Sabres to sign deed for Webster Block

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Sabres are preparing to sign on the dotted line, finalizing the purchase of the Webster Block. It’s the next step in the highly anticipated HARBORcenter project.

Sabres Chief Development Officer Cliff Benson said, “The chairman indicated it'd be great if we could turn a profit.  Yeah, it would be. I'm not sure we will. But that was never the point. The point was to make an investment in our community.”

It’s a project unlike anything Buffalo has seen. $172 million to build a 200-room hotel, 850 parking spaces, retail shopping and two hockey rinks on the Webster Block. The Sabres estimate the new facility will employ 205 full time and 160 part-time jobs. That includes workers in the hotel, restaurant, rinks, parking and retail.

  PHOTOS |  See renditions of what the completed project will look like here.

The Erie County IDA will give the project $1.2 million in mortgage tax savings, $7.5 million in sales tax savings and $28 million in property tax abatement.

Terry Pegula says HARBORcenter will make Buffalo a hockey destination for major tournaments and will create some excitement here at home. 

Pegula said, “Get the people in the area energized.  More kids will play hockey, hopefully.  More ice surface.  You won't have to get up at four in the morning to play. Get up at six.”