ). You're also probably not aware that within that radius you've got another metro of 500,000 (Huntsville) that's full of rocket scientists and research engineers that has the highest median incomes in the South. In an 80 mile radius from downtown, you've got another metro of 550,000 -- the state capital, Montgomery. In addition, you've got most of Mississippi which considers Birmingham to be one of their "major" cities.

So please, don't discount Birmingham, even if ignorance about the South seems to be in vogue in the Northeast forum. If Buffalo can have the NFL, so can Birmingham. It isn't likely to happen (if the Bills are to move, it would be a 99% chance that they'd go to LA) but it's not like it would be out of the question for all eternity.

As for the parking owners, screw 'em. Bring on this new building. Some new inventory will do downtown good.

Also, concerning a new stadium for the Bills - well, maybe. I think something like Ford Field would be cool downtown, though how on earth would Buffalo afford it?

you raise a fair point about birmingham and personal income.
however, you should be reminded that 70 miles to the east of buffalo is a metro area of 1 million which has a total personal income of around 35 billion. rochester is without question bills country. furthermore, you have to consider that the bills are the most popular nfl team in canada and that we are all of 90 miles from canada's largest city/metro(over 5 million people) and well within the 75 mile radius are st-kits/niagara(400,000 metro) and hamilton(over 700,000 metro).

no matter how you cut it buffalo's sports market is larger than birmingham's. sorry man, nothing against birmingham, its just plain true.

As for the parking owners, screw 'em. Bring on this new building. Some new inventory will do downtown good.

we most certainly agree on that.

see guys even the transplant knows we have too much freaking parking!

Yeah, and the Birmingham area's total income (not counting Canada) is higher at 48.1 billion vs. Buffalo's 41.7 (according to the BBJ). You're also probably not aware that within that radius you've got another metro of 500,000 (Huntsville) that's full of rocket scientists and research engineers that has the highest median incomes in the South. In an 80 mile radius from downtown, you've got another metro of 550,000 -- the state capital, Montgomery. In addition, you've got most of Mississippi which considers Birmingham to be one of their "major" cities.


So please, don't discount Birmingham, even if ignorance about the South seems to be in vogue in the Northeast forum. If Buffalo can have the NFL, so can Birmingham. It isn't likely to happen (if the Bills are to move, it would be a 99% chance that they'd go to LA) but it's not like it would be out of the question for all eternity.

As for the parking owners, screw 'em. Bring on this new building. Some new inventory will do downtown good.

Your $41 Billion figure for Buffalo is silly. That figure only includes Erie and Niagara Counties. There are areas less than 20 miles from the Stadium that are not included in your total. It was a very poorly researched topic by Bizjournals.com. Plus you are totally discounting the $40Billion + for Rochester which falls within the 75 mile limit and the $50 billion(cdn) that also falls within the 75 mile limit. Thus Buffalo ( after discounting 25% for cdn discount rate) football market income is $119.20 Billion. For Birmingham the comparable area market income would be about $70 Billion. Probably less but I am feeling generous this morning.

damn jerome, you and i are on the same page.
i gotta be quicker.

http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20060404/1001087.asp

less highway, more for niagara falls. lets put those tourists back on the city's streets.

Well let me just say it has long been a pet peeve of mine that when comparing one area against another we are only allowed to count 1,900 square miles while the average for other metro's in the one-two million population range is over 3,800 square miles. When you are considering a market for NFL football distance from the stadium becomes the driving force... literally.

Your $41 Billion figure for Buffalo is silly. That figure only includes Erie and Niagara Counties. There are areas less than 20 miles from the Stadium that are not included in your total. It was a very poorly researched topic by Bizjournals.com. Plus you are totally discounting the $40Billion + for Rochester which falls within the 75 mile limit and the $50 billion(cdn) that also falls within the 75 mile limit. Thus Buffalo ( after discounting 25% for cdn discount rate) football market income is $119.20 Billion. For Birmingham the comparable area market income would be about $70 Billion. Probably less but I am feeling generous this morning.

According to the Bizjournals report, it was for a 7 county area when tallying Buffalo's numbers (they did not use MSA statistics). I'm in Atlanta right now so I don't have the paper copy handy, but I'd be happy to scan it for you when I return home on Friday.

I don't disagree that Buffalo is a larger sports market than Birmingham - I was just refuting the fact that Birmingham is too small and not wealthy enough for a pro team.

Whatever - the fact is that within 75 miles of Wilson stadium there is a considerably larger population and income base than there is within 75 miles if Birmingham. As you will note in my comparison I did not add for the other 5 counties that I thought were left out by bizjournals, thus my numbers stand as originally stated. The difference is a minimum of $49 billion dollars (I also did not include Hamilton Ont by the way) and 1.2 - 1.6 million people.

Too bad Buffalo's not just in Canada, eh? It'd make the city seem so much better ;)

Also, concerning a new stadium for the Bills - well, maybe. I think something like Ford Field would be cool downtown, though how on earth would Buffalo afford it?

How ironic that Wilson meets with Pataki the same week that the State approves spending hundreds of millions on new stadiums for the Mets and Yankees AND nearing final approval for expansion of the Javits. Coincidence? I think not.

Unfortunately, he needs to be lobbying the new governor, not the schmuck on his way out. :runaway:

http://buffalonews.com/editorial/20060404/1001087.asp

less highway, more for niagara falls. lets put those tourists back on the city's streets.
"The city-state partnership will also look into alternatives for a controversial two-mile stretch of the Robert Moses Parkway from the Rainbow Bridge to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge."

Idiots. It's more like 5 miles. But yeah, get rid of it, just get your numbers straight.

Talk hints at legislative pay raises
By TOM PRECIOUS
News Albany Bureau
4/5/2006

ALBANY - Fresh from enacting the second on-time state budget in a row, the Legislature's top Democrat opened the door to raising the salaries of the 212-member Assembly and Senate.
"I always believed that legislators have worked hard, and I always believed that over the course of 10 years, it may be time," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, told reporters after an event Tuesday in Albany.

But Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno ruled out talk that has been swirling for weeks that legislators would boost their own salaries after the November elections.

"No, it's not going to happen," Bruno said. There are few things trickier in Albany than the timing of legislative pay raises. All 212 legislators are up for re-election this fall, and in the Senate, the Republican majority is trying to keeps from losing seats to the Democrats.

A sitting Legislature cannot raise its own pay. The current Legislature would have to act before Dec. 31 this year on a pay raise if the salaries are to be raised when a new Legislature session begins next year.

Salaries were last raised for legislators in 1998. They make $79,500, and most get a stipend for committee or leadership posts that can add tens of thousands of dollars a year to their pay.

Yesterday....

Higgins to Pataki: Stop tolls or else

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressman calls charges on Niagara Thruway 'illegal, immoral and inequitable'

By ROBERT J. McCARTHY
News Political Reporter
4/4/2006

Rep. Brian Higgins has lodged the most tangible threat yet against Niagara Thruway tolls by warning Gov. George E. Pataki on Monday that without immediate action to abolish them, he would introduce legislation to withhold the road's federal transportation money.
County Clerk David J. Swarts and County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-Buffalo, joined Higgins, D-Buffalo, outside Higgins' Buffalo office, where the congressman announced he had asked Pataki to remove tolls he described as "illegal, immoral and inequitable."

Since 1976, Higgins noted, the Niagara Thruway has received $194 million in federal aid.

He said the threat of such legislation, along with growing support from the public and private sectors, adds to the "convergence" of community sentiment against the tolls.

"The Thruway Authority, in its arrogance, has created an opportunity for us to exploit this," Higgins said.

His announcement, which followed pronouncements by Swarts and such other officials as County Executive Joel A. Giambra, is the latest in a series of revolts against the Breckenridge and Ogden Street toll barriers.

The tolls, Higgins said, amount to double taxation on Western New Yorkers, since drivers in other major upstate cities travel toll-free on their major commuter routes.

Higgins joins the fray fresh from a successful battle against the State Power Authority over a relicensing agreement that will pump $279 million into the Buffalo waterfront over the next half-century. He noted his disdain for state authorities, which he sees as answerable only to the governor, but said Pataki could rectify the situation.

"A political solution is required here," Higgins said. "The governor not only influences public authorities in this state; the governor controls them."

For years, Swarts and his deputy, Kathleen C. Hochul, a Hamburg councilwoman who joined him Monday, have pressed for removing the tolls.

