STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
MAYOR ANTHONY M. MASIELLO
JANUARY 10, 2001


Table of Contents:

THANK YOU DAVID MUMM.

BEFORE I GET GOING, LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS.

WELCOME TO SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. HOW NICE IT IS TO HAVE YOU BACK IN BUFFALO.

DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR SENATOR, YOU VISITED US OFTEN AND YOU ARTICULATED CLEARLY AND ELOQUENTLY THE CONCERNS OF BUFFALONIANS AND WESTERN NEW YORKERS. I LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU BACK OFTEN IN THE FUTURE.

AND GREETINGS TO OUR GOOD FRIEND ASSEMBLYMAN PAUL TOKASZ, NAMED MAJORITY LEADER OF THE NYS ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK IN ALBANY.

I AM HONORED YOU HAVE JOINED US AND I WISH YOU GREAT SUCCESS IN YOUR NEW LEADERSHIP POSITION.

I. INTRODUCTION

SINCE BECOMING MAYOR, I HAVE COME BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF
BOMA, WORKING FOR DOWNTOWN AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF BUFFALO ANNUALLY TO DELIVER THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IMPORTANT CITY ISSUES WITH YOU AND I THANK YOU, ONCE AGAIN, FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY.

NOW THAT WE HAVE TRULY ENTERED THE 21ST CENTURY, WE FACE A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.

AND, OF COURSE, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE TO FOLLOW AND TO CAPITALIZE ON THE COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

IT FALLS TO US - AS IT HAS TO EVERY GENERATION THAT HAS COME BEFORE US …AND WILL TO ALL THAT FOLLOW -

TO SET THE COURSE FOR OUR TIME.

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II. ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW

THE LEGACY OF THE 1901 PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION LOOMS LARGE THIS YEAR AS WE CELEBRATE ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

IN 1901, BUFFALO WAS AN AMERICAN URBAN POWERHOUSE, BURSTING WITH INGENUITY AND OPTIMISM.
BUFFALO-BORN AUTHOR LAUREN BELFER HIGHLIGHTED THIS ERA IN HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NOVEL, CITY OF LIGHT - AND BUFFALONIANS FELT A SURGE OF PRIDE FOR THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF OUR HOMETOWN.

NOW, 100 YEARS LATER, WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 PEOPLE.

LETS' BE A GREAT CITY OF 300,000 - THE BEST IN THE NATION!

LET'S BE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT CREATES AN EMPLOYMENT INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH PERMITS OUR CHILDREN TO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES HERE.

WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT POSSESSES ONE OF THE GREATEST URBAN PARKS SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT BOASTS A COLLECTION OF URBAN ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THAT FEW CITIES - NO MATTER WHAT THEIR SIZE - CAN MATCH.

WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT SITS AT THE GEOGRAPHICAL CROSSROADS OF OUR NATION'S GREATEST TRADING PARTNER .

WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO EDUCATE, EMPLOY AND NURTURE GENERATIONS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN IN NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SCHOOLS.

WE ARE A CITY OF 300,000 THAT IS REINVENTING ITS WATERFRONT IN A FASHION THAT CELEBRATES ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST SPECTACULAR ENGINEERING MARVELS - THE ERIE CANAL.

MY ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT - I WILL NOT -
SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN MAXIMIZING THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF OUR GREAT CITY.

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE BUFFALO THE BEST MID-SIZED CITY IN THE NATION AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERY CITIZEN.

EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TOWARD THAT GOAL.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT HOW WE PLAN TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING:

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III. STRONG, DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS

IN ORDER TO BE THE CITY OF GOOD NEIGHBORS, WE MUST HAVE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT CONTAIN:
QUALITY SCHOOLS;
DECENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND
FUNCTIONAL PARKS.

1. SCHOOLS
LET'S START WITH SCHOOLS. YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF THE SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION LEGISLATION SIGNED RECENTLY BY GOVERNOR PATAKI.

THIS LANDMARK LEGISLATION WILL HELP US CONSTRUCT NEW SCHOOLS AND REHABILITATE EXISTING SCHOOLS IN A COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

THE NEW LAW COULDN'T HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME AND I THANK OUR WNY STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION FOR THEIR CRITICAL SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE.

IF WE EXPECT TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE, COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY FOR FUTURE INVESTMENT, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM MUST MEET THE NEEDS OF A PROGRESSIVE, 21ST CENTURY WORLD.

THE NEW SCHOOLS LEGISLATION WILL HELP US SUCCEED BY PROVIDING:
- CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO FINANCE AND CONSTRUCT NEW SCHOOLS;
- INVESTMENT OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
(WIRED BUILDINGS, COMPUTER LABS, SAFER FACILITIES);
- THE ABILITY TO REHABILITATE EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN BUFFALO.

OUR CHILDREN WILL BE BETTER EDUCATED, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WILL GROW STRONGER, AND ALL OF WNY WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC SPINOFF.

IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE THIS ENORMOUS INVESTMENT, I CALL UPON THE JOINT SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION BOARD AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ISSUE AN RFQ QUICKLY. SO WE CAN BRING ON BOARD THE BEST AND MOST QUALIFIED PROJECT MANAGER.

WHILE BUILDING AND RENOVATING SCHOOL BUILDINGS FEATURING MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT IS IMPORTANT, IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF GREAT CITY SCHOOLS IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT.

