By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Seneca Nation of Indians wants Buffalo to "abandon" Fulton Street near the planned downtown casino. But one lawmaker says if the Senecas want it, they need to make some guarantees.
About a month ago, the Buffalo Common Council received a letter from Seneca President Barry Snyder. He is calling on the city to approve abandonment of Fulton Street to the Nation. The Senecas want Fulton for access to its future Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in the Cobblestone District.
But at Tuesday's Common Council session, lawmakers received and filed the letter. Council president David Franczyk says abandonment would require the Senecas to pay for Fulton Street.
The Senecas want Fulton Street to create one solid footprint for their planned casino. But if that were to happen, Fulton would no longer be a through street.
Franczyk doesn't believe the city should surrender the street so easily. He says it is worth a lot of money.
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