Swarts described himself as heartened by Higgins' direct involvement in the effort, saying he believes that the issue must be pursued from every level of the community.

"This is an indication, clearly, that Brian Higgins gets it," Swarts said. "Brian has zeroed in on the most influential person in this - the governor."

Swarts said Thruway proceeds now fund projects ranging from the Erie Canal to port redevelopment in Rochester.

He also called on Pataki to act.

"The public has to continue to send a message to the governor," Swarts said.

Higgins said he was confident he could obtain federal legislation to withhold some federal funds from the Thruway Authority. But removing the tolls, he added, would eliminate the double taxation issue.

A Pataki spokesman declined to comment, saying Higgins' letter had not arrived. The Thruway Authority did not return calls seeking comment.

Higgins' toll-removal effort, endorsed by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, joins a lawsuit filed by downtown businessman Carl P. Paladino, which is expected to be financed by Erie County.


e-mail: rmccarthy@buffnews.com

***

...and today...

Toll protest is taking on clout

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A push to remove the Niagara Thruway toll barriers, an issue first proposed in 2002, has gathered strength.

By ROBERT J. McCARTHY
News Political Reporter
4/5/2006


After years of strong talk but no action, a new "critical mass" of political clout is elevating the effort to remove toll barriers from the Niagara Thruway, toll opponents say.
"Over the past year or so, you see this thing changing," said County Clerk David J. Swarts, who has led the fight to remove tolls since 2002. "There's a consensus emerging among the political people and the business community that says: "Hey, this is wrong, and if we stick together, we might be able to accomplish something.' "

The new optimism follows Rep. Brian Higgins' threat this week to withhold federal aid from the Thruway Authority unless the Black Rock and Ogden Street barriers - and their 75-cent tolls - are removed.

There is no assurance that Higgins' threat can succeed, and Albany continues to dismiss the efforts as uninformed. But several factors have combined to give toll removal new momentum:

• Anti-toll resolutions passed by both the Common Council and County Legislature.

• A petition drive that gathered 30,000 signatures urging removal of the barriers.

• A recent Assembly Transportation Committee hearing in Buffalo that focused new attention on the issue.

• Legislation introduced in Albany by area legislators seeking removal of the tolls or some type of commuter pass program.

• A new lawsuit filed by downtown developer Carl P. Paladino and backed by County Executive Joel A. Giambra that challenges the Thruway Authority's basis for collecting the tolls.

• Possibly most important, Higgins' new effort that could involve terminating federal aid to the Thruway.

Swarts said he entered the fray four years ago on behalf of Erie County's approximately 500,000 licensed drivers who do business with his office.

"While Brian did a great job taking on the Power Authority, the Average Joe didn't understand it," Swarts said. "But they understand this."

Thruway Authority and the state Department of Transportation plan meetings in Western New York to help elected officials "better understand the issue," Thruway spokesman Dan Gilbert said.

"The fact is that Congress restricted the use of the $4.89 billion it authorized for New York in 1991 to future capital projects and traffic operations only, and prevented it from ever being used to remove tolls," he said.

But Swarts said both the authority and Gov. George E. Pataki continue to dismiss the chorus of protest against what he and Higgins say is the only interstate commuter route in all of upstate New York subjected to tolls.

"It's only the governor who can affect the outcome, but they just ignore it," Swarts said.

Despite what he said were the governor's public invitations to call him on the issue, Higgins said Pataki has not returned eight phone calls to his aides or to him directly. Higgins said his letter to Pataki was faxed Friday, and the administration said Tuesday it has received and is reviewing it. Officials declined to comment further.

Higgins, D-Buffalo, said he can affect Thruway funding through congressional appropriations, calling it a "pressure point" similar to legislation he introduced last year that prompted the Power Authority into higher local reimbursements as part of relicensing.

"I understand the reality of lawmaking; it's very, very difficult," he said. "But it's a vehicle through which you provide factual information to justify what you do. That, in and of itself, becomes the pressure point."

In Albany Tuesday, Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz pushed through a bill eliminating tolls for commuters at the two interchanges. But similar legislation in the past has died in the Senate.

"This is an issue of fairness," Tokasz told his colleagues.

Legislation to eliminate the tolls was proposed in the past by Tokasz and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo. Tokasz then changed his approach in 1998 to the free commuter pass proposal after Thruway officials said the elimination of the tolls could affect its ability to pay off bonds.

Tokasz's legislation would leave it up to the Thruway Authority's discretion whether the commuter pass would apply to commercial vehicles and what hours of the day the free tolls would be in effect.

"You're penalizing people who work in the city of Buffalo and the businesses that want to grow there," Tokasz said.

Hoyt, who has a bill pending to eliminate the tolls at the two interchanges for all drivers, called the Tokasz bill an interim step. He added the matter is not really a legislative one, but an issue for the governor since he controls the Thruway.

"The governor with a stroke of his pen or dialing of his phone could tell the Thruway Authority, "Yes, there is an inequity in Buffalo - eliminate the tolls,' " Hoyt said.

The Thruway Authority is finding new ways to issue bonds so it will always be in debt, said State Sen. Marc A. Coppola, D-Buffalo.

"The argument is that authorities never pay off their debt so they don't go out of existence," he said. Few expect the lame-duck Pataki administration to make any major changes in Thruway policy at this point. And even Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, has promised only to consider the issue.

But Swarts and Higgins remain optimistic that congressional consideration of dollars earmarked for the Thruway may prove the hammer that ultimately moves the issue.

"Their whole strategy has been that, if they don't respond, it will just go away," Swarts said. "I'm not so sure it will."


News Albany Bureau Reporter Tom Precious contributed to this report.

e-mail: rmccarthy@buffnews.com

***

It's time to believe in ourselves
4/5/2006

By DONN ESMONDE

It is about more than the $11 million a year they take out of our shallow pockets.
It is about more than obliterating a commuter tax that isn't paid by folks in any other upstate city.

It is about more than making toll barriers disappear.

It is about fighting back. It is about not lying down and taking it anymore. It is about believing that, yes, things can change around here.

It is believing that we are not pawns to a No Goal/Wide Right/Blizzard of '77 fate.

Like a long-stagnant waterfront and a long-obsolete Skyway and a long-vacant downtown, the two Niagara Thruway toll barriers at city's edge are symbols. They stand for our sheep-like willingness to accept the unacceptable, to roll over and take it, to believe that we can't change anything - so why bother trying?

Psychologists have a name for it: Learned helplessness. Through decades of decline and disappointment, we have embraced a sense of infant-like impotence. The only way to kill it is by fighting back. By winning.

The victories are mounting.

Brian Higgins' recent assault on the transportation authority awakened it from its half-century slumber on the outer harbor waterfront.

Developers such as Rocco Termini, Ben Obletz and Carl Paladino are reviving once-empty downtown shells.

Congressman Higgins extracted a $279 million relicensing fee from the Power Authority, far more than it said it had to give. He did it even as the faint-hearted begged him to back off, fearful that fighting for more risked losing what we already had. The money will remake our prairie-like waterfront.

The first canal stones were placed last week in the reclaimed Commercial Slip, signifying the success of a community-led fight to save the historic canal terminus for heritage development. It is the start of stamping our page in America's story and reinventing the downtown waterfront.

It is all a variation on the same theme: Fighting back.

The two toll barriers are the latest battle. They were supposed to come down more than a decade ago. The Thruway Authority is a reverse Robin Hood. The tolls siphon more than $11 million a year from our shallow pockets and funnel it to richer hands downstate. The Thruway Authority says it needs the tolls to maintain the roads.

Higgins brought his congressional muscle Monday to businessman Carl Paladino's recent lawsuit (backed by the county) to bring the booths down. Higgins sent a take-the-tolls-down letter to the governor with a hammer behind it: A threat to hold back the highway's federal dollars.

"This effort, like the fight against the Power Authority, will rebuild the community's confidence," said Higgins. "We're getting screwed again, and it's a continuing theme. If we allow it to continue, we have no one to blame but ourselves."

We've had odd alliances forged by a common cause: Get us out of our hole. Democrat Higgins was helped on the power authority fight by Republican fund-raiser Tony Gioia. Businessman Paladino's lawsuit upped the ante on an anti-toll battle begun by politician Dave Swarts. Sabres honcho Larry Quinn is a force on the local panel that took the waterfront reins from Albany bureaucrats.

