By Mark Wozniak and Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Both supporters and opponents of the planned downtown Seneca casino filled Buffalo Common Council chambers last night for a public hearing on the sale of a section of Fulton Street. Supporters say the sale will allow a large-scale casino that will generate jobs and economic development. But opponents say the City is practically giving away Fulton Street for a casino that would hurt the City.
Earlier Thursday, casino opponents held a press conference to contest the pricetag set on Fulton Street. They said the crucial property in the planned waterfront casino was dramatically undervalued.
Anti-casino groups said the street is worth much more than the $631,000 the Seneca's appraiser claims. Robert Knoer is the attorney representing residents who live nearby the proposed casino and are opposed to it.
He said their independent appraisal found the proper value of Fulton Street is closer to $1.8 million.
That's according to the appraisal firm Emminger Hyatt Newton and Pigeon. The firm was commissioned by Citizens for A Better Buffalo, one of the groups trying to block the casino.
Joseph Emminger is president of the appraisal firm. He said the method used by the Seneca's appraiser failed to consider what is called "assemblage." That method looks at the stand-alone value of the land, as well as its value before and after development.
Emminger said the appraisal method used by the Senecas is not accepted by New York State. Diane Bennett with the anti-casino group said the City simply rubber-stamped what was put in front of them by the Seneca Gaming Corporation.
Attorneys for the group said the undervalued sale of the street would amount to a gift of public land - and they say that is illegal. They will try to halt the sale by arguing that point before a state judge Friday and in federal court next Wednesday.
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