I PLEDGE MY FULL SUPPORT TO HELP THE BOARD INSTITUTE THESE MUCH NEEDED CHANGES AND REFORMS.

I BELIEVE THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL ADD GREAT VALUE TO OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

I WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WHICH BRING COMPREHENSIVE AND HOLISTIC SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

OUR 15 COMMUNITY SCHOOLS HAVE PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL PROVIDERS OF HUMAN, SOCIAL AND EXTRACURRICULAR SERVICES -- THEREBY HELPING REDUCE TRUANCY, INCREASE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND STREGTHEN PARENT INVOLVEMENT.

THE QUALITY OF OUR SCHOOLS, THE QUALITY OF THE EQUIPMENT WITH WHICH OUR CHILDREN LEARN AND THE QUALITY OF THE SYSTEM'S CURRICULUM WILL ALL DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF OUR CITY'S FUTURE WORKFORCE.

WE NEED TO INVEST NOW IN THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.

AND NOW THAT THE LONGSTANDING TEACHERS' CONTRACT DISPUTE HAS BEEN SETTLED, ALL OF US - TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS AND CITIZENS - MUST FOCUS ON THE CHILDREN.

2. HOUSING
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE GOOD HOUSING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES SO THAT ALL CITIZENS LIVE IN STRONG, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE HAVE PURSUED A VARIETY OF HOUSING AND POLICE INITIATIVES TOWARD THAT END:

REHABS/EXISTING:

REDEVELOPMENT OF FREDERICK DOUGLAS TOWERS AND HOPE VI INITIATIVE;
REPLACING THESE INADEQUATE AND OUTDATED PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS WITH MODERN, DECENT HOUSING HELPS:
- STRENGTHEN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS;
- GIVES TENANTS BETTER HOUSING OPTIONS; AND
- CONTRIBUTES TO GROWING CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE.

THE SUCCESS OF THE WILLERT PARK HOME ZONE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. IT TRULY IS A REBUILT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABILITY OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WORKING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, TO ACHIEVE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR MODERATE-AND LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES.

BASED ON OUR HOME ZONE SUCCESS, OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS DEVELOPED HOUSING REHABILITATION AND FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER FINANCING AS A MEANS OF STRENGTHENING MIDDLE CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WILL EXPAND ON THESE INITIATIVES IN THE FUTURE.

REBUILDING A GOOD BASE OF HOUSING:

THE WEST SIDE INITIATIVE WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CURRENT HOMEOWNERS AND NEW HOMEBUYERS SEEKING TO REHAB HOMES WITHIN THE TARGETED NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE.

THROUGH SPECIAL INTEREST RATES ON MORTGAGES PROVIDED BY BANKS AND WITH 2% LOANS UP TO $20,000 OVER 15 YEARS FROM THE CITY, WE ARE SHORING UP OUR BASE OF EXISTING HOUSING STOCK.

WE CONTINUE THE BUILD-OUT OF DOWNTOWN HOUSING IN THE BERGER'S BUILDING, THE MARKET ARCADE AND THE TRICO BUILDING - ALL OF WHICH WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF GENERATION X-ERS WHO WORK IN OUR DOWNTOWN CORE.

NEW HOMES AND NEW NEIGHBORHOODS:
- CITY'S FIRST MARKET RATE DEVELOPMENT:
WALDEN HEIGHTS, 38 HOMES SOLD AT AN AVERAGE PRICE OF $160,000.

- MAIN/LASALLE DEVELOPMENT: 31 MARKET RATE HOMES DEVELOPED BY MARRANO/MARC EQUITY WITH AN AVERAGE SALE PRICE OF $180,000. ALL ARE SOLD.
- DEVELOPER, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY , IS REVIEWING A 20 HOME EXPANSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT ON CONTIGUOUS LAND.

- 5 NEW WATERFRONT TOWNHOUSES AT GULL LANDING SOLD FOR $550,000 EACH.

3. PUBLIC SAFETY

THE BUFFALO POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO OPERATE IN A COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

POLICE CONSOLIDATION PLAN RESULTED IN REDUCING 14 PRECINCTS TO 5 DISTRICTS.

WITH THE ADDITION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, AUGMENTED BY COMMUNITY POLICING AND FLEXIBLE POLICE INITIATIVES, WE HAVE REDUCED CRIME SIGNIFICANTLY IN BUFFALO SINCE 1994.

WE WILL CONTINUE THIS SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY.

4. PARKS

MY ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENT TO A CLEAN AND GREEN ENVIRONMENT, PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF OUR WORLD-CLASS URBAN PARKS SYSTEM.

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:
LASALLE PARK: PHASE ONE OF $6 MILLION RESTORATION COMPLETE;

EXPANSION OF MCCARTHY PARK - PART OF MAINE/LASALLE SUCCESS;

AWARD-WINNING RENOVATION OF JFK PARK;

COMPREHENSIVE TREE PLANTING AND REDEVELOPMENT AT MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK;

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AT BRODERICK PARK;

THE NEW CITY PARKS SIGNS PROGRAM; AND

CONTINUED ENHANCEMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS (SHOSHONE, RIVERSIDE, STACHOWSKI, HENNEPIN AND SCHILLER).
WHILE OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT STAFF HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF TAKING CARE OF OUR CITY'S PARKS, THEIR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN ENHANCED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE MADE OUR CITY ALL THE MORE APPEALING BY NURTURING ITS NATURAL BEAUTY.

