By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A downtown business group says it's prepared to go to court to make sure that a new Seneca Nation of Indians casino is located in downtown Buffalo.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership recently came out in opposition to locating a casino in downtown Buffalo. But not all business leaders are supporting the Partnership position.
The Huron Group headed by developer Carl Paladino says it's ready to welcome the Seneca Nation of Indians with "open arms." He believes a casino downtown would spur development and new jobs.
As part of his effort, Paladino has retained the law firm of Phillips Lytle to stop the Seneca's ongoing effort to locate a casino in Cheektowaga. Attorney Michael Powers says his reading of the agreement between the Senecas and the state would seem to preclude them from doing that.
"The Senecas have a right to build the casino in Erie County, so long as it's in the city of Buffalo," Powers said. "But they have no lawful right to build it outside the city."
The Senecas released a statement indicating they're within their rights to look outside the city limits if a suitable site can't be found in Buffalo. But Powers claims there are suitable sites, setting the stage for a likely court fight over the issue. But Powers is hoping it doesn't come to that.
"Our purpose in bringing these facts to light and making our position known is in hopes that everyone will take a breath, step back and re-focus on what the agreement between the parties actually is," Powers said. "We ask them to honor that agreement and work in a productive way toward bringing this casino where it was agreed to be -- and ought to be -- in the city of Buffalo."
Seneca President Rickey Armstrong says the nation is not doing anything that is inconsistent with its agreement with the state in pursuing a Cheektowaga casino.