The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) has extended its lease to the Canadian Duty Free. Apparently the Canadian Duty Free and the US Duty Free are two separate business entities. While there is no news yet on a new lease deal for the US Duty Free, there is great hope that if and when that deal is approved, the PBA will take into consideration a significant parcel of land that is tied to the American Duty Free operation.
Hopefully part of the lease deal, moving forward, would see the US Duty Free selling the property that houses its storage facility on Porter Avenue. As millions of dollars get pumped into the Niagara Street corridor, LaSalle Park, etc., how can we stand by and watch this forsaken parcel of land sit idly by? It’s an embarrassment to Duty Free and the Bridge Authority, and a black eye for Buffalo.
Ever since Duty Free moved its retail sales operation onto the concourse of the bridge, this building has literally sat on Porter Avenue like a turd. This is a prime parcel of land. It should be sold to a developer that can build accordingly. Just see to it that the developer allocates warehouse space in the back of the building, so that Duty Free still has access to products. This building, as it stands, is a disgrace. Sell the land. Build a building. Figure this out ASAP and stop using Porter Avenue as an inconspicuous place to store Duty Free retail products.
Following are remarks from dignitaries regarding the lease renewal of the Canadian Duty Free, which appears to be more concerned with its surrounding neighborhood than its US counterpart.
“Peace Bridge Duty Free has proudly served Fort Erie and those traveling to the United States for almost thirty years, and we welcome the opportunity to do so for many years to come,” said Peace Bridge Duty Free President Greg O’Hara. “We are excited about the plans we have for the store, and look forward to unveiling them in the weeks and months ahead.
“We are pleased that we were able to reach agreement with Peace Bridge Duty Free,” said Sam Hoyt, Chairman of the Peace Bridge Authority. “The rental revenue generated by the Duty Free is an important source of non-toll revenue for the Authority and enables us to keep bridge tolls as low as possible for the benefit of the bi-national region”