By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-952801.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown believes the Queen City is headed in the right direction.
Mayor Brown delivered his 5th annual State of the City Address from the Buffalo Convention Center Wednesday afternoon before a crowd of more than 900.
It was during his address that Brown made a major financial commitment to the help redevelopment of the historic Statler Towers.
"By waving city claims of back debt on the building, I and the city council have paved the way to revitalize the Statler Towers. Today I am pleased to announce my commitment of $5.3 million upon approval of a comprehensive development plan that will ultimately preserve the Statler Towers," said Mayor Brown.
For the residents and busienss owners, the Mayor pledged to hold the line on property taxes.
"I will create property tax certainty for both residents and businesses by pledging not to raise the tax rate for the next three years," said Mayor Brown.
The Mayor also made a pledge to reform the property assessment policy for property owners.
Brown told citizens Buffalo is fiscally sound despite state and federal funding cuts because of belt tightening.