"People are coalescing around the issue of fighting for ourselves," said Higgins. "If we don't fight for ourselves, nobody will fight for us."

I'm not blind. The global economy is taking huge chunks out of us. Delphi and GM are on the ropes. We're bleeding jobs and people. But some folks with muscle are starting to flex it. Whether it's claiming the waterfront or taking down toll booths, we're not taking it anymore.

A few more wins, and we might start believing in ourselves again.


e-mail: desmonde@buffnews.com

***

I love it when politicians say "screwed" lol. If that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.

If history is any indication Birmingham will get NFL before LA. The NFL has a way of shooting its self in the foot. Big cities do not need the prestige of the NFL. The NFL needs the big cities...so the dynamic gets screwed up because the little cities like Birmigham will do anything to get the prestige of the NFL and national recognition. The last round of team moves all went form bigger citiese to smaller cities. Even many of the expansion teams were in small markets.

So the prediction that < Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Hamilton, Toronto > will not have a nearby NFL team in favor of< Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville > is quite liekly.

This dynamic could end up working in Buffalo's favor because Buffalo is so screwed by the state the politicians will see this as an easy big ticket vote getter tby keeping the Bills in town. This keeps the people occupied while the walk out the back door with all the lfe sucked out of the area by bad government.

Too bad Birminham's not just in Mississippi, huh? It'd make the city seem so much better.

Why yes, there'd be legalized gambling! Sweet.

Those articles are excellent, sargeant. Tear down the tolls!

BTW, steel, Buffalo is a "little" city (in terms of the NFL) just like Birmingham -- and people in Buffalo talk about the Bills like they're sure prestigious or something... Hmm.

alright guys lets not start throwing bricks here.
we don't have to agree on everything.

i would certainly be upset if the bills moved but i think we can all agree that there are many more important things happening in western new york right now.

You're right, veryprotourism.

Besides, I've changed my mind... I don't think Birmingham should go after the Bills anymore... We'd want a team that wins :D

Oooh nice comeback. I think we all know the only thing they can do is effectively market and sell out a stadium for an entire season with a shit team.

Or you can take the attitude of the lawyers my girlfriend works for - according to them, the Bills and Sabres would be more successful if they were to move to Arizona or Florida. Yeah, because everything turns to gold there - even water (into dry, golden sand). I mean, look at the powerhouse that is the Cardinals. (Sports fact: If your team changes it's name, it's probably because they suck.)

Although a change in scenery sure worked for the Quebec Nordiques (though in fairness they were pretty good their last few years).

But seriously...

i would certainly be upset if the bills moved but i think we can all agree that there are many more important things happening in western new york right now.
I agree with that assessment. I used to be 10x the football fan I have now, but years of a mediocre team, and just plain growing up have all "taken their toll". I used to eat up anything NFL, now for the past few years I'm to the point where if the Bills aren't directly involved, I couldn't care less. Maybe it's from going to a hockey school, I dunno. Don't get me wrong, I'll ride the highs and lows of the Bills now just as I did then, it's just the rest of the league/game could disappear for all I care.

Part of it, I think, is that the NFL game isn't what it used to be, I know I'm going to sound like an old-timer here, but it's just not as fun. I miss the dynasties, the teams that sucked every year no matter what, players spending their entire careers with a single team; and kickers wearing those wimpy little single-bar helmets. When you had to actually build a team off the draft and adept trading to be successful and not simply just trying to catch lightning in a bottle by overpaying Deion Sanders and proclaiming yourself a contender, all for a one-year run. I think I know how Mike Ditka felt when he just couldn't put it together in a return to coaching.

Frankly I'd love an excuse not to be a football fan anymore, but losing the Bills is not the way I'd like it to happen.

But is it me, or did things just seem to be so much more a special relationship between the Bills and their fans in the 80's, even though what we call "sucky" now would have qualified for a veritable championship back then?

***
Speaking of coincidences, I'm doing a floodplain analysis for a subdivision right now (conflict of interest, huh? :)) What's more ironic, is it's on the site of the once-proposed domed football stadium in Lancaster.

Why yes, there'd be legalized gambling! Sweet.

Those articles are excellent, sargeant. Tear down the tolls!

BTW, steel, Buffalo is a "little" city (in terms of the NFL) just like Birmingham -- and people in Buffalo talk about the Bills like they're sure prestigious or something... Hmm.

Exactly! That is why the NFL is lickin there chops to get into Birmingham.

"Originally Posted by veryprotourism
i would certainly be upset if the bills moved but i think we can all agree that there are many more important things happening in western new york right now."

ummm...well sure there are important things going on in Buffalo but to lose the Bills would be the coup de grace for Buffalo. The economic impact would be pretty devastating and there are tons of people that still live here just because of the Bills. If the team moved or folded, we can kiss goodbye to ever gaining population again. It would be the final straw for many many people in this area.

As someone on the message board of the buffalo bills stated about this topic...

"through the years i've actually become completely numb to tragedy living in buffalo"

truer words could not be spoken for many of us...

are we still beating this horse???

i think losing the bills would be more of a blow to the egos of buffalonians than it would be anything else.

the fact is people are flocking to austin,tx. and portland,or. and las vegas, etc. and all these places suck ass for sports fans.
people are moving to these places for jobs, and in the case of portland for their quality of life.
yes people do look for sports(and other entertainment) when considering places to live.
i think first and foremost people look for a place where they can make a good living and live in a decent home.
remember that we got an NHL team and an NBA team in the 70's and that didn't stop us from losing 200,000 people metro wide over the next thirty years.

if we had solid job growth over an extended period of time, we would have population growth, sports teams or not.

Though I agree with your point, I think it has a lot to do with pride as well, if god forbid the Bills ever left, the wound it would leave behind to all of us around here, would be greater than any other I can imagine...

Jobs are definitely the key, along with creating an attractive and inviting physical environment. Hopefully, we appear to be getting on the right track for both of these items.

Though I agree with your point, I think it has a lot to do with pride as well, if god forbid the Bills ever left, the wound it would leave behind to all of us around here, would be greater than any other I can imagine...

yeah if you read the top of my post you'll see that i made note of the egos (pride) of buffalonians.

sports are a great thing for a city to have, but they are not everything.

personally the metro population falling below a million would do more damge to my pride. the fact that the eighth largest city in america is now the 60 somethingth is a pretty big blow to my pride.

^^ Headline on the radio mentioned the whole thing again, and also brought in a comment from Bill Polian saying Wilson has every right to be concerned, this whole revenue sharing is a major problem for all smaller market teams including his own (Indy).

While it's not a good thing, I suppose we can take solace in that it's not just happening to us this time around. After all, as Jerome pointed out earlier, about a whole third of the league is in a potentially worse situation than us. And of the smalls, we're probably not the best off, I wouldn't doubt there's another 1/3 of the teams somewhere above us in that ranking that could experience problems.

This is an issue the NFL is eventually going to have to come to grips with, unless they want to contract down to 10 teams. There aren't many empty markets remaining which would be big enough to "properly" support an NFL team with this revenue sharing arrangement. Theoretically LA for sure, but as my colleague from California was telling me today, LA is a totally different beast than other markets simply owing to the nature of the market out there. And it makes sense, how else could you explain what has been essentially 4 teams leaving (Chargers, Raiders, Rams to Anaheim, and then Rams leaving Anaheim), and a miserably failed expansion bid (Houston).

On top of all this, I like to think that relative fan support and the large Canadian market is something that may just be our saving grace.

On top of all this, I like to think that relative fan support and the large Canadian market is something that may just be our saving grace.

I absolutely agree, if it wasn't for southern ontario/toronto and Rochester...I think the Bills woulda left a long time ago.

Stable ownership helps too. To use Indy as an example again, I wouldn't feel too safe with those wackaloons in charge (still the Irsays, right?). I don't like Ralph very much, but he is conservative and relatively stable. Be thankful he's not a Reinsdorf, Steinbrenner, Davis, Jones, Snyder, etc... And Golisano would only be an improvement.

I mean if the Yankees, of all teams, can threaten a move (granted only across a river), that doesn't reserve much hope for the rest of us. To quote the Seinfeld episode "...threatening to move the team to New Jersey just to piss people off...".

sports teams give a city its status...it's how we think of other cities thru the year...don't we? well maybe not all of us but the general public...YES.

