Buffalo Development News

[wny]

Study says Seneca's impact tops $1.1B

Business First of Buffalo - by James Fink Business First
The Seneca Nation of Indians has emerged as one of the region's largest employers and economic forces.

According to an economic impact study released Tuesday by the Seneca Nation of Indians, the tribe generated $1.136 billion in 2007 revenues while employing 6,311 people on a full-time basis. Just on employment figures alone, the Seneca Nation dwarfs HSBC Bank, M&T Bank and the Catholic Health System.

The bulk of the Senecas employment and economic strength comes from the three casinos it operates in the Buffalo Niagara region, which collectively has nearly 4,300 workers. Gaming revenues toppped $600 million last year.

"Unfortunately, not many people have taken the time to see what our numbers and our impact is," said Seneca Nation President Maurice John Sr.

John said Seneca employment has increased by more than 250 percent in the last few years, mainly due to the opening of the Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort, Seneca Allegany Casino & Resort and the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.

Seneca Gaming Corp., the nation's gambling arm, is expanding the hotel operations in Salamanaca and building the $333 million Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino on nine acres of sovereign territory in downtown Buffalo. Seneca Buffalo Creek is expected to open its permanent casino and hotel in 2010.

"People tend to focus on just cigarettes and casinos, but there is so much more to the Seneca Nation," John said.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said because the Seneca Nation's operations are spread over five local territories ranging from the Southern Tier to Niagara County, it is hard to get a firm grasp on all the economic development until the figures are compiled together, as the just-released study did.

"People don't understand the full impact that the Senecas have on Western New York," Brown said. "It's not like a Ford factory where everyone is together. Their operations are clearly spread out."




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http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffa...ml?t=printable

[homestar]

There will be no more Politician Worshipping in this thread! I'm sick of hearing about how "if so-and-so gets in then it will be good for Buffalo". It's a crock. Obama as president is NOT going to be any better for Buffalo than McCain. Two years ago it was about how Spitzer would be great for Buffalo. Before that it was electing Clinton as Senator would be great for Buffalo. You people never learn!

[wny]

I'm sorry, you are correct, I should have put my comment on the non development thread, this thread is not the place for it. I will refrain from that in the future.

[homestar]

That wasn't even directed at you.
And I know I'm off topic but I had to say it.

[wny]

I know, but I too posted a political comment that is better suited to the other thread.

So what are your thoughts about a rail linr going from BNIA to UB Amherst via UB Main?

[bjfan82]

Originally Posted by homestar

There will be no more Politician Worshipping in this thread! I'm sick of hearing about how "if so-and-so gets in then it will be good for Buffalo". It's a crock. Obama as president is NOT going to be any better for Buffalo than McCain. Two years ago it was about how Spitzer would be great for Buffalo. Before that it was electing Clinton as Senator would be great for Buffalo. You people never learn!

Originally Posted by homestar

That wasn't even directed at you.
And I know I'm off topic but I had to say it.

Ok then I think it is safe to assume that it was directed at me. I wasn't worshipping Obama. I was just saying that with McCain's anti-earmark rhetoric and Obama's pro-multi-modal approach to transportation rhetoric it would mean that Buffalo (or any city) would have a greater chance of getting federal funding for metro-rail expansion under a President Obama. If you don't agree please make a counter argument, don't make erroneous accusations! Btw, I still think Buffalo is better off for having Spitzer/Patterson and Schumer/Clinton than not.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by wny

The worry now is that with one party controlling all 3 branches spending will
really take off and upstate influence will be nil.

Their is a perfect storm brewing in Albany and upstate NY is in the line for a direct hit.

The only way I see it being a good thing is that it may help accelerate the inevitable collapse of the state government. Sometimes I swear that's what Spitzer was trying to do - accelerate and make it shake itself apart - think of it as an old engine built in the '20s and last maintained in the '50s. It doesn't have much mileage left. Almost Gorbachev-esque.

I don't know about Patterson, though. For one, he's buddies with Byron and I bet you're going to see the City control board relaxed. Not a good thing.

[bjfan82]

I view that State Govt being controlled by one party as a possible good thing, less gridlock, more action. Though, as Sabretooth pointed out, if spending and taxes get much more out of control then I can see the state imploding. But we're dealing with the same thing at the national level as well, so maybe out whole system is heading for collapse.

[Sabretooth]

It certainly is unsustainable. And considering the very definition of entropy, that all systems in nature degrade over time...it's a given. Might as well put your money into that, it's not doing any good investing in this "economy".

Entropy should be traded as a commodity on the NYMEX. After someone cracks down on the oil speculator/terrorist funders, they can put their money into that.

[homestar]

DL&W terminal again eyed for re-use

A joint agreement between the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. could lead the way for portions of the historic DL&W Terminal to be restored as a hub for local museums.

Talks are underway between the NFTA, which owns the circa 1917 building that sits directly behind HSBC Arena and overlooks the Buffalo River, and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. A deal could ultimately see the harbor development agency take control of terminal's second floor. The NFTA uses the ground floor for maintaining and store its Metro Rail cars.

The upper floors has more than 100,000-square-foot of large, wide-span space that has sat vacant for decades.