NO ADMINISTRATION IN THE PAST 30 YEARS HAS WORKED AS DILIGENTLY AND AS COMPREHENSIVELY AS THE MASIELLO ADMINISTRATION TO UPGRADE THE CONDITION OF ALL OUR CITY PARKS - LARGE OR SMALL,
OLMSTED-DESIGNED OR NOT.

I AM DETERMINED TO CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT TO: REFORRESTATION;
CLEANLINESS;
SAFETY; AND
MAINTAINING AND RESTORING OUR CITY PARKS SYSTEM.

WITH OVER $5 MILLION INVESTED IN OUR PARKS OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS, WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

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IV. A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

UPON BECOMING MAYOR, I STATED THAT MY ADMINISTRATION WOULD ADHERE TO A BASIC AGENDA THAT WOULD GUIDE OUR POLICIES. KNOWN AS THE THREE E'S, OUR AGENDA SOUGHT TO BRING INTO FOCUS THREE CRITICAL AREAS OF OUR CITY'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT:

EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT MANY ASPECTS OF OUR AGENDA HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED - AND I SHOULD NOTE THAT OUR ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS RELIED HEAVILY ON OUR ABILITY TO REINVENT THE VERY NATURE OF DOING BUSINESS IN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT.

BEGINNING IN 1994 WITH NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMITS AND OTHER PUBLIC FORUMS, I SET ABOUT TO LISTEN TO WHAT CONCERNED THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY.

FROM THOSE MEETINGS, MANY ISSUES CAME TO LIGHT WHICH DEMANDED OUR ATTENTION AND I LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT OUR RESIDENTS' NEEDS AND DESIRES - AT A VERY LOCALIZED, NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL.

THOSE EARLY MEETINGS HAVE INFLUENCED MANY OF MY ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES. BUT TWO VERY IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL POLICY INITIATIVES HAVE RESULTED FROM THAT TIME.

BOTH OF THESE INITIATIVES WILL HAVE A PROFOUND AND LASTING INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND CITY GOVERNANCE. I AM PROUD THAT THEY WILL HAVE COME TO FRUITION DURING MY TERM AS MAYOR.

1. NEW CITY CHARTER:

THANKS TO THE HERCULEAN EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO TRULY LOVE THEIR CITY AND WHO DEVOTED COUNTLESS HOURS OF SELFLESS EFFORT, WE NOW HAVE IN PLACE - FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 70 YEARS -- A REVISED CITY CHARTER.

- CONSOLIDATION AND BETTER COORDINATION OF CITY DEPARMENTS, AND MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF CITY SERVICES.

- NEW DIVISION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING (REPLACING FORMER DEPT. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT): RESPONSIBLE FOR LONG-RANGE PLANNING AND RESOURCE COORDINATION ACROSS ALL CITY AGENCIES.

- NEW DEPT. OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO HANDLE ALL PERSONNEL MATTERS MORE PROFESSIONALLY.

- NEW DEPT. OF PERMIT AND INSPECTION SERVICES DESIGNED FOR ONE-STOP DEVELOPMENT SHOPPING.

- NEW DEPT. OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SERVICES (REPLACING OLD DATA PROCESSING DEPT) WILL HELP BETTER INTEGRATE OUR CITY'S TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS.

- THE MERGING OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF PUBLIC WORKS, STREETS AND PARKS INTO A UNIFIED DEPARTMENT WILL BETTER EQUIP THE CITY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS (LIKE THE NOVEMBER SNOWSTORM) AND TO USE OUR RESOURCES MORE EFFICIENTLY.

-THE DEPT. OF GENERAL SERVICES HAS MERGED WITH THE DEPT. OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE; AND

-THE CITY IS NOW REQUIRED TO PUBLISH QUARTERLY GAP ESTIMATES AS WELL AS FIVE-YEAR BUDGET PROJECTIONS. OUR FIRST FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN WAS COMPLETED IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMON COUNCIL IN EARLY DECEMBER AND WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE LONG-RANGE PLANS TO ADDRESS FINANCIAL ISSUES.

2. CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

IN ADDITION TO OUR NEW CITY CHARTER, WE WILL ROLL OUT OUR FIRST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN OVER 25 YEARS THIS SPRING.

IT WILL BE THE SPRINGBOARD FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING INITIATIVE AS WELL AS A JOURNEY INVOLVING CITIZENS IN THE PLANNING OF OUR FUTURE.

THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF MY OWN LISTENING TOUR, SENATOR CLINTON.

OUR TWO-YEAR NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT EFFORTS LED TO CHARTER REVISIONS AND A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CITIZENS' NEEDS AND DESIRES VIS-A-VIS GOVERNMENT AND THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES.

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL BE BASED ON CENSUS 200 DATA AND WILL BE OUR ROAD MAP TO THE FUTURE.

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V. A PLATFORM FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

HAVING SPENT THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS OF MY TENURE AS MAYOR TAKING CARE OF A HOST OF STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES IN CITY GOVERNMENT, WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE BEYOND THESE MATTERS AND BUILD UPON THE SOLID FOUNDATION WE HAVE ESTABLISHED.