Because you are talking about pride, economics and overall perception...the owners of these teams have HUGE amounts of pull politically and even "pushy" places like Albany can be taken to the knees when the threat of loss of votes comes up. Personally, I think we will have the bills forever, the city is coming back and we are more likely to see a major expansion of the leauge before the bills go away...it just makes more sense. Look at the migration patterns to such cities that don't have teams...why not just expand the league and make the markets smaller across the board? more teams, more rivalries and in the end...the league can come to the hearts of more people...without the loss of those who could have been abandoned.

hey, it's my take.

well M&T Bank and National Fuel are the only two from the metro, the only from the city is M&T Bank.

I'm wondering, why don't we see HSBC on here?

56 M&T Bank Corp. 519 3,738.4 Buffalo
76 National Fuel Gas 795 2,048.0 Williamsville

btw... Rochester has Kodak (155), PayChex(991) and Constellation Brands(487) in the metro.

Well, National Fuel got their start in the city.

Bastards.

RSA Solutions adding staff
Business First of Buffalo - 6:57 AM EDT Thursdayby Tracey DruryBusiness First
After a period of shrinking employment, Amherst's RSA Mortgage Solutions Inc. is growing again.

The company, a subsidiary of Fiserv Lending Solutions, is creating 50 new jobs in the mortgage and home equity side of the business.

Late last year, the company announced it had split into two separate business units, with mortgage and home equity programs in the RSA Mortgage Solutions Inc. unit, and Fiserv Automotive Solutions Inc. providing automotive programs and services on the other side.

The new hires will put the analytics/mortgage side of the business over 200 associates, said Jill Kelly, vice president for human resources, who said growth in the mortgage and home equity services targeting the banking and mortgage industries is fueling the current hiring boom. Since the company began developing its total home equity solutions product, these last few months it has been in a growth mode, she said.

"Looking at our pipeline, we have some tremendous opportunity in the next coming months," she said. "We're launching this new product with one of our clients and we hope that will be our test case."

In a previous interview, President/CEO Andrew Shaevel said splitting the two business lines into separate companies gave the company the ability to grow again. Revenues at RSA shrank 40 percent from 2002 through 2005, while employment at the Williamsville facility dropped from 600 to about 320. Company officials blamed a weak auto sector and a change in business strategies.

The company, founded in 1991 as Remarketing Services of America Inc., is a unit of Brookfield, Wis.-based Fiserv Inc. It operates from a 140,000-square-foot facility built in 2001 to hold 1,000 employees. The hope is to fill those seats again as RSA Mortgage Solutions continues to market its services in the 49 states where it is licensed to offer mortgage brokerage services, Kelly said.

the fact that the eighth largest city in america is now the 60 somethingth is a pretty big blow to my pride.

Yet you must remember that at the time Buffalo was eighth in the country the entire population of Erie County was only around 400,000 and the city itself was just a wee bit over 300,000. The county is now at 950,000 per last census.

I'm wondering, why don't we see HSBC on here?

Because technically it is just a subsidiary of HSBC Corporation headquartered in London

More of a question than anything else:

Dinosaur Barbecue started in Syracuse. They later opened branches in Rochester and New York City. Why didn't they open a branch in Buffalo? You can get their sauces in Buffalo-area supermarkets (and here in Cleveland, too, at Tops of course, along with some other Buffalo specialties), and apparently it sells well. Still, no Dinosaur Barbecue in Buffalo. Are they taking a cue from other national chains and avoiding Buffalo "because it's too blue-collar," or is it something else.

I know there will be the standard response of "Who cares! [Someplace local] is better!" or "I'd rather have wings." Still, Dinosaur is an Upstate institution, and they're not in the largest metro in Upstate New York - a metro that happens to have one of the biggest "eating out" cultures in the country. Why?

Yet you must remember that at the time Buffalo was eighth in the country the entire population of Erie County was only around 400,000 and the city itself was just a wee bit over 300,000. The county is now at 950,000 per last census.

In 1950 the population of the city was estimated at 580,132
http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0027/tab18.txt

2003 estimate for the city is 285,018
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3611000.html

^^ You can get Dinosaur BBQ sauce in NH as well, or maybe I'm confusing that with Margaritas Hot Sauce. I can't remember now.

Judging by their wait times in Rochester, they could and should expand, maybe even within Rochester itself. My girlfriend went to SU, and said she was surprised by that because every time she went there they never had problems getting seated. I think it's just a matter of time. Whether I care is another issue - it'll be in Amherst, and no food is good enough for me to drive up there just for a meal (I'm weak, my tastes are too simple I suppose); also I'm not one for BBQ or hot food, I was just looking for a simple cheeseburger lol. (Which J&K Cafe in DT Rochester does a good job with, for anyone interested.)

Now, Zebb's - are they also Syracuse? (No, New Hartford therefore Utica.) They seem to have had no problem expanding here, in fact we're the only location they've opened two stores. Speaking of Zebb's, I may be going there tonight for a birthday.

BTW, no offense, but you really need to get over the "Who cares! [Someplace local] is better!" as your first pre-rebuttal with everything you present. It's quite irritating and places you no higher than the people who say it. It's just a parallel form of that ingrained "Buffalo defense mechanism" you always crusade against. I could just as easily rebutt "Why don't we have any national BBQ chains, and don't give me the 'I don't care, upstate's Dinosaur is better' response".

happy birthday sarge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

happy birthday sarge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Not mine lol

92 more days for me.

Yet you must remember that at the time Buffalo was eighth in the country the entire population of Erie County was only around 400,000 and the city itself was just a wee bit over 300,000. The county is now at 950,000 per last census.


i think you failed to see my point. maybe i didnt express it in the best way.
i don't think buffalo should be that big or powerful now. if it were it probably would not have many of the characterisitics that make it so great in my eyes.
it was just to point out that there are more important things for a city than sports, and that sports team or not the metro population has been dropping since the seventies and will continue to drop, sports teams or not, without long term, steady job growth.

if a giant steaming pile of dog shit offered numerous employment opportunities, people would flock to it. just look at las vegas.

hell you guys watch hockey, you know how many sabres fans you see in the stands at away games. i think thats a testament to how many people have left buffalo and how even though they still love buffalo sports, it wasn't enough to keep them here.

oh, "for A birthday."
my bad.
well a very merry un-birthday to you then.

it was just to point out that there are more important things for a city than sports, and that sports team or not the metro population has been dropping since the seventies and will continue to drop, sports teams or not, without long term, steady job growth.

You are right on the money.

Mmmmmmmmm.... steaming pile of dog shit with jobs... :drool:

What about cat turds with jobs?

Mmmmmmmmm.... steaming pile of dog shit with jobs... :drool:

What about cat turds with jobs?
that would be Birmingham

Ouch! Now that was low lol.

Hey BuffCity -

Ashley Furniture to expand in Batavia
By JONATHAN D. EPSTEIN
News Business Reporter
4/6/2006

Ashley Furniture Homestores will build an assembly and distribution center in Batavia, adding 76 new jobs, the company and Empire State Development Corp. have announced.
Ashley, a licensee of Wisconsin-based Ashley Furniture, said it will spend more than $4 million to construct a 100,000-square-foot facility in Gateway II Corporate Park, near the Thruway interchange, to serve stores throughout the region.

Currently, the company, which makes its furniture in China and elsewhere, ships components to stores where the furniture is assembled in the back of many of its retail showrooms. The new facility will replace that method with a consolidated assembly operation, while keeping 35 existing assembly and distribution jobs that were at the stores.

"We are very pleased to announce our expansion here in Batavia," Tim Quinn, vice president of operations at Ashley Furniture Homestores, said in a press release. "It is a tremendous undertaking for us."

The company said it had considered locations outside of New York state, including Pennsylvania. But officials opted for Batavia because of the available work force and a combination of incentives from Empire State Development, the governor's Office for Small Cities and the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Ashley, which is eligible for Empire Zone benefits because of the site's location, can also apply for a low-interest Job Development Authority loan of up to $1.2 million to support the project and will receive a $540,000 award from the Office for Small Cities. The agencies also worked with Buffalo Niagara Enterprise.

"To me, any job that we can save and create in New York state is extremely significant," said Jack Kinnicutt, regional director in Empire State Development's Finger Lakes Office. "Am I pleased that it's happening in my region? You betcha."

The project is also a coup for Genesee County and the Batavia area, which last year was ranked No. 3 in the country for the fastest-growing "micropolitan" area by Site Selection magazine.

