NOVEMBER 27, 2007

COUNTY LEGISLATOR KENNEDY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE APPROVE HARBOR RENOVATION PROJECT

Erie County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-South Buffalo) and the Erie County Legislature's Economic Development Committee approved an up to $7 million project for the remediation and removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials from the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Buffalo by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation at its Monday, November 26, meeting.

The finding will come from $14 million in already-issued County bonds originally issued to assist in the development of public improvements related to the Buffalo waterfront development. The entire County Legislature is scheduled to approve the action at its 2 p.m. Thursday, November 29, session.

"The County Legislature lending its support in this effort to revitalize our waterfront is important. This Legislature wants to see the development happen along the water's edge," Legislator Kennedy, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee said. "The Legislature's decision to provide these financial resources is a necessary step in making inner harbor redevelopment a reality."

The ECHDC has prepared a plan for the removal of hazardous materials and the remediation and removal of asbestos from within the War Memorial Auditorium, in cooperation with the City of Buffalo, in preparation of future developments at the site.

"I believe that residents of Buffalo and Erie County have waited long enough for action to be taken on the remediation of asbestos at the War Memorial Auditorium site and want to see progress instead of talk," Legislator Kennedy said. "This is actual progress and a major step in the redevelopment of Buffalo's waterfront area."

(Legislator Kennedy is available for comment on his cell phone at 308-8910; this number is for media use only. For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.)

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