Mayor Brown Steps Up: Supports Public Funding for Statler Renovations

The plan for the upper floors is still unknown and dependent on market conditions. I wonder if this will ever come to fruition, just like so many other subsidized feel-good projects in Buffalo. It is great that it is being used, but it would be even better if there was a plan in place for all the floors so we don't wind up throwing good money after bad as the years go by.

Didn't we learn anything from Bashar Issa?

I wish I could get paid to own property next to city hall.

Glad that this $5M is being earmarked for exterior repairs. While I fully support restoration of the Statler, the buzz seems to indicate that this was a wise investment for Croce. Whether the market conditions prove that the upper floors will turn into commercial or hotel or even residential space, there will likely be a tidy (even if long-term) profit to be made on his investment in the building.

Exterior maintenance of the building is another story. The crumbling stonework that closed the sidewalks a while back is an investment for the city that might not fit into Croce's business plan for quite some time. Glad to see that the city/state's money will be earmarked for a purpose that serves the city, rather than simply helps line the pocket of the investor/developer. Croce definitely deserves to be rewarded for saving the building, but that reward should come from a sound business plan, not a hand-out from taxpayers.

It's almost surreal that this project is moving forward. I think eventually it will be a huge hit. I could easily see condos in some part of the building, hotel in another, and an up scale restaurant, or two. I attended a work Christmas party at the Statler a couple of years ago, and it really is an amazing building, with amazing historic detailing's. That being said 5.3 million is way to much! Croce has only invested 1.5 million of his own money. For the city to pitch in 5.3 is a little desperate. I wonder how much Karla Thomas blowing Brown in for being a crooked Mayor, has to do with Brown ponying up this large amount of cash. It looks like someone is a little desperate for some positive press.

We can argue about whether any taxpayer $ the privately-owned Statler is justified for quality of life (keeping a nice interesting building to see for a few more decades), but Croce's claim that "We're creating jobs" looks questionable if he's trying to imply real job growth here.

And not that it matters much which bucket of NYS tax money it comes from, but for honest labeling, doesn't taking $5.3M from "economic development project" funds sound shady? If public $ are to be spent, shouldn't it come out of funds earmarked for preservation? Why not take it from the "$100M" supposedly set aside for the Richardson rather than from economic development money?

What long term jobs are being created due to the Statler that wouldn't be around here otherwise in some less-interesting building?

As long as the money goes into the building facade and shores it up for years then it is a worthy investment.

Buffalo was going GAGA over BassPro and willing to throw 10s of millions without question. Why give Croce such a hard time? He is actually doing something, will it be successful I hope so. At least he is doing something and putting up the cash to do it. It’s about time we are getting honest developers that believe in this place. But, we all still whine about pennies compared to letting this place rot and tearing it down.

great job. the argument that it is too much money to give croce, i think is baseless. Although its more money he put in at the moment, it is more than definitely a worthwhile investment for a 100 million dollar project. Great move by Mayor Brown.

Each and every dime that is granted to these vital building projects, (and I am for It with restrictions) should be a lean on the property for when they are sold, that the Grant is paid back. Just as the pail out monies were needed to be paid back. Then the monies could then go on to fund other projects in the future and revolve, this would ensure future funding for other restoration needs!

I support the funds, because, frankly, the numbers just don't work (larger discussion: sprawl, disinvestment, etc.) However, just like the Federal Govt did with the car companies, the Public should be a stakeholder and when/if the building is resold and turns a profit, that money could be put into another property.

I would be scratching my head if I were Rocco, however.....why doesn't he receive the same deal?

Um, what has become of Croce's plans for his boutique hotel....absolutely nothing has been done on this project for months....feedback, please..ty!

Every street on which I drive every day, from home to stores or work or wherever, is crumbling. Street trees dead, dying, missing ... a thousand things on which the City should be spending money and effort, but there's no money for that. Glad to see there's public money to hand out for free to someone who doesn't even own property in Buffalo (look up his name - nothing). How's your tax bill, people? My assessment went up 20%, and the water bill 35%. Let's give some more gifts to save worthless buildings, shall we?

Make LOANS at the same rates banks will make, not gifts. If a business isn't worthy of a loan, it is worthless.

I'll be honest and say I never would of believed this building to be worked on so quick. I thought it would stay boarded up for another few years like his other buildings near by. GLAD to see he's proven me/us wrong and doing great work on it. Can't wait to hear/see hotel and living spaces as his next phase.

What is this "Give" garbage? Lend, okay. Give? For free? NO!

This is a typical government Grant, handout, investment, call it what you like. The funds invested here are designed for urban development. If Croce didn't get this 5M than another developer would. It cannot be used to repair streets or schools, there are other programs for that. So if the Mayor has about 20M in this fund and this project gets 5, I'd say that is ok. What is transparent is Brown's not so coy way of pretending to do his diligence by waiting to hand out the money until he see the entire plan, like Croce and he did not already know that this was part of the deal from the begining.
What is totaly amazing is our two historic hotels downtown, Lafayette and Statler are being renovated simultaneously after decades of watching them wither. Did anyone seriously think that this was ever going to happen...at the same time no less. The action at the Lafayette is a bit more impressive but it is all great.

Does anybody know if tax breaks going forward (PILOT maybe?) were given to this project? If not, then that $5.3 will be recouped quickly. Also, what is the building currently assessed at, and will the City reassess it after the rehab is complete? If so, then this is a very good investment.

Love that second pic! Looks like SOMEONE was up on 18...