"This is a really terrific project for Genesee County and the Batavia micropolitan area," said Steven Hyde, CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center. "It's really going to do a lot for our economy."

Founded in 1945, Ashley Furniture Industries is the largest retailer of home furniture in North America with sales of more than $3 billion. The company has six manufacturing facilities nationwide, with 5 million square feet of space.

All retail outlets are independently owned and operated licensees under Ashley Furniture Homestores, which has over 200 locations nationwide, including five in upstate New York. The licensee in Western New York, Wellsville businessman Steven M. Kane, owns stores in Amherst, Olean and Horseheads and plans to open in Orchard Park. The company is also seeking to expand into the Rochester and Syracuse markets.


e-mail: jepstein@buffnews.com

no offense guys but hearing about every stupid little company addiing a few jobs is a bit boring. Lets talk builidings.

If Golisano buys the bills look for a new stadium along the thruway about 2/3 of the way to Batavia from Buffalo (still in Erie County)

^^ I can see it now:

The Paychex Coliseum at Alden

I called it.

***

I didn't post the Ashley bit for sake of development "news", just a shout out to Batavia. I normally don't pay much attention to those myself.

no offense guys but hearing about every stupid little company addiing a few jobs is a bit boring. Lets talk builidings.

If Golisano buys the bills look for a new stadium along the thruway about 2/3 of the way to Batavia from Buffalo (still in Erie County)
Without the building block of jobs there will be no new building announcements. 50 jobs here or there will do a heck of a lot more for Buffalo "Development" than a 10 loft rehab of a derelict building ever will.

still...its boring...lets see buildings

that would be Birmingham

Oh no, I've been insulted by a provincial Western New Yorker who's world view ends at Chautauqua County border. Whatever will I do?

Oh no, I've been insulted by a provincial Western New Yorker who's world view ends at Chautauqua County border. Whatever will I do?
I guess it's your Birmingham pride that leads you to call yourself DallasTexan

Oh no, I've been insulted by a provincial Western New Yorker who's world view ends at Chautauqua County border. Whatever will I do?

Hey, you're the one that started it, ripping on WNY and homering for Birmingham. Btw, I love Chautauqua County!

I guess it's your Birmingham pride that leads you to call yourself DallasTexan

Nope. When I joined the forum, I lived in Dallas... I've actually lived in in various parts of the country, wow!

Hey, you're the one that started it, ripping on WNY and homering for Birmingham. Btw, I love Chautauqua County!

Hey, like we said last night on AIM, I know that Birmingham's not going to get an NFL team - I was just arguing that yes, the city could support such a franchise.

BUF / BOS / ORD / MID

Hey, like we said last night on AIM, I know that Birmingham's not going to get an NFL team - I was just arguing that yes, the city could support such a franchise.
There are probably 20 empty markets that could. Problem is, no big ones, or at least ones big enough (and with a proven track record) that could truly prosper under this current arrangement. Buffalo is not alone. Birmingham would be in the same boat, along with us, Cincy, Cleveland (?), Pittsburgh, Indy, KC (?), Detroit, Mpls (?), GB, JAX, NO, etc.

Heck, even the Bay area teams have their issues. That's depressing.

DT - Didja forget something? Where's "DFW" in your location list? :) (Unless you typo'd DTW - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Cty Arpt)

So I've lived closest to O01, PTD, CON, and currently am closest to N34.

However, officially, US airports (major ones at least) are prefixed with a "K". i.e. KBUF, KBOS, KBNA, KORD, KMDW, etc. Canada "C", such as CYYZ, CYUL, eyc.

I Left in Buffalo 6 Months ago and things are getting worst . It's gotta be the most
Depressed City In The Country (the highest Taxed & politicaly
Corupt city) thats why it's Bleeding population & Jobs. (and it's going to get
a lot worst) I Here that Erie County Deficit for 2007 is around $ 50 to 60 Million
and it's only the 1st Week of April (No Problem, Just keep raising Taxes) anyways
lets talk about Buffalo's buildings, for every one thats been Revamped & turned in to LOFT apartment (Not much else Happing) their 1000s of empy strip Plazas, Vacant buildings, from Business that Closed up or Left or went Under, and They want to keep the Bills (Buffalo's market is so depressed they couldn't even keep their own sports Network rembember the Empire Sports Network ! and then theirs The Buffalo & Erie County control Boards (It so screwed up that half of the Erie County Control board resigned and they can't Find NO ONE THATS WANT'S TAKE THEIR PLACES ! The Bass Pro project has stalled for the last 2 years and Buffalo, Erie County Keep begging them to come ( geez ain't giving Bass Pro 66 Million enough?) SO wonders Ralph want's to move BILLS !

uh oh... looks like Buffalo has their own Susie now.

There are probably 20 empty markets that could. Problem is, no big ones, or at least ones big enough (and with a proven track record) that could truly prosper under this current arrangement. Buffalo is not alone. Birmingham would be in the same boat, along with us, Cincy, Cleveland (?), Pittsburgh, Indy, KC (?), Detroit, Mpls (?), GB, JAX, NO, etc.

Heck, even the Bay area teams have their issues. That's depressing.

DT - Didja forget something? Where's "DFW" in your location list? :) (Unless you typo'd DTW - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Cty Arpt)

So I've lived closest to O01, PTD, CON, and currently am closest to N34.

However, officially, US airports (major ones at least) are prefixed with a "K". i.e. KBUF, KBOS, KBNA, KORD, KMDW, etc. Canada "C", such as CYYZ, CYUL, eyc.


Sadly, I ran outta room, and I like Detroit better than Dallas, so I put it instead!

maybe it is susie...

obviously its Susie

does anyone have a feeling that since this guy (who misspelled even his screen name)left Buffalo's prospects might be on the upswing.

does anyone have a feeling that since this guy (who misspelled even his screen name)left Buffalo's prospects might be on the upswing.

Was thinking the same thing....obviouslly wasn't the sharpest tool in the WNY tool shed. :D

^^ Like that handsaw you find when you're cleaning out your garage on the first nice "spring cleaning" day of the year, you know the one your grandfather gave you that has no teeth left and can't even crease paper. Yet you keep it anyways, afterall the guy built his house with it.

Like when the fat guy gets out of the rowboat and the draft suddenly lurches upward...

Lemme see here...

1000's of vacant buildings per renovation? How big were we? As big as NYC?

Businesses that closed up? Welcome to 21st century America. Coast to coast chain store strip mall.

Empire folded because of Adelphia's dealings. I have no doubt in my mind they could still be successful, btw they were leagues ahead of MSG and NESN.

Contol board turmoil because Albany's setup has rendered them virtually useless & powerless. Buffalo's is a successful example with results to back it up, IMO.

Population loss is a mere trickle compared to what it was 10-20 years ago.

Job growth (albeit slight) doesn't categorize as "bleeding". Manufacturing jobs here are actually doing at least as well as the national average.

Empty strip plazas? Hamburg (aka vacant strip plaza capital of the USA) has lined up tenants to fill up ALOT in just the past few months.

County deficit? GOOD. People here aren't gonna put up with much more without seeing results, so it'll either force a merger or at least starve them into frugality.

Bass Pro is finally happening.

Waterfront is finally happening. Includes the ancillary Erie Canal Harbor, stalled for good purpose and now progressing ahead of schedule.

Anti-toll revolt is finally happening.

Peace Bridge is finally happening.

US-219 is finally happening.

East side is actually showing a glimmer of hope.

Local Congressman with the sheer balls and moxie to literally say we're "getting screwed". Forget that fat-ass Fucillo, the NYPA relicensing is HUUUUUGEE.

Ralph has never wanted to move the Bills. It's his children that pose a threat.

Bills are directionlessly wallowing in circles. Wait, that's not good.

But the Sabres are part of the "next generation" of NHL teams. Wait'n see.

The magic word: Golisano. (Think Pee-Wee's Playhouse: Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!)

***

That's how I felt 6 months after I left (though I wasn't so pissy negative, I just wanted out). Took me almost 3 years to figure out where I belonged. Then 3 sent resumes to area engineering firms, 3 weeks, 1 interview, 1 job offer, and 3 weeks later I was back. Can't imagine it would have been any easier in Charlotte (in which I looked for postings just for S&G and turned up NIL).

Grow up or shut up, 'cause we ain't gonna put up. There's a reason, I think, why our City Hall looks like it's flipping the bird. Until then, good riddance.

