By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Tuesday was to be the final day for Bass Pro to reach a deal with Buffalo waterfront developers.
A tentative agreement to convert the old Memorial Auditorium into a sporting goods superstore was reached over two years ago, but plans were never finalized. Negotiations in recent weeks have been focusing on building a Bass Pro facility at another site, with the future of the Aud still uncertain.
Mayor Byron Brown issued a 30-day ultimatum to Bass Pro last month, to reach a final agreement, or else harbor development would proceed without it. But Brown has now issued an extension to the deadline, noting that the current negotiations are showing progress.
Whatever happens, one of the waterfront's staunchest supporters says he's prepared to move on, with or without Bass Pro. Congressman Brian Higgins says it's time to launch an aggressive build out of the inner harbor. And Higgins says that includes tearing down Memorial Auditorium.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.