Mayor Brown's statement on Bass Pro

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) - Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown issued the following statement today after the news that Bass Pro will not be coming to Buffalo.

Public Statement
Mayor Byron W. Brown
June 30, 2010

Re: Bass Pro Decision

I was disappointed to hear today directly from Bass Pro President Jim Hagel that among other things the Common Council’s inaction over my plan to sell city land to strengthen waterfront and neighborhood economic development was one reason why Bass Pro will not open a store on Buffalo’s waterfront.

This decision means that over 3,000 construction and retail jobs for residents of our city and region are threatened with the loss of this anchor tenant.

This is inexcusable and an example of a few obstructionists persuading members of the Common Council to stop progress – both along the waterfront and in our neighborhood commercial districts.

There are still thousands of other jobs that now hang in the balance on our waterfront and I call on the Common Council to hold a meeting next week to vote on the community development agreement I presented to them early last week. I am pleased that Council majority leader Richard Fontana has agreed to organize the meeting.