Enjoy wherever you are now, wait'll your taxes start rising too. They will, sure as death and the birds flying south for the winter. Whereto will you move then? Somewhere with a better school system, hopefully.

Former WNYer = Current WYNer

Okay, Buffalo wins on ONE thing... I am now horribly sick with a sinus infection down here in the South because of all the flowers and trees blooming :(

*hack*

Where's my dead grass and trees when I need 'em?

*wheez*

^^ Actually I thought it was quite amusing back on Christmas when I was down in Columbia, and our grass was literally greener than theirs (which was bright brown). (They did have a brutally dry summer, in their defense, though not that ours was much better.) Which was interesting regardless of the fact that we could actually see our grass probably 70% of the winter.

Could be the changing air pressure too, isn't there another squall line of severe weather in the lower midwest getting set to run through there again? I know when it storms down there, you don't get cheaped out, it storms.

Yeah, there is... and the storms down here definitely are brutal... I was delayed 6 1/2 hours at BWI on Friday because of them.

Sorry for the Typo's, but it's because i'm laughting so hard ,
you people are funny or dreaming !!!!!!

Did Bass Pro sign on the dotted Line yet ? why not ? ain't 66 Milllion enough

the Property Taxes are the Highest in the US and they are going
to go up even more. Every Time I have to come Back to Erie County ( I notice more & more Empty Buildings, I here about more places going out
of the Business even your Own Buffalo Evening newspaper admits
that Buffalo is Bleeding Jobs & population! ALSO BUFFALO IS GOT
THE Nick name "APPALACHIA"

Re: Population, is their any young people left ?
honestly, I see fewer & fewer Young People in their 20s & 30s
mostly all you see are people over 60 9 of 10 people are over 60


more to come later

Okay, Buffalo wins on ONE thing... I am now horribly sick with a sinus infection down here in the South because of all the flowers and trees blooming :(

*hack*

Where's my dead grass and trees when I need 'em?

*wheez*
Sorry DT, but you can't come back for that either. The daffodils are already blooming here.

:D

more to come later
Ohhhh whooopidy doo-dah, dippity day! Yippee kai-ehhh kai-ooh! Looking forward to it for some laughs of my own. Barely worth the pixels on my monitor.

We are occasionally funny, we do dream (what are you without dreams? Nothing wrong with dreaming, without, it's guaranteed nothing will happen), and we take things at face value.

"We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams"

Highest property taxes pfffft. Maybe in rate, but not in gross. And unless I'm mistaken, it's the gross that actually comes out of your pocket, not the rate. You're not going to pay nearly 10k a year in property taxes on a trailer here like you do in NH. Own a 5000 sq ft McMansion? Good, you deserve to pay it.

Appalachia is not a nickname. It is a comparison that has finally been drawn. Only a low-grade nincompoop (now there's a word you don't hear nearly enough any more) like yourself would not appreciate it for what the comment actually means/represents.

As for 60 year olds, how about Florida, aka "The Raindrop State", "America's Wang", or most pertinently, "Where America goes to die"?

Just don't waste too much of your time in your vastly improved life. And don't waste your time coming back. Hopefully the Senecas block the Thruway again next time.

Just curious there "fprmer WNYer" (dumbass couldn't even spell his name right), exactly what utopia have you moved on to?

My guess(es):

He joined the Movementarians (from The Simpsons), and rode the spaceship to Blisstonia, "where we all live lives of uninterrupted happiness...".

Either that or Hank Scorpio's Globex-workforce city, Cypress Creek. "Look at this dump. When will somebody build a city that works?...Well somebody did...welcome to Cypress Creek!"

Just ignore fprmer. He/She/It is just a loser Troll.

He does make one good point though... I've never seen so many OLD PEOPLE as I have in Buffalo.

They're so annoying... and usually obnoxiously Polish. They all need to go to Florida or something, ugh.

DT - how many times do we have to tell you... 35 is not "old"!

I signed the Bass Pro deal tonight...finally.

I think that guy is just DT doing his southerner imitation

back to some development now guys? I will even take some crappy new jobs reports from some sausage factory if you have them.

Yeah, a new Wal-Mart is being built on the site of Central Terminal -- also included will be a new location of Wanda's Wigs 'N Shit, Dollar Shrub, and LeRoy's House of Fixins...

If only we had that much funk.

;)

...buffalo sucks :blahblah:
...its everyones fault but my own :blahblah:
...i left cuz everywhere else is soooo much better :blahblah:

you know "fprmer drain on wnyers", you really should :cheers: a little less next time you post. if you couldn't find a job here it it probably because you spelled everything wrong on the application. its too bad more employers aren't sympathetic to the learning disabled. i still don't see why you moved away, what the welfare system wasn't good enough for you?

at least DT's buffalo bashing is somewhat witty and mildly amusing. at least i can read his writing.

...at least DT's buffalo bashing is somewhat witty and mildly amusing. at least i can read his writing.
Generally his criticisms, along with Cyb and the occasional other criticism here, as I see it, are reasonably good-natured and usually constructive; or at least based on qualified observation. Besides if we were all agreeing about everything and delusional enough to proclaim Buffalo as "the land of milk & honey", his forum would be the most boring thing on God's green earth. It also doesn't hurt that these guys seem to have something better than 1st grade grammar. Even Susie, IMO, seems to be a reasonably intelligent person with good grammar, which at least makes her rantings readable, irrespective of how much credence you want to give them.

Just ignore fprmer. He/She/It is just a loser Troll.
I agree with that though and I will refrain from acknowledgement from now on. I was just talking advantage of an opportunity to have a little fun, especially since it's been a while since I've been able to go after my ol' buddy ol' pal CanadaHabs.

I do think it's freakin' hilarious, however, that you could spell your handle incorrectly. Even if you were laughing so heartily, geesh get a hold of yourself for 2 seconds to ensure your spelling is correct or at least reasonable. He/she/it looks like a damn fool even before you read the meaningless content within the post. F'ckin' uckin' eh mucka lucka lay lol.

I do have an experiment for you, though, fprmer: Close your eyes, and don't listen to the news. Carefully watch your pocketbook. I'll bet you the US deficit that you don't notice the difference between Buffalo and Blisstonia in the course of your lethargic, apathetic, civically irresponsible day.

And don't let the door smack your ass on the way out.

****

As for old people, come on. OK, Polish ones, I'll agree, we have more than our fair share. Florida has hurricanes, SoCal has earthquakes, we have old Pollocks lol. But they're (old people) everywhere, why do you think there's so much talk of a demographic nightmare in this country re: healthcare, social security, etc. Take a trip to NH, another old fart haven. If there were a Concord Development Thread on here, half of it would be suburban-style retirement home constructions (probably finished 5 in my last year there, several more were planned). I don't know if they don't like the heat in Florida, or they can't afford to leave, but man, there are alot of them. And they're always at Market Basket clogging the bread aisle.

Dollar Shrub, huh. I think I saw one of those next to Bramble City Distributors. Could be some price wars, you know!

The Truth Hurts !
The Sad Reality is that
it's really hard to find a more depressed area then Erie County NY
Pretty much the rest of the country is booming! everywhere i've been is
doing great! Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) Phoenix Arizona (Marcopla County)
Dallas/ Fort Worth TX, Norfolk, & Richmond Virigina, Fayettevile NC, Atlanta GA
all have Tons & Tons & Tons of new buildings and new business going up in every direction as far as the eye can see ! Even Chicago Cook County which is losing Population isn't even as half as bad as Erie County NY Aleast their's alot of new Business's & their building a few new Sky Scrapers
The Only plan to turn Erie County Around is the waterfront (that's so patholic,)
the problem is that Buffalo Summer season is very short ( if your lucky you got
3 or 4 Months of Good weather. (June, July, August, & maybe the last week in May
& 1st week in Sept. That's It ! ( who in their right mind want's to be down their
in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, & the better parts of Oct & Mar, When it's Below freezing
Bitter Cold Wind Chills & Snow Blowing of Lake Erie, Really, their use to a bar
& Restaurant their which was Booming in the Summer. but Dead during the cold weather so they have had 3 or 4 differents owners & names ( The Pier, Shooters, Breakers) Now the Building has been torn down & theirs absolutely nothing their.
Just Pipe Dreams, (theirs' very little Private or no private sector investment, that's
why WaterFront will never become reality. the only little bit of progress is comimg
from State & Federal hand outs & lawsuits filed to make the NYS Power Authority give
money to the city. That's it .( but tons & tons of nice pictures & dreams)
Even if Bass Pro does Come (which Bass Pro want's 66 Million of taxpayers money)
+ want's they want city to pay for the cost of removing all the abestos, striping the
Aud to just it's shell & For the Large Glass windows. + a clause that they can close the store in 2 years with no strings attached (because it's a big risk & their not sure they can make money)

obviously its Susie
I think it's Roc guy the posts were only 3 minutes apart.

