By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Two years after Bass Pro announced plans to come to Buffalo, nothing is finalized. But two elected leaders say with or without the project, downtown waterfront development will move forward.
When Bass Pro came to town in November 2004, it said the sporting goods store would open in 2007. But here in 2006, there is still no official Bass Pro deal for construction. Negotiations are continuing.
US Congressman Brian Higgins says while he wants Bass Pro to succeed, the city cannot rely on just one waterfront project.
Mayor Byron Brown says he has received little information about the Bass Pro project and voiced his frustration.
But Bass Pro spokesman Larry Whiteley tells WBFO News his company is moving forward, not backward. Whiteley says the challenges of using the old Aud and construction of other Bass Pro shops have delayed their Buffalo project.
Whiteley says the Bass Pro remains excited about coming to Buffalo and it is "not unusual" for the company to take this long for initial start up.
Bass Pro plans to open 11 new stores in 2007.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Eileen Buckley's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.