Im always curious all these investments are great but what if the casino indian owners decide to put gas stations, cig factories, hotels on their land? I live in the city and I still think that casino was a bad idea losing tax money and control of a part of the city. Just seemed to desperate thinking during those Masiello days. Can anyone tell me how the casino is going to do anything for the city growth or income ? Im not against gambling either. Just way to much of it.

Leverage this money, with additional money reallocated from UB 2020 to move the Law School into the Statler, and switch ECC money used in their Amherst expansion into locating ECC classes here too.

I wouldn't give this money without stipulations and recapture agreements for the money. He needs a plan for the entire building, rehabbing the first and 18th floors only for restaurant business is not acceptable.

Putting UB Law into the Statler would most likely result in the loss of the beautiful public spaces and banquet rooms that the hotel currently has.

UB is moving to the South Campus, according to the long range plan, and I think that's great.

Sorry, keep it simple, but this building in no way can be converted to classroom space. That's wishful thinking, but physically impossible. The lower floors have public uses planned already which will bring more activity and money than classroom space. The upper floors are completely inappropriate: big wide posts everywhere, low ceilings; the floors don't convert to open spaces. The idea of bringing the law school here was floated and investigated and quickly dismissed as completely untenable.

UB Law is moving to the South Campus.

Seems to me the city should be getting options on a couple of floors to sell off later if/when this venture becomes profitable. It would cost Croce nothing and give the city a shot at recouping some cash in the long run. Even the feds got GM stock in that bailout. No brainer?!?!?

This is a net postive. As other governments are contracting because of bloated budgets Buffalo has money to spend. Invest it now when others don't have the ability to.

The mayor should be out looking for companies to poach out of other areas.

I have no problem with the money being spent on this project. It is a symbol of innovation and should be kept. Once the parking gets figured out and the bridge to the convention center is made this building will be a cash cow.

"The $5.3 million is about half the cost the City might have had to spend on demolition if the building was abandoned."

I think this sentence is really the crux of the matter for me. The $11 million of demolition money would probably have to be city money as well, as it's probably easier to get state money for redevelopment of a historic building than just to create a parking lot. And then we would be left with a parking lot assessed at a few hundred thousand dollars, rather than the tens of millions the building will be worth when fully restored.

I do like the idea others mentioned of having it be a no-interest loan that needs to be paid back when the building is sold, rather than an outright grant, though.

The funding is not coming from the City, but from the State Dormitory Authority.

So how is the Curtiss Building coming? Hope the Statler does not become another project that Croce doesn't finish. Didn't he get a million in aid on the Curtiss? Don't forget he also asked for millions to build a parking ramp with 4 stories of offices on top. Whats up there? Agree with those who say the public should become a stakeholder in return for the 5 million. Most projects receive public aid in the form of tax breaks. This is an actual cash $$ infusion. Wasn't Croce one of the people that cried foul on the Donovan Bldg? That comes across as being a little greedy.

I wonder how many bids would have come in on the statler if the city had said up front they would contribute the estimated cost of demolition towards the project?

I hear the Curtis is still in motion however the Statler has his full attention. Last word is he has evry intention of developing a high end boutique hotel there however it might require a concept shift from banquets, to more restaurant and bars as the Statler has pretty much taken the lead in the banquet area.

Just look at how much money was going to go to the BIG GIANT FISH STORE on the waterfront...I think it was something like 35 million. What a lucky break for Buffalo. So there is 15 million waiting for development purposes in limbo and 5.3 million of it is going to a very good development project. Smart thinking finally.

Nick, what project(s) has Mark Croce not got done. He has saved and developed 3-4 forgotten buildings on Franklin Street and he his going to town on an almost lost iconic structure, something apparently nobody else had the kahunas to tackle. The Curtis is going to happen but give the guy a break, he has set a very agressive schedule for himself. Expect a hotel partner at the Statler at somepoint after he completes his first phase.

regarding croce's jobs claim: granted, developers often inflate the numbers, but for heaven's sake, a lot of skilled tradespeople will be needed to rehabilitate the statler and they won't be unpaid volunteers! those paychecks will circulate back into the community as they purchase goods & services. preservation = jobs.

The city should really negotiate to get something in return for these funds, I agree. Perhaps free office space for city services once it is open.
If there is to be a hotel there, then the city should get lots of free rooms, and those rooms should be used not for the mayor's mistresses, but for out of town investors. This way, the city can invite people and have a large part of their expenses paid for, and they get to stay in an historic rehab.

Really -- did no one think to even ask for anything in return?

Its absolutely a good investment for the city and taxpayer dollars. Yes its a pittance compared to demolition but demolition would be a huge mistake for downtown. The statler is a major footprint downtown that a replacement would not match.

They are doing it absolutely correct. Get people into the public spaces on the first 3 floors and use the public spaces to finance the redevelopment of the upper floors.

The neighboring Federal Courthouse will leverage many changes.

I still think the idea of UB Law students residing at the Statler is a big benefit (2 blocks from light rail) and across the street from courts and government buildings.

All these comments and still nothing about a viable use for the upper floors of the Statler.

I guess building additional hotel rooms would be a good idea but that would end the challenge against hotel rooms at the Casino.

Croce’s feasible, sensible, straightaway movements are building a solid foundation for the Statler’s rebirth.

The continuance of its crumbling state would not have benefited the City or its taxpayers.

Go Croce!

I love what Mayor Byron Brown has done for Buffalo. The turn around of the city has been remarkable while he's been in office. The Medical Complex, the Larking Building and First Niagara, Saint Vincents charter school, and now the Stateler. How great is it to live in Buffalo right now!!!!