MY ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE A MULTI-FACETED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROACH THAT WILL INCLUDE:

1. NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WE ARE STRENGTHENING COMMERCIAL BUSINESS DISTRICTS THOUGHOUT THE CITY AND CONTINUING TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS:

- CITY'S LIVE ZONES PROGRAM SUPPORTS EXISTING BUSINESSES IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS WITH LOANS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (e.g., BAILEY AVENUE SEAFOOD).

- WE'RE WORKING WITH BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS. TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES (e.g., TALKING LEAVES ON ELMWOOD; SAVE-A-LOT ON GENESSE ST.).

- WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW SUPERMARKETS ON THE CITY'S EAST AND WEST SIDES.

- THE SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER WILL OPEN AT THE APOLLO THEATRE IN FEBRUARY.
NEW CENTER WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO CAPITAL (BERC'S NEW MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM), TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE.

A SIMILAR RESOURCE CENTER IS TARGETED FOR THE WEST SIDE ONCE THE APOLLO CENTER IS UP AND RUNNING.

BERC IS WORKING ON CREATING SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS AS A SPIN OFF TO THE NEW RESOURCE CENTERS.

THANKS TO THE COMMITMENT OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER AND THE KEY SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR PATAKI, NEW YORK'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONES WERE TRANSFORMED INTO THE NEW EMPIRE ZONES.

NOW BUFFALO'S EXISTING EMPIRE ZONE WILL BE DOUBLED TO FOUR SQUARE MILES - EXPANDING OUR ABILITY TO ENTICE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR CITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERICAL DISTRICTS.

2. BUSINESS RETENTION AND CREATION
80% OF JOB GROWTH IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO OCCURS THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMPANIES.

TO SUPPORT THIS EXPANSION, MY ADMINISTRATION CREATED THE BUFFALO ONE ON ONE PROGRAM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO COMPLIMENT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA ENTERPRISE BUSINESS ATTRACTION INITIATIVES.

OUR ONE ON ONE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FOUR KEY AREAS:
- BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRIVATE BUSINESS AND PUBLIC SECTOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES;

- LINKING BUSINESSES TO PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT GROWTH;

- CREATING A TEAM OF SERVICE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE, TO RESPOND TO SPECIFIC NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF BUSINESS; AND

- ESTABLISHING A DATABASE WITH PROFILES OF EACH COMPANY TO TRACK TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE BUFFALO MORE COMPETITIVE FOR JOB-CREATING COMPANIES.

3. TARGETED LAND DEVELOPMENT

AS PART OF BUFFALO'S COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, WE:

- WILL BREAK GROUND THIS YEAR FOR THE ADELPHIA PROJECT:
CREATING 1,500 NEW 21ST CENTURY JOBS (AND THOUSANDS MORE IN SUPPORT SERVICES) - AND AN ENHANCED CITY IMAGE.

- ANTICIPATE COMPLETING THE DEAL WITH THE CORDISH COMPANY, WHICH WILL BRING JOBS, EXCITEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE SOUTH END OF MAIN STREET. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE RENOVATION OF THE AUD.
- A LONGSTANDING CENTERPIECE OF MY ADMINISTRATION'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA IS BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT.

WITH NEARLY HALF OF OUR CITY'S 42 SQUARE MILES ONCE HAVING SUPPORTED SOME FORM OF COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT IS CRITICAL TO SMART GROWTH. IT SIMPLY MAKES SENSE.

- BECAUSE OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE, CONTINUING INVESTMENT AND NOW, WITH GOVERNOR PATAKI'S AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOEL GIAMBRA'S SUPPORT, 2001 WILL BE THE YEAR WE BEGIN THE BUILD-OUT OF THE UNION SHIP CANAL PROJECT.
THIS PROJECT WILL OPEN OVER 100 ACRES IN OUR SOUTH BUFFALO REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ZONE, BRINGING TO FRUITION BUFFALO'S FIRST NEW BUSINESS PARK IN SEVERAL YEARS.

- WE WILL CONTINUE THE REVISION OF OUR INNER HARBOR PROJECT, TAKING CARE TO PROPERLY CELEBRATE THE ERIE CANAL'S LEGACY - INCLUDING THE RESTORED COMMERICAL SLIP, THE CENTRAL WHARF AND HISTORIC STREETS.

- WE HAVE TARGETED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAIN/HIGH MEDICAL CORRIDOR THROUGH CENTRAL PARK PLAZA AND WILLIAM GAITER PARKWAY TO UB'S SOUTH CAMPUS, WHERE THE UNIVERSITY AND CITY ARE COLLABORATING ON A POTENTIAL RESEARCH PARK.

- DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NFTA HAVE RESULTED IN THAT AGENCY'S COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF KEY OUTER HARBOR LAND PARCELS.

4. TARGETED SECTORS

SUCCESS OF THE BUFFALO BYTE BELT CAN BE MEASURED:
- I-TECH COMPANIES HAVE CREATED 3,000 JOBS IN OUR DOWNTOWN CORE AND HAVE ABSORBED ALMOST 200,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE.

BASED ON THIS SUCCESS, I NOW CALL FOR THE CREATION OF AN "INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE" FOR DOWNTOWN, IDEALLY LOCATED WITHIN THE THEATER DISTRICT WHERE A STRONG I.T. BASE ALREADY EXISTS AND WHERE THE CITY'S FIRST NEW OFFICE BUILDING IN MANY YEARS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.

TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE BYTE BELT, LAST YEAR I ESTABLISHED THE NEW BUFFALO BYTE BELT CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVE.

THIS NEW PROGRAM COMPLEMENTS THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION'S "WIRED BUILDING" PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES GRANTS OF UP TO $75,000 TO HELP DEVELOPERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS MODERNIZE OLD BUILDINGS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.

WITHIN THE BYTE BELT, BERC OFFERS PROPERTY OWNERS, DEVELOPERS AND INDIVIDUAL I.T. BUSINESSES THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR GRANTS OF UP TO $15,000 PER APPLICANT.

THIS ONE TIME DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR MATCH WOULD REIMBURSE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR THE COSTS OF WIRING BUILDINGS, INTERNET CONNECTION FEES AND HARDWARE COSTS.

- THE DEVELOPING MEDICAL CORRIDOR INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM.

LATER THIS MONTH, I WILL TRAVEL TO LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY TO SEE FIRSTHAND THAT CITY'S SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL CORRIDOR. I WILL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR MEDICAL CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP, INLUDING:
U.B., KALIEDA, ROSWELL PARK AND THE HAUPTMAN-WOODWARD INSTITUTE.

I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE MEDICAL CORRIDOR HOLDS GREAT PROMISE FOR ALL OF WNY - AND ESPECIALLY FOR U.B.

JUST LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR PATAKI ANNOUNCED THAT U.B. WOULD BECOME NEW YORK'S FIRST CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE.

U.B., ALONG WITH OUR OTHER MEDICAL CORRIDOR PARTNERS, WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE NYSTAR APPLICATION, WHICH WE HOPE WILL BRING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUFFALO FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND JOB CREATION.

WITH THESE TYPES OF PARTNERSHIPS - PRIVATE SECTOR, PUBLIC SECTOR AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS - THE PROSPECT IS VERY BRIGHT FOR CONTINUED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

IN ADDITION, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER BUFFALO NIAGARA POSITIONS OUR REGION FOR GREATER INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH WILL PROVIDE GREATER VALUE TO OUR CITY'S STATUS AS A CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE AND TRADE.

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VI. A REINVENTED CITY GOVERNMENT

FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS, MY ADMINISTRATION HAS SOUGHT WAYS TO REINVENT THE WAY CITY GOVERNMENT DOES BUSINESS.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS, REQUIRING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO OUR OVERALL OBJECTIVES. TO MAINTAIN THAT COMMITMENT, I PLEDGE THE FOLLOWING:

1. BETTER CITY SERVICES

- WE WILL BRING CITY GOVERNMENT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY - BY MAKING CITY SERVICES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.
BUILDING PERMITS AND PAYMENTS FOR CITY SERVICES LIKE WATER BILLS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET THIS YEAR.

- WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARNERSHIP, WE HAVE STUDIED THE ENTIRE PERMITTING PROCESS, INCLUDING NEW-BUILD AND REHAB BUILDING PERMIT FEES.
I EXPECT A REPORT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THAT WILL PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BRINGING GREATER CONTINUITY AND LOGIC TO THE OVERALL PERMIT PROCESS.

COMBINED WITH A NEW STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE, WHICH RESULTED FROM LEGISLATION MY ADMINISTRATION CHAMPIONED TWO YEARS AGO, I BELIEVE THE FUTURE POTENTIAL OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CITY OF BUFFALO WILL BE THE ENVY OF OUR SUBURBAN NEIGHBORS.

WE WILL ALSO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY - AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY - WITH THE CITYWIDE EXPANSION OF OUR SUCCESSFUL TRASH RECEPTICLE PLAN.

WHAT BEGAN AS A PILOT PROGRAM ON THE CITY'S LOWER WEST SIDE WILL BE EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE CITY BY THE END OF 2001.

2. SOUND FISCAL POLICIES

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR CITYWIDE PROPERTY REVALUATION - WHICH ATTEMPTS TO BRING ASSESSED VALUES INTO LINE WITH MARKET VALUES, SO THAT TAXATION IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE.

THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IF WE ARE TO BE COMPETITIVE -
BUT IT IS, BY NO MEANS, EASY.

IN ORDER TO KEEP RATES STABLE AT THE NEW VALUES, WE MUST LOWER OUR TAX LEVY BY ABOUT $16 MILLION IN ONE YEAR ALONE.

I HAVE CALLED UPON THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE CITY TO HELP OFFSET THE IMPACT OF THE REVAL.

THIS FUNDING WILL HELP US GET BACK ON OUR FEET.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT IS GOING TO BE UP TO US TO WALK THE WALK-- AND TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

IN ORDER TO BE A COMPETITIVE REGION, ONE THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, WE CANNOT RAISE TAXES. TO DO SO WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

IN FACT, GOVERNOR PATAKI IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS CALLED FOR FURTHER STATEWIDE TAX CUTS.

I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE STATE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND I RECOGNIZE THAT CUTTING TAXES IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF SUCH A STRATEGY.

THAT IS WHY, LAST YEAR, MY BUDGET INCLUDED:
- A 5.08% TAX CUT FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY; AND

- FOR THE 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR HELD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX RATES FLAT.

