Bass Pro Update
Bass Pro proposes to build a large, campus-like store in the Pittsburgh area. Holding up the Buffalo Aud Bass Pro deal are issues concerning ground rent and PILOTs; you’ll recall that the WNY Coalition for Progress’ position paper recommended either or both for the Buffalo Deal.
Bass Pro says the Pittsburgh announcement doesn’t affect the Buffalo store adversely, and a marketing professor from Canisius agrees. Every store is different and is a destination, and Bass Pro has never closed a store. Bass Pro says it’s still pledging at least $57 million for the planned Aud store, so that’s good. Remember: the Buffalo store will have a unique emphasis on Great Lakes fishing - something Pittsburgh can’t do.
I hope that the new Waterfront Commission can help make some progress on the Buffalo store deal, which seems like it’s being held up by typical Albany laziness. If they don’t finalize this thing soon, it’s gone. And that’s not a good thing.
