STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR

Press Office
518-474-8418
212-681-4640
http://www.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE, Monday
November 29, 2004

GOVERNOR: BASS PRO SHOPS COMING TO DOWNTOWN BUFFALO

National Outdoor Recreation Store Commits to Open Second Store in New York Will Create 400 Jobs and Attract up to 5 Million Shoppers Annually to Western NY

Governor George E. Pataki today joined Congressmen Thomas Reynolds and Jack Quinn and a host of State and local officials to announce that Bass Pro Shops will open a new multi-million dollar superstore in Downtown Buffalo and create 400 new jobs. The new superstore will serve as the centerpiece and anchor tenant of a major development effort to transform the vacant Memorial Auditorium - "The Aud." The new project will include the new Bass Pro shop, along with a new Erie Canal Heritage/Great Lakes Museum, hotel and restaurant.

"Bass Pro Shops decision to open a new superstore in Downtown Buffalo - their second store in New York is tremendous news for Western New York. The major redevelopment of 'The Aud' will transform Downtown Buffalo into a major 'must see' tourist destination, create hundreds of new jobs and attract millions of visitors from throughout Western New York, the entire Northeast and Canada," Governor Pataki said. "We made a commitment to the people of Western New York and Buffalo that we would do everything possible to bring Bass Pro to the region, and I am proud that we have delivered this major 'catch' to make that promise a reality."

"As we move forward with our comprehensive efforts to revitalize Buffalo and Western New York's economy, we will attract even more jobs to the region and be well on our way to reaching our statewide goal of creating one million new jobs by the end of the decade."

U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds said, "This announcement is a tremendous boost not only for downtown Buffalo, but for all of Western New York. The jobs created by Bass Pro, as well as opportunities for more job creation through tourism and increased downtown activity, will provide a great economic boost for the area. Governor Pataki's leadership, Bass Pro's commitment, and the teamwork of so many in the public and private sectors are making this project a reality."

U.S. Representative Jack Quinn said, "What great news for Buffalo! A Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World facility at the Memorial Auditorium will be a real shot-in-the-arm for our community's efforts to develop Buffalo's waterfront. The commitment of over $31 million in federal and local matching funds laid the ground work for Bass Pro Shops' major private investment at the Erie Canal Harbor. Bass Pro Shops will be the first piece of the waterfront puzzle, serving as a major anchor tenant, creating jobs for area residents and bringing sportsmen, families and visitors from throughout the region to the waterfront."

U.S Representative Quinn added, "In less than a year from the commitment of Governor Pataki in his 2004 State of the State Address and serious discussions with Empire State Development, the team of public leaders, 'waterfront quarterback' Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello, Governor Pataki, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, the New York State Legislature, Empire State Development, and the NFTA and have brought us to this pivotal point in the redevelopment of the Erie Canal Harbor."

Senator Dale M. Volker said, "Governor Pataki has been a tremendous supporter of Western New York since taking office and our region has benefited greatly from his policies of directing the State of New York to be active partners with our private sector to improve our region's economy. Bass Pro locating one of its superstores into downtown Buffalo is another example of these policies in action. Our delegation has always been a driving force in the state legislature to work in a bipartisan fashion to create an economic environment conducive for job creation, business expansion and improved opportunities for western New Yorkers. We can all be proud of this major announcement by Bass Pro and we look forward to working with them as their project comes to fruition."

Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz said, "No pun intended, but this Bass Pro project will be the anchor retail facility in Buffalo's Inner Harbor development. The potential of additional private investment in the lower Main Street area, which would tie in nearby heritage and tourism sites, such as the Buffalo Naval and Military Park, make this a good investment for the State of New York. I'm pleased to be a part of it."

Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra said, "This is the hook that our waterfront needs to help reel in other developers to Western New York. Today's announcement is the culmination of months of intense negotiation and hard work by so many dedicated people including our federal delegation as well as state and local leaders. Governor Pataki has made it his top priority to provide Buffalo with the tools for our re-birth. He and his staff have worked so hard to make this project possible and we are grateful for his steadfast commitment to our area."

Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello said, "Bass Pro is a nationally renowned retailer that will bring a multi-dimensional destination attraction to our Inner Harbor. We need to bring new people, new money and new ideas from outside our region and nobody can do it better than Bass Pro. This announcement begins the round out to our Inner Harbor area and will provide economic benefits for years to come. On behalf of the citizens of Buffalo, I would like to welcome Bass Pro."

Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale said, "We are extremely proud to be announcing our second store in the great State of New York and look forward to becoming a part of the Buffalo community. This is an exciting project that everyone from this area will enjoy."

Bass Pro Shops' superstore will serve as the anchor tenant for the multi-million dollar project in Downtown Buffalo that will include a hotel, theme restaurant and a new Erie Canal Heritage/Great Lakes Museum. It is anticipated that the superstore, restaurant and hotel would create a total annual benefit $16.6 million to the Western New York economy.

The Bass Pro Shops Buffalo store will be approximately 250,000 square feet and will anchor the project that also includes a museum/interpretive center, hotel and themed full service restaurant. Bass Pro Shops unique, award-winning, mega size outdoor stores are known for combining retail with
entertainment, conservation and outdoor education. A gift and nature
center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.

The expansive boat showroom will be located on land and water and will feature Tracker, Nitro and Tahoe boats built by Tracker Marine Group-the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats. Bass Pro Shops unique exterior and interior motifs have branded them as visually appealing, high quality outdoor stores. The outdoor feel is brought indoors through massive log and rock work, large indoor aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species, as well as an extensive collection of museum quality fish and wildlife mounts. Bass Pro Shops is known for its great customer service.

Today's announcement reflects a tremendous partnership between the Federal, State and local government. As part of the multi-million project to open a new Bass Pro superstore and redevelop and transform "The Aud," a total of $31 million in Federal funding, $21 million in State funding and $14 million in funding from Erie County and the City of Buffalo will be provided in support of the project.

The $31 million in federal support, which was secured by Congressmen Quinn and Reynolds, will be used to develop a planned Intermodal Center for Downtown Buffalo with a 1,000-space structured parking ramp. A total of $16 million of the $31 million in Federal funds will support the development of a Great Lakes theme museum in the Buffalo Inner Harbor, which will be connected to the store.

The $21 million in funding from the State will support the renovation of "The Aud" and will come from funds that were previously committed to Downtown Buffalo. As part of the project, the Donovan Building will also be demolished and New York State employees currently working in that building will be relocated to another downtown office space. The relocation of State workers throughout downtown will also act as a further stimulus to the community.

In addition to the $21 million in State support and relocation of State employees to another downtown office space, Bass Pro Shops superstore may also be eligible for low cost power through the New York Power Authority.

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development said, "Today's announcement is the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication by New York State, its federal and local partners, and Bass Pro Shops. It is a major victory for the people of Buffalo, the surrounding communities and the state economy."

"Successful public-private partnerships such as these allow us to attract jobs and investment across New York State, and create new opportunities for our hardworking citizens," Gargano added. "Thanks to Governor Pataki's pro-growth policies and nationally recognized workforce we are able to attract outstanding businesses such as Bass Pro Shops. Today is further proof positive that New York State is the place to do business."

Earlier this summer, Governor Pataki announced that Bass Pro Shops would open a Sportsman Center, located at 1579 Clark Street Road in the Finger Lakes Mall in Auburn, N.Y. The 85,000 square-foot retail store - the newest addition to the Finger Lakes Mall - represents an investment of $14 million by Bass Pro Shops, and has created 185 new full-time equivalent jobs. The new store will attract up to 3 million shoppers per year. As the world's leading supplier of outdoor products, Bass Pro Shops offers equipment for hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, outdoor cooking, for example.

Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, has 26 retail locations in 13 states and Canada that attract some 66 million visitors a year. Bass Pro Shops also is a major catalog and Internet retailer.