THIS HAS NOT BEEN EASY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES BUFFALO HAS FACED.
BUT WE CANNOT EXPECT TO MAINTAIN ANY LEVEL OF COMPETITIVENESS IF WE RESORT TO RAISING PROPERTY TAXES.

I AM VERY PROUD OF OUR FISCAL TRACK RECORD:
- SINCE 1996-97, WE HAVE ACTUALLY DROPPED THE TOTAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY BY $12.89 MILLION;

- WE HAVE CLOSED $150 MILLION IN BUDGET SHORTFALLS; AND

- BUFFALO IS OPERATING ON LESS OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS NOW THAN IT WAS WHEN I BECAME MAYOR IN 1994.

THE WALL STREET RATING AGENCIES HAVE SHOWN THEIR APPRECIATION FOR OUR EFFORTS BY UPGRADING THE CITY'S CREDIT OUTLOOK IN 1999.

THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN DESPITE THE RATERS' EXPLICIT CONCERNS OVER THE THEN-UNRESLOVED TEACHERS' CONTRACT DISPUTE.

NOW THAT THAT ISSUE IS BEHIND US, I HOPE WE CAN GET A FURTHER UPGRADE IN OUR CREDIT RATING THIS YEAR.

 

THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, MY ADMINISTRATION WORKED WITH THE CITY COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMON COUNCIL IN PREPARING A FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET.

AT $120 MILLION, WE CAME IN $1 MILLION UNDER THE CITY COMPTROLLER'S RECOMMENDED SPENDING CAP.

THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT DEMONSTRATION OF THE BENEFIT OF WORKING TOGETHER - ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF OUR ENTIRE CITY.

WITH SOUND FISCAL PRACTICES FIRMLY IN PLACE, AND WITH NEW CHARTER MANDATES TO GUIDE US, I AM CONFIDENT WE HAVE POSITIONED BUFFALO FOR A SOUND FINANCIAL FUTURE.

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VII. A HEALTHY URBAN ENVIRONMENT

- BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION AND REDEVELOPMENT IS CRITICAL TO BOTH OUR CITY'S FUTURE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

- CREATION OF A NEW DIVISION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS WITHIN MY ADMINISTRATION WILL ENHANCE OUR PROACTIVE APPROACH TO PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

- IN APRIL 1999, I SIGNED A CITYWIDE PESTICIDE SUNSET ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL ELIMINATE PESTICIDE USE ON ALL CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES BY 2002. THIS ORDINANCE IS REGARDED AS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR CITIES SEEKING TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF PESTICIDES.

- MY ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO DOGGEDLY PURSUE STATE LEGISLATION THAT PLACES THE BURDEN FOR CLEAN UP LIABILITY WHERE IT BELONGS -
UPON WHOSE WHO CONTAMINATED THE LAND -
RATHER THAN ON THE MUNICIPALITIES AND DEVELOPERS WHO WANT TO DEVELOP BROWNFIELDS.

I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR TAKING AN INCREASED INTEREST IN BROWNFIELDS. DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SITES IS CRUCIAL TO OUR ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE.

WE WILL PURSUE THIS TO THE END - BECAUSE IT'S THE SMART THING TO DO - AND IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

WITH REGARD TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A CITYWIDE TREE INVENTORY AND PLANTING PROGRAM.

WE'RE WORKING TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE UNIQUE WILDLIFE HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM AT TIMES BEACH ON THE CITY'S OUTER HARBOR.

AND THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS LIKE:
"KEEP WESTERN NEW YORK BEAUTIFUL"
"FRIENDS OF THE BUFFALO RIVER"
THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS CONSERVANCY
"BUFFALO THE BEAUTIFUL", AND
"BUFFALO IN BLOOM"

… ALL SECTIONS OF OUR CITY HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THEIR IMPORTANT AND INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE CITY WORK.

I BELIEVE THE GREEN/GOLD INITIATIVE, CREATED BY COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT JAMES PITTS IS A WORTHY ENVIRONMENTAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT THAT SHOULD BE PURSUED TO PROTECT RESOURCES AND STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE MY COMMITMENT TO EXPLORING EVERY POSSIBLE AVENUE FOR RESOLVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF THE HOMEOWNERS IN THE HICKORY WOODS DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH BUFFALO.

FROM THE BEGINNING, I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE RESIDENTS - AS WELL AS THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES -
TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HOMEOWNERS' PROPERTIES; AND
TO FOLLOW THE RESPONSIBLE COURSE IN REMEDYING THE SITUATION BY RELYING ON THESE AGENCY EXPERTS.

I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE MY CALL TO LTV STEEL TO STEP FORWARD AND REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR THE $1 MILLION WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT AT THE HICKORY WOODS DEVELOPMENT, WHICH BORDERS LTV'S PROPERTY.

THIS OHIO-BASED CORPORATION HAS ENTERED BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS --WHICH COULD PROTECT IT FROM FUTURE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CLEAN UP OF ITS FORMERLY OWNED PROPERTIES.

YOU HAVE MY WORD THAT MY ADMINISTRATION WILL EXHAUST EVERY AVENUE AVAILABLE TO IT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT LTV -
AND EVERY OTHER CORPORATE POLLUTER-
PAYS FOR CLEANING UP THE MESS THEY LEFT BEHIND.

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VIII. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

THE EXCITING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES I HAVE NOTED - WORTH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS - PRESENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CITIZENS.

