By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo's Inner Harbor project could be in jeopardy if construction doesn't begin soon. Congressman Jack Quinn says the city could lose close to $50 million dollars in federal funding. He's demanding a full accounting of money secured for the project and construction timetables within the next 30 days.
Quinn says he can not continue to ask for more money if current projects are not completed. Quinn is calling for a summit on the Inner Harbor this January. He says he is not blaming anyone, but wants to see progress.
"Unfortunately we've got the NFTA, who's in charge of some of the projects. The New York State Economic Development Corporation are in charge of some others. And the Mayor's local development people are in charge of even other projects," Quinn said. "So I think this meeting in January will go a long way in getting things organized and give them a boost to get something happening here."
Quinn says he is frustrated to learn that completion dates are pushed into 2007.
The Inner Harbor project includes development of the Amtrak Intermodal Transportation Center at the old Memorial Auditorium and restoring the old Erie Canal terminus.