Honestly, why would anyone waste their time and energy by going into a thread and bashing a city that other people like. If Fprmer WNYer is so happy with his (or her) new life somewhere else, then he (or she) should be in a thread somewhere else talking about how great things are. Fprmer obviously has a bone to pick with WNY. I'm guessing that Fprmer couldn't keep a job here due to lack of education. Either that, or he/she has some kind of a wacked white-trash family here in Buffalo who he/she hates.

BTW, Fprmer, if you don't know the difference between there, their, and they're, that's not a typo. That's stupidity. Why don't you post in this thread when you're capable of actually reading a newspaper and perhaps formulating a sentence in a mature manner.

I would rather have Suzie than Fqrmer. Buffalo can't ever catch a break.

Here's a suggestion - ignore every single comment made by the troll. He/she will give up eventually.

Possible expansion of the Pierce Arrow Museum...

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Cultured dairy products operation is headed to West Seneca

By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Business Reporter
4/7/2006
Ronald J. Colleran/Buffalo News

The last containers of cottage cheese, chip dip, yogurt and sour cream will roll off production lines at the Upstate Farms Cooperative plant in downtown Buffalo later this month.
The dairy products producer, which is relocating to a state-of-the-art, $32 million plant in West Seneca, will cease production at its 194 Scott St. facility on April 17.

"We're been transitioning to the new plant for several months and will complete the move by relocating the remaining product lines," said Mark Serling, Upstate's director of marketing.

The dairy cooperative, which is owned by some 400 dairy farmers around the region, announced in 2002 that the 40-year-old, multifloor Scott Street plant was too small and poorly configured for long-term operations. After weighing expansion and relocation options, Upstate opted to build a brand new 165,000-square-foot plant in West Seneca's North America Center industrial park.

Upstate gained control of the Buffalo facility in 1983 when it acquired Bison Foods, a veteran, family-owned maker of Bison Brand chip dips, sour cream and cottage cheese. Those Bison products, as well as multiple type of yogurt sold under the Upstate label, have continued to be made at the plant.

Prior to its phased move to West Seneca, Upstate had employed as many as 144 workers at the city cultured products plant. The cooperative's Buffalo work force is now down to some 40 staffers.

The Scott Street plant also produces certified Kosher products for Mehadrin Dairy, a wholesale food business. The company, based in New York, has rabbis on site at the Upstate plant to oversee the Kosher production process. Mehadrin will relocate its specialized staff to the new West Seneca complex as part of the Upstate move.

With the end of production now days away, Upstate also confirmed that it has signed a sale contract with Buffalo businessman James T. Sandoro. The deal, which is said to be in the $500,000 range, is expected to be finalized this summer.

Sandoro, who operates the Buffalo Transportation/Pierce Arrow Museum at Michigan Avenue and Seneca Street, said he's been in talks with Upstate for over three years.

"It's interesting to me because it mirrors the property we own on the other side of the CSX rights-of-way. There could be potential there to add an historic rail component to the museum and link the two via an overhead walkway," Sandoro said. "It's certainly worth exploring."

He is also looking into the feasibility of trolley service and exhibits as part of an expanded transportation museum.

The three-acre Upstate property extends approximately 1,200 feet along Scott Street, from Michigan Street east toward Chicago Street. The production buildings and parking lots are tucked under the elevated portion of the I-190 and a swath of vacant land runs along the rail corridor.

Sandoro said in the short-term he'll investigate alternative uses for the 60,000-square-foot food production building, particularly the facility's 15,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse.

"There is probably someone out there looking for high-quality, refrigerated warehouse space. It's something we'll explore before we get into the expensive process of removing it," Sandoro said.

Upstate, which expects its production of cultured dairy products to double at its much larger West Seneca plant, will continued to produce its milk-based fluid products at its plant on Dale Road in Cheektowaga.

Upstate's roster of milk products ranges from white and flavored milks to single-serve milk drinks to eggnog, buttermilk, and ice cream bases for restaurant use.

Overall, the cooperative employs more than 600 workers at its production and milk collection facilities.


e-mail: slinstedt@buffnews.com

Well now if the Erie Cty legislature is against it... (as if that means anything)...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
County lawmakers add to chorus seeking end to Thruway barriers

By MATTHEW SPINA
News Staff Reporter
4/7/2006

The Erie County Legislature on Thursday joined the chorus demanding the removal of toll barriers on the Niagara Thruway, agreeing that the toll creates an unfair commuter tax imposed nowhere else in New York.
The Legislature itself cannot end the toll, and its statement, approved 14-1, is similar to the desires for a toll-free Niagara Thruway voiced in previous years by other Erie County Legislatures. But ever since downtown developer Carl P. Paladino and County Executive Joel A. Giambra announced Feb. 27 that they would sue the Thruway Authority, the community and politicians of many stripes have rallied to the cause.

"Stop lying to us in Erie County," Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-Buffalo, said during a floor debate, speaking to a Thruway Authority miles away in Albany. "Start giving us the truth. And start by removing those tolls that should have been removed 10 years ago."

The lawsuit, initiated by Paladino and joined later by Giambra, centers on the argument that the Thruway Authority and the state Department of Transportation ignored a state law passed in 1968 to remove the Ogden and Breckenridge toll booths if the federal government ever reimbursed New York State for the cost of building them.

Paladino, Giambra and their lawyer, Michael B. Powers of the firm Phillips Lytle, say the 1968 Niagara Toll Removal Act was later ignored when Congress in the 1990s authorized millions of dollars for the state Thruway while allowing the tolls to remain systemwide after 1996.

The Thruway Authority's executive director, Michael R. Fleischer, countered recently that those "illusory pots of money" never did materialize for the Thruway. "We're willing to have a public discussion about this," he said, "but it's got to be based on fact."

Since then, Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, said he has found proof that the authority indeed has taken federal aid, budgeting $159.4 million in 2004 and $49 million this year. Further, the federal government spent $193.8 million on Niagara Thruway projects alone from 1975 to 2005, said Higgins, who contends that users of Interstate 190 are charged twice: through the 75-cent toll and through federal gasoline taxes.

"Should an agency that doesn't know how much federal funding it receives be trusted with that funding?" he asked in a statement Thursday. "The serious inconsistencies and blatant falsities that the Thruway Authority has responded to me with are inexcusable."

Another Thruway Authority spokesman, Dan Gilbert, said last week that Congress restricted the federal aid to certain uses and that the money was not to be used to remove tolls.

Democrats in the County and State legislatures are pressing Republican Gov. George E. Pataki to end the toll.

"It is something you could simply achieve with a stroke of a pen or with a single phone call," Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, said in a letter to the governor. "I implore you to do what is only fair and what is right for the people of Western New York."

Governors from both parties have continually chosen to retain Thruway tolls, County Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, R-Amherst, said Thursday. The Thruway Authority borrows money for myriad state government needs, road repairs among them, and state officials want to protect that source of revenue. In the early 1990s, then-Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, a Democrat, empaneled a commission to find reasons to continue Thruway tolls beyond their scheduled end in 1996. The panel included a representative from the union for toll collectors.

Thruway officials have said tolls must remain as long as loans are outstanding, to keep the promise made to the buyers of those Thruway Authority bonds. But Paladino says a burden should not be placed on the users of I-190 so the Niagara Toll Removal Act can continue being ignored.

"The whole other issue associated with this is the issue of fairness," Giambra said before he, Paladino and Powers began a news conference late Thursday. "This is the only community where you have to pay that type of toll to come into an urban center."

To approve their statement of support for the lawsuit by Giambra and Paladino, county lawmakers had to set aside, for the moment, their disagreement with Giambra over whether he can hire outside lawyers without their consent - a rule legislators imposed last year.

Giambra's county attorney at the time said the law is null and void since any erosion of the county executive's authority requires a referendum. Some Democratic lawmakers have not given up, and their statement originally said that it "authorizes" Giambra to spend up to $35,000 to pay Powers. The wording was stricken when County Attorney Laurence K. Rubin reminded lawmakers that their authority is not needed.