THE FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR JOB CREATION, JOB GROWTH, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ARE VERY ENCOURAGING:

- THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT, WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO USE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE JOB READINESS TRAINING TO OUR CITIZENS - PARTICULARLY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDERTRAINED OR UNDEREDUCATED FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE GIAMBRA AND I HAVE CREATED A VEHICLE TO TACKLE THIS VITAL EFFORT. WE ARE ALREADY CONDUCTING TRAINING AT THE FATHER BELLE CENTER AND THE JFK COMMUNITY CENTER.

- THE SCHOOLS NEW BUILD AND REHAB PROJECT WILL BRING IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION JOBS - AND I'M ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED BY THE STRONG SUPPORT OF OUR AREA'S BUILDING TRADE UNIONS.

THE UNION LEADERS CORRECTLY RECOGNIZED THE REMARKABLE JOB CREATION POTENTIAL OF THE ADELPHIA PROJECT, THE WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT EFFORT, THE PEACE BRIDGE AND THE SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

I THEREFORE CALL UPON OUR UNION LEADERS TO WORK WITH THE CITY, THE COUNTY AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO GUARANTEE MAXIMUM MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS PARTICIPATION ON ALL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.

STATE AND CITY STANDARDS EXIST TO GUIDE US REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THESE PROJECTS - BUT WE MUST EXCEED THE CURRENT STANDARDS FOR M/WBE INVOLVEMENT.

AS WE ENTER AN ERA OF UNPRECEDENTED CONSTRUCTION, WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR APPRENTICE TRAINING AND OTHER JOB DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO DO IT WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND OUR BACK.

ONE FINAL OBSERVATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT:

YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT BY HSBC BANK OF ITS 15 YEAR, 4000 JOB COMMITMENT --

ALONG WITH RECENT INVESTMENTS BY M&T BANK, ADELPHIA, AND GRAPHIC CONTROLS -

ALL POINT TO THE FACT THAT WE MUST PROVIDE A PROPERLY TRAINED AND EDUCATED WORKFORCE FOR OUR REGION'S CURRENT AND FUTURE EMPLOYERS.

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IX. HISTORIC PRESERVATION

BUFFALO IS HOME TO A WIDE ARRAY OF HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES. IN AN EFFORT TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THESE VALUABLES, WE'VE DEVELOPED A STRONG AND IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

- HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS A KEY ELEMENT OF OUR PLAN TO MAKE BUFFALO THE BEST CITY OF 300,00 IN THE NATION.

- WE ARE ENGAGED IN MANY SPECIAL PROJECTS LIKE:
-RE-USE OF THE WORLD FAMOUS H.H. RICHARDSON CAMPUS FOR OUR OLMSTED SCHOOL PROGRAM; AND
-RESTORATION OF THE DARWIN MARTIN HOUSE, THE ERIE CANAL AND SITE OF THE FINAL STOP ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN BRODERICK PARK.

THESE SPECIAL SITES - ALONG WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS - MAKE BUFFALO UNIQUE.

THEY ARE A TESTAMENT TO OUR PAST - AND ALSO KEYS TO OUR FUTURE. PART OF OUR WORK ON THE COMPREHENSIVE CITY PLAN INVOLVES TAKING A LOOK AT HOW WE APPROACH PRESERVATION IN BUFFALO.

WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS, AS THE 2001 RECIPIENT OF IT COMMUNITY EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE 10 -15 BUFFALONIANS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO, VISIT AND LEARN ABOUT THE WAYS OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE USED HISTORIC PRESERVATION AS AN ECONOMIC TOOL -- AND HOW OTHER AREAS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES.

MY ADMINISTRATION WILL BE WORKING WITH ALL INVOLVED IN THE REVITALIZATION OF OUR CITY TO MAKE THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF OUR URBAN FABRIC A PRIORITY.

WE KNOW THAT PRESERVATION PAYS.

AND WE BELIEVE BUFFALO IS SITTING ON A GOLDMINE.

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X. CITY OF GREAT CULTURAL TREASURES

EVERYONE AGREES THAT BUFFALO POSSESSES A REMARKABLE ARRAY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES:

WHETHER IT'S THE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT WESTERN TERMINUS OF THE ERIE CANAL, OR THE MICHIGAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH...

THE ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY, OR KLEINHAN'S MUSIC HALL…

WE HAVE A COLLECTION OF CULTURAL TREASURES THAT MUST BE PRESERVED AND PROMOTED.

ANOTHER OF MY PRIORITIES IS TO INCLUDE ALL OUR CULTURAL ASSETS IN AN OVERALL TOURIST PROGRAM.

TO THAT END, I CALL FOR THE CREATION OF A CULTURAL ASSETS PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL FOCUS ON MARKETING, REINVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES TO GENERATE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN -- AND RECOGNITION OF -- OUR CITY'S WORLD CLASS TREASURES.

FOR TOO LONG, WE HAVE WORKED INDEPENDENTLY OF ONE ANOTHER. IT IS NOW TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK IN A UNIFIED PARTNERSHIP TO PROMOTE OUR PEERLESS COLLECTION OF CULTURAL ASSETS.

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XI. A BETTER FUTURE

LIKE THE BUFFALONIANS OF 1901, I BELIEVE WE HAVE MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN OUR CITY - BOTH IN THE NEAR TERM AND OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

I AM HEARTENED BY THE INTEREST OF OUR STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE BROUGHT INTO FOCUS THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF BUFFALO AND WESTERN NEW YORK.