"It's just a discussion at this time," said Jordan Levy, ECHDC chairman.

The NFTA and ECHDC has a close working relationship. The two state agencies are talking about 120 acres of prime, waterfront land along Buffalo's outer harbor area being designated to the ECHDC. The NFTA has owned the land for decades.

NFTA officials said they prefer to focus on their primary mission of running local bus and rapid transit services along with operating the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport.

Transforming the DL&W's upper floor into a viable use has been discussed for years. At various times, it has been mentioned as possible casino site, home to a new convention center and indoor farmer's market and retail hub. None of the plans ever left the drawing board.

"Museums would seem to make sense," said Greg Stamm, NFTA chairman.

Stamm said the NFTA only needs the ground floor for its Metro Rail operations.

"We don't need what's above it," he said. "Why should we sit on something, if someone has something that makes sense."

Bringing a series of museums together in the DL&W Terminal could fit in with other redevelopment efforts that are taking place along Buffalo's Inner Harbor, including the recent opening of the $53 million Central Wharf project.

The Niagara Aerospace Museum is expected to re-locate from Niagara Falls to downtown Buffalo and is reportedly headed for a temporary home in HSBC Arena. The aerospace museum is being considered as a possible anchor tenant for the DL&W Terminal's second floor, if the deal can be struck between the NFTA and the harbor development corporation.

"We are definitely receptive," Stamm said. "Actually, we're glad to see that this idea is high on a lot people's agenda."

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...l?surround=lfn

[Dimension]

That upper floor could be Buffalos new convention center.

Isn't that bigger than the current one.

[bjfan82]

Awful idea, i'm sorry. If we are ever going to get something to replace our current convention center it better be significantly larger than the DL & W. The top of the DL & W should something like a restaurant or touristy museum.

[Sabretooth]

Wouldn't there be an odor problem in that building? The first floor is the Metrorail garage, so wouldn't the upstairs smell like the inside of Midas?

I'm not going to go to an attraction that gives me headaches, I don't care how interested in the subject I may be.

[bjfan82]

Forget about the smell, the last thing we need is another convention center that is 1/3 or 1/4th the size that it really needs to be to attract something other than a bridal convention.

[homestar]

Aerospace museum to land in Buffalo

The Niagara Aerospace Museum is destined for a new name and home in Buffalo, thanks to a $1 million bequest from a longtime trustee.

The museum, which closed its doors this past January, has been housed in Niagara Falls. On Friday, G. Wayne Hawk, president of the museum, announced the planned relocation to Buffalo under a new name -- Ira G. Ross Aeropsace Museum.

The changes are part of a $1 million gift to the museum from the late Dr. Elizabeth Olmsted Ross, who had advocated an address change for several years.

Earlier this week, officials from the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. acknowledged they are seeking to acquire the former DL&W Terminal and potentially convert the upper portion of the property into a site for museums. The lower floors are used by the site's owner, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. HSBC Arena, adjacent to the terminal, is considered as the likely temporary stop for the aerospace museum.

Ira Ross, who died in 1999 at the age of 84, was a pioneering physicist and engineer. He oversaw the flight research department at Curtiss-Wright Corp., and later headed Cornell Aeronautical Laboratories.


http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

[wny]

Originally Posted by Dimension

That upper floor could be Buffalos new convention center.

Isn't that bigger than the current one.

No, it's about ten thousand sq feet smaller.

[wny]

Too bad about Gates Circle condo's looks like they are going the way of the Buffalo City Tower. Per ch 2 news ...."Rising costs are causing a developer to take a hard look at a condo project slated for Buffalo's Gates Circle neighborhood.

Uniland development says the cost of steel and other raw materials is going up. That's why the company is not committing ..."

see video at ch 2 web site

[Dimension]

Why not post the full article???

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story...58971&catid=37

Rising costs are causing a developer to take a hard look at a condo project slated for Buffalo's Gates Circle neighborhood.

Uniland development says the cost of steel and other raw materials is going up. That's why the company is not committing to a definite groundbreaking date for its Gates Circle condominium project.

Back in April, we reported Uniland will not be breaking ground this year. Today, a company spokesperson told us they're still committed to the project.
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I don't buy the high steel cost reason. Uniland is building a big steel office building in front of the one they built 2-3 years ago on Sheridan.

[Dimension]

Originally Posted by wny

No, it's about ten thousand sq feet smaller.

Thanks

[ECoastTransplant]

Originally Posted by Dimension

Why not post the full article???

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story...58971&catid=37

Rising costs are causing a developer to take a hard look at a condo project slated for Buffalo's Gates Circle neighborhood.

Uniland development says the cost of steel and other raw materials is going up. That's why the company is not committing to a definite groundbreaking date for its Gates Circle condominium project.

Back in April, we reported Uniland will not be breaking ground this year. Today, a company spokesperson told us they're still committed to the project.
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I don't buy the high steel cost reason. Uniland is building a big steel office building in front of the one they built 2-3 years ago on Sheridan.

There's also still an appeal pending against the project. So they can't commit to a start date. But I also heard the same thing, that rising costs are a big concern. On the other hand, the Dulski condos- prices and sales- are going to blow your mind. Don't bet against Uniland.