City March 3, 2009 5:15 PM

Bass Pro: Jordan Levy Says Not to Worry

Elena Cala Buscarino 26

Did Paterson waffle today? Levy doesn't think so.

Earlier today on local radio station WBEN, veteran news reporter John Zach posed a question to Governor David Paterson. Seven minutes into the interview, it went like this: "The Bass Pro Store for downtown, Buffalo's Erie Canal Harbor development district. It's on the verge of becoming a joke around here. People want to know one way or the other, is the store coming here or not. And, if the state is in such financial straights, should it be giving money to Bass Pro?"

The governor answered that the relationship the state has to see in giving money is $20 of profit per $1 of tax credit. "Under that scenario, I honestly don't know the answer to that question, but I would think that given the current conditions, that the possibility of Bass Pro coming to downtown Buffalo is a little bleaker than it was."

Not too much later, this statement was issued from the governor: "This morning, I commented on a project to bring a future Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store to Buffalo's waterfront and also spoke more broadly on the economic challenges we face here in New York. While this is no doubt a difficult time for the State, we remain fully committed to the Canal Side project. Moreover, as the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and its Chairman Jordan Levy have continually said, Canal Side remains well on-track, with Bass Pro Shops remaining an important component of this inner harbor redevelopment effort. At this time, I have been assured that the status of Bass Pro Shops remains very promising. This Thursday, I will meet with officials from my Upstate economic development team to discuss the future of this important project."

Levy, on top of saying that he was disappointed with Zach's question in the first place, says that he believes Paterson was being cautious in his initial answer and that it was "fitting and prudent." Did the governor waffle? "No." Levy said. "He was hit with a sarcastic comment and then he needed time to think. I'm more confident about this project than ever."

Because it's been said over and over that Bass Pro is looking for signs of development going on around their proposed site as incentive to be here, Levy was asked what he thinks the chances are of keeping the Canal District's designation within the controversial Empire Zone Program.

"I think there will be a redesign in the program," Levy stated. "It needs changes. It needs to be altered so that it operates realistically. The canal area meets every standard of an Empire Zone, and I believe it will remain one. [The Empire Zone Program] may be different, but the canal meets the requirements as it was intended initially."

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Comments

26 Comments Leave a comment

Lorem Ipsum

March 3, 2009 6:01 PM

Pass Pro? "Pass, Bro."

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whatever

March 3, 2009 6:08 PM

I'd prefer the Gov's first answer.

Even better would be if he'd answered "No, the state shouldn't be giving money to (or constructing buildings for, or granting sales tax breaks to) Bass Pro or any other retailer. We'd welcome Bass Pro and will cooperate fully if they want to put a store here, but we've changed our mind about offering any corporate welfare handouts."

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jamesbflo

March 3, 2009 6:25 PM

Why be disappointed with the question? People want answers.

The governors answer was very telling. He's either not up to date on, arguably, this city's biggest issue or this project is in deep trouble.

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Blackrocklifer

March 3, 2009 8:09 PM

I think this project has always been in trouble. Patterson just stated the obvious, the poor economy lessens the chance of this project going forward.

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dgoshilla

March 3, 2009 8:10 PM

Can someone please tell me why Bass Pro is such a critical piece to this puzzle? I'm thoroughly confused.

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Armchair MBA

March 4, 2009 5:56 AM

I wouldnt loose a bit of sleep if Bass Pro pulled the plug on this. The only losers in that case would be the politicians who have been beating the Bass Pro drum. Clear the Aud site, tell BP to f*&k off and plan for somthing else.

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buffbuff

March 4, 2009 10:42 AM

The plug has probably been pulled, just like the politicians fingers that have been pulled for 4 years by pass pro.

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OnTheWagon

March 4, 2009 11:36 AM

Really crazy that people think this project doesn't need a revenue generating component like Bass Pro.

Let me say that again - revenue generating. Not service consuming. Not just trails and musuems the taxpayers pay for. I'm sure the 20000 of you that just want that don't care, but it's very hard to consider your point of view. You ignore the rest of your populace.

After 3 or 4 years reading this blog I still am amazed at how well people perceive Buffalo is doing, or how little people think the town needs to bring in business, or how the State, County or City would be willing to, or could even fund a thing like this without a large revenue generating component that would bring a return on their investment.

You expect to be treated like a welfare state because at one time it was a boomtown. You have this cognitive dissonance that you already are considered a bailout / welfare program for the rest of NY.

You can't get out of the box until you see the box.

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littleacorn

March 4, 2009 8:26 PM

Could you restate your case again? Could you start with the "really crazy people." I am not sure why as a long time resident of this city I should be paying a retail establishment money to move here so I can spend more of my money inside their four walls. I know the politicians pushing this program cannot explain this situation to me. Am I missing something? I hope that you are being sarcastic.