Legislator Daniel M. Kozub, D-Lackawanna, cast the only vote against the statement, saying he supports the removal of tolls but does not support governments or agencies suing each other when they have other ways to work out their differences.

Also Thursday, more than 40 members of the Erie County Democratic Committee meeting in Ellicott Square voted unanimously to support a resolution urging that the toll barriers be eliminated.


e-mail: mspina@buffnews.com

Off topic, but I wanted to get everybodies opinion on something...

I have lived at Holling Place since July of last year. I was recently given the opportunity to renew my lease, at a new rate that is 48 dollars more/month. Granted, it's extremely inexpensive to live here. But if you take all of the income restrictions into consideration, I don't feel that they're in any position to raise the rent. I live in a two-bedroom by myself, and therefor cannot make any more than 22,500/year. My rent was 640/month, and will go up to 688/month. I pay to park in the lot next door for 65/month. My gas bills throughout the colder months were between 150-170/month, while my neighbors were around 30 (I'm on one of the highest floors at the front of the building facing the direction of the lake - and therefore facing the lake wind, whereas my neighbors only have windows on the side of the building facing south.) I don't pay a gass bill in the warm months when the heat is off. Average electric bill is around 40.

If I wanted to find a roomate, the two of us combined couldn't make over around 25,500 combined. So imagine two people who make about 12,500 each - able to afford upwards of 400/month just for living?

Although I might be an exception to the rule because my parents help me out with rent while I'm in college, do you guys feel that they're in any position to raise the rent given the income restriction if you factor in all other monthly expenses? I didn't even mention car payment, insurance, gas, groceries, etc...

I'm just sort of wondering how they filled this building up as fast as they did, and who actually makes less than 22,500 if they're living on their own but is able to afford everything (including all expenses).

Initially, I was very concerned that the building would fill up with derelicts who were on section 8 - but it's mostly people in their 20s, fresh out of college or in grad school - seemingly most of which come from very comfortable backgrounds.

Fair or not?

just another example of the suburbs getting a free ride on the back of the city

...mostly people in their 20s, fresh out of college or in grad school - seemingly most of which come from very comfortable backgrounds.
Sounds possibly like kids who come from money, possibly with their parents chipping in for a cheaper place to live while they can still stay on their own. Only way I can think to easily explain it. I'm sure you could live a pretty frugal life and get by ok, though; especially if you don't have a car. As long as there are no rich-bitches or JAPS (Jewish American PrincesseS) from L.I., I guess it doesn't bother me.

But basic economics would tell you raising that rent doesn't make sense. I know alot of places I've been would not rent out if the rent was more than 33% of your income (something like that anyways). They may need to restructure their system or raise the limit or something.

I think I would not own a car if I only made 22,000 / year

Although I might be an exception to the rule because my parents help me out with rent while I'm in college, do you guys feel that they're in any position to raise the rent given the income restriction if you factor in all other monthly expenses?
When they first opened those apts I thought the rent was too high for the income restrictions. I earned more than 22K in my first job and money was fairly tight with my rent at around $575 (i ended up getting a cheaper apartment)

$688/mo for someone restricted to 22K maximum is very high. Especially since it doesn't include utils or parking. A $20,000 salary would get maybe $15,000 take home pay. Rent at 688/mo is over 8,000 for the year, plus $800 for parking, plus utilities, food, insurance (just the basics here...) There not much left over.

I assumed everyone in that building was college grads with their parents funding the rent... or else people that are really good at hiding other income. Anyone making 20K with no outside financial help could not afford it. They'd be spending all their net income on housing and have little left over.

I think it's Roc guy the posts were only 3 minutes apart.

What are you nuts? Why would I say those things about Buffalo? They are only a few minutes apart because I had clicked on the Buffalo thread when I saw there had been a recent update.

I know I said I'd abstain from comment, for as Stephen Colbert would say, "you are dead to me", but curiousity has gotten the better of me....everywhere i've been is
doing great! Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) Phoenix Arizona (Marcopla County)
Dallas/ Fort Worth TX, Norfolk, & Richmond Virigina, Fayettevile NC, Atlanta GA
An honest question with no degrading intentions - If these areas are prospering so well, and were so great to you, how come you've had to move so many times?

Looks to me like sure, it's easy to find a job, the opportunities are great. But either the job sucks, you lose the job, or something (either positive or negative) transpires to cause you to move.

I notice that alot with these transplants, they seldom seem to stay in the same "transplanted" place. Heck, even my own grandparents, who moved solely for retirement (and who are moving back), have moved a few times.

OK, back to abstinence.

Looking at the places he's lived, I'm going to assume he is/was in the military at some point.

Okay, I'm ready to come home.... Tornados are no fun :cry:

Looking at the places he's lived, I'm going to assume he is/was in the military at some point.
Definitely possible.

As for the tornados - did you actually get/see one? I've always had a curiousity towards them, I actually think it would be neat to see one, as long as it's out in the middle of nowhere and safely in the distance...

We get lots of waterspouts on Lake Erie, but I've yet to actually see one.

Yeah, I saw one. Nashville's pretty torn up right now -- my house escaped with only some shutters and several roof shingles blown off and a gutter torn loose. FORTUNATELY my classic Jaguar was in the garage at the time of the hail and escaped undamaged *phew*

My parents just called, they flew down there for the weekend...hell of a weekend to go I guess.

I'll take a blizzard over that shit anytime. :)

Definitely possible.

As for the tornados - did you actually get/see one? I've always had a curiousity towards them, I actually think it would be neat to see one, as long as it's out in the middle of nowhere and safely in the distance...

We get lots of waterspouts on Lake Erie, but I've yet to actually see one.

I saw one in PA about 10 years ago...it wasn't a a huge destructive one, but it was pretty fat and just slowly rotating in a field next to the road we were driving on. It was really cool, especially knowing that it wasn't going to get us.

Yeah maybe it's just morbid tendencies that everyone has (come on, admit it). While I don't care for people getting hurt (usually), it really is nice to see Mother Nature kicking us cocky humans in the pants every now and again.

I did read though that a few tornados cut through the Nashville area. I didn't know you were there though, I thought you said you were in Atlanta. Missouri, however, has been decked this year. On TWC Friday morning, they had a feature how MO usually has 3-4 reported tornados at this point, this year they had almost 70.

Missouri, however, has been decked this year. On TWC Friday morning, they had a feature how MO usually has 3-4 reported tornados at this point, this year they had almost 70.

Yeah, good thing I didn't move to Kansas City like I was only hours away from doing.

I'm glad to hear Governor Spitzer step up today and say he'll get rid of the I-190 tolls with "expediency." The $11 million that the Thruway Authority would lose would be made up just by cutting waste...says Spitzer. Brian Higgins seemed confident they'll be gone within 1 year.

I'm glad to hear Governor Spitzer step up today and say he'll get rid of the I-190 tolls with "expediency." The $11 million that the Thruway Authority would lose would be made up just by cutting waste...says Spitzer. Brian Higgins seemed confident they'll be gone within 1 year.
Do you have a source to quote on that?

Forgive me for being skeptical, I am after all a dyed and true Buffalonian. Gotta hold to the roots! Not like I ever have reason to drive through those tolls anyways, they're actually more out of my way than anything. It's the principle of the matter.

I have to admit I'm coming around to Spitzer (not that I ever really disliked him). The fact that he had the guts to come out with that Appalachia comment comes to mind first.

I still would like to hear more from Suozzi though, he's still my first choice at the moment. I'm no huge fan of putting Long Islanders in office, but the man has results:

Public Officials of the Year 2005: Tom Suozzi - High Voltage Transformer (http://www.governing.com/poy/2005/suozzi.htm)

Fix Albany! (http://www.fixalbany.com/)

But anyone, even Giambra or Masiello, would be better than William Weld.

^ I just saw it on the news an hour ago.

http://www.wkbw.com/Story.aspx?type=ln&NStoryID=11020

But anyone, even Giambra or Masiello, would be better than William Weld.
I had a nice convo with Tony Masiello the other day...he says he's back in the salting business and doing some lobbying.

And whats the deal with William Weld...why would we want to elect a former governor of another state? We have some of the richest and powerful Republicans in the entire country right here in NYS, yet we can't find one to put up in this election.