SENATOR CLINTON UNDERSCORED THESE ISSUES WHEN SHE LAUNCHED HER CAMPAIGN IN BUFFALO LAST FEBRUARY AND I KNOW SHE WILL FIGHT FOR US IN WASHINGTON, ALONG WITH SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

AND WHAT GREAT NEWS FOR BUFFALO TO HAVE OUR GOOD FRIEND ASSEMBLYMAN PAUL TOKASZ APPOINTED MAJORITY LEADER OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.

IMAGINE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A DEMOCRAT FROM ERIE COUNTY HAS HELD THIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT POST IN OVER 100 YEARS.

AS I NOTED EARLIER, GOVERNOR PATAKI HAS REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED HIS RECOGNITION OF UPSTATE'S UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS.

THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE PROVEN FRIENDS OF BUFFALO. THEY HAVE LISTENED TO OUR CONCERNS AND THEY HAVE DEVELOPED CREATIVE INITIATIVES TO AUGMENT THE WORK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT - MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE-IS THAT OUR ISSUES ARE NOT DEFINED BY PARTISAN POLITICS.

THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS, ALONG WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES, HAVE RESPONDED TO MANY OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS NOT BECAUSE IT'S GOOD POLITICS -

BUT BECAUSE IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.

BUFFALO IS THE COMMERCIAL, CULTURAL, AND GOVERNMENTAL CENTER OF OUR REGION.

I AM ENCOURAGED BY ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOEL GIAMBRA'S COMMITMENT TO A VIABLE AND REVITALIZED BUFFALO.

TOWARD THAT END, WE HAVE COLLABORATED ON A VARIETY OF PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, THE ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT, THE PEACE BRIDGE PROJECT AND A HOST OF OTHER EFFORTS.

I AM ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S INVESTMENT OF $5 MILLION IN OUR CITY SCHOOLS AND $2 MILLION IN OUR BROWNFIELD CLEAN UP EFFORTS.

JOEL AND I WILL PUT IN PLACE A REGIONAL AGENDA THAT WILL RESULT IN BETTER PLANNING, BETTER GOVERNMENT AND BETTER COOPERATION AMONG CITY AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT RELATIONSHIP AS WE MOVE FURTHER INTO THE 21ST CENTURY AND I SHARE MANY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S VIEWS ON GREATER REGIONAL COOPERATION.

LAST YEAR, I CALLED FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DUPLICATIVE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND I CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT A BALKANIZED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ENTIRE REGION.
MY STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S STAFF IN PURSUING DOABLE AND ACHIEVEABLE CITY/COUNTY CONSOLIDATIONS.

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XII. THE CITY OF LIGHT

THIS YEAR'S PAN AM CELEBRATION WILL RECALL A TIME WHEN BUFFALO WAS KNOWN AS THE CITY OF LIGHT.

WE NEEDN'T SETTLE FOR THAT DESCRIPTION TO ONLY APPLY TO OUR CITY IN TERMS OF ITS PAST.

WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH OVER THE COURSE OF OUR CITY'S HISTORY AND HAVE WEATHERED MANY STORMS - AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMY AND AT THE HANDS OF MOTHER NATURE.

OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, MY ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED TO RE-ESTABLISH THE VITALITY OF BUFFALO.

IT IS CLEAR THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE MAY NOT HAVE ACHIEVED ALL OF OUR GOALS, BUT WE HAVE MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.
I APPLAUD THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEIR TIME AND THEIR TALENTS TOWARD MAKING OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

ON ISSUES RANGING FROM THE PEACE BRIDGE TO THE INNER HARBOR, REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENT AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, CITIZENS FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR CITY HAVE SPOKEN OUT THIS PAST YEAR.

AND, AS A RESULT, PUBLIC POLICY CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

BOTH PRODUCT AND PROCESS HAVE IMPROVED.

THERE IS A GREAT DEAL MORE TO BE DONE AND YOU HAVE MY FIRM COMMITMENT TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MOVE OUR CITY IN A POSITIVE AND PROGRESSIVE DIRECTION.

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THE STRATEGIES TO EMPLOY, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE ENERGY OF OUR EFFORT WILL NEVER WANE.

 

I PLEDGE TO DO ALL I CAN TO BREAK DOWN THE WALLS THAT DIVIDE US. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CREATE AN EVEN STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT BUFFALO - A CITY WHOSE SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY IS ITS DIVERSITY AND ACCEPTANCE.

I'D LIKE TO CLOSE WITH ONE FINAL THOUGHT.

YOU ALL KNOW THAT THREE DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING, WE WERE ROCKED WITH A SNOWSTORM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER.

BUT BECAUSE WE HAD A PLAN IN PLACE;
BECAUSE WE COORDINATED OUR EFFORTS WITH THOSE OF OTHERS;
BECAUSE ALL OF US WORKED TOGETHER TO HELP THOSE IN NEED;
AND BECAUSE EACH OF US DID OUR PART TO RE-OPEN THE CITY -

WE TRIUMPHED!

I PROMISE YOU THAT THE MASIELLO ADMINISTRATION WILL WORK TO INCORPORATE THOSE LESSONS INTO ALL OF OUR PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES.

THANK YOU.

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