By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – United States Representative Brian Higgins Thursday raised the possibility that Bass Pro could still opt to locate in the old Memorial Auditorium.
The Congressman toured the canal and outer harbor sites to show off some long-awaited progress. The rebuilt commercial slip now boasts about 560 feet of floating docks.
You can see them standing on the new pedestrian bridge that overlooks the slip. Soon, Higgins said there will be a fifty foot wide wooden boardwalk above the transient docks.
The Congressman said, despite an unfinished blueprint for waterfront development, there is progress.
Just where Bass Pro fits into the emerging waterfront development remains the largest question.
Higgins said Bass Pro is being flexible about the details of the proposed new store. And Higgins said that includes location.
Right now, the plan calls for demolition of the Aud and redevelopment of the six acre site. But Higgins said nothing is final. And he thinks Bass Pro might be willing to take a second look.
Higgins said the ongoing discussions are not holding up other portions of the canal side project. The Central Wharf boardwalk,, lighting and benches are slated for completion this fall.
Work also progresses at the outer harbor. Preparations are nearly complete to build the one mile plus long pedestrian and bike bath.
Higgins said the $14 million project is another example of public access to the water's edge. But he said the skyway is still the biggest obstacle - and one that he still eventually wants removed.
The current projects at the two sites are slated for completion by the fall.
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