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replied to OnTheWagon

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buffbuff

March 3, 2009 8:11 PM

come on, pass pro is right up there with the peace bridge in buffalo jokes!

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RhodeIslandBoy2

March 3, 2009 8:26 PM

Bass Pro is now well into its 4th year since the big announcement that they were coming and still no signed document that they are in fact building or coming. Some commitment they've shown.

It'll never happen. Thankfully.

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queenie

March 3, 2009 8:34 PM

Exactly, buffbuff, et al.,

It ain't goin' to happen; it just ain't.

Tear down a few more good buildings, however, in expectation that someone, somewhere will actually build something. STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!

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nick

March 3, 2009 9:10 PM

Well at least we'll have a shovel ready sight instead of the aud. Surface parking or a ramp, let's take a vote.

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buffbuff

March 3, 2009 9:23 PM

surface

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wnywatercooler

March 3, 2009 10:03 PM

lol the Aud is a "good" building.. bass pro said from the beginning they won't sign anything until the land is cleared which will happen by june

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Colin

March 3, 2009 10:08 PM

All this angst over retail. Retail!

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sonyactivision

March 4, 2009 12:20 AM

OMG, in the midst of the worst recession since WWII, the thought of a retail megastore not immediately breaking ground and building their store so they can open in time for 10% unemployment and zero credit is just more than anyone here can bear. Get real folks, NOBODY is building...ANYWHERE.

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Pegger

March 4, 2009 2:48 AM

Wow. His first words say it all!

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newbuffalo

March 4, 2009 4:37 AM

How about a giant TIM HORTON'S instead? We NEED more of those! You want to see development? Finish the casino! This city and worse yet , this state run things like morons. EVERYTHING here takes FOREVER to get started. Thats why things DON'T get built. The longer projects get dragged out the less likely they will ever happen.

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Jas

March 4, 2009 2:31 PM

If Pass Bro (thanks Lorem) was really committed to building here, the plans should be completed by now. I believe the Aud site will be ready for new constructin by May, and Pass Bro should have already had the architectural drawings done. I have yet to see a new rendering from them.

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assaroni

March 4, 2009 4:04 PM

wait a minute...$20 of profit for each $1 of Subsidy...is that right?
If so that means BassPro has to make$1.2 billion for a 60 million investment? that cant be right, someone correct me please

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assaroni

March 4, 2009 4:05 PM

ok, its tax credit, not subsidy...my bad...i got it

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suburban_hillbilly

March 4, 2009 4:25 PM

How long before someone in this blog refers to Bass Pro as a "bait shop?"

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Crisa

March 9, 2009 12:03 PM

You are right. No one at this particular site is relating Bass Pro Shops with a bait shop. Bass Pro will not be on par with any local "bait shop" or discount stores.
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The WNY area has thousands of people; husbands and wives and their children, boyfriends and their girlfriends and everyones' friends and other family members--counting into the thousands in WNY alone, who most likely will visit Bass Pro at least once but not shop there regularily.
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I imagine the Bass Pro people aren't interested in these thousands though. Bass Pro wants to attract the bigboat owners--the millionaires, of which WNY does not have enough to support the income level Bass Pro has become accustomed to.
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Bass Pro is also looking for assurance that other even biggerboat owners will head this way--who won't be here year-round.) BPS has to understand what sells hereabouts year-round--and BPS may be asking the wrong people.
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Of the many who DO live here, the in-store products Bass Pro will be stocking is of interest to the locals as long as major purchases cannot be found cheaper elsewhere.
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BPS probably doesn't want to hear at what cost level 'major' begins.
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I can think of other things BPS could feature to attract non-fisherpersons into BPS that would work if BPS would come down from the clouds and ask in the right places.
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Hereabouts, BPS would be a warm place in the winter to wander around, buy a few items not related to what they sell at present but that the locals DO enjoy and can afford even as too many peoples' econopower goes downward. And, inorder to keep them shopping, more restaurant setups will be required.
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Some biggerboat owners own malls which are also struggling. Maybe BPS doesn't relize how to capitalize--and on the waterfront besides?!
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We, ('we' being friends and family), stopped looking forward to BPS long ago.

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pwallinder

March 9, 2009 8:16 AM

BassPro is a very exciting project, and a perfect fit for Buffalo for the following reasons;
1/ It creates many new jobs, badly needed.
2/ It enhances Buffalo's coastal location by Lake Erie,
as a destination for recreation=new and improved image!
3/ Lake Erie is a top destination for sports fisherman
4/ BassPro caters to the outdoor people, not just for fishermen,
5/ It is creating income for the community=sales tax dollars
7/ Last but not least, it anchors an entire development where much more will be added.

This project will attract some of the millions coming to Niagara Falls every year, and in my book, that's huge!

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