August 9, 2012 The Honorable Byron W. Brown Mayor, City of Buffalo 201 City Hall Buffalo, NY 14202-3376 Dear Mayor Brown, As the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Webster Block stated, the Webster Block is Òone of the most sought after parcels of property in the Buffalo Niagara region.Ó I am writing to ask you to incorporate the community benefit criteria outlined below into the contract with the winning developer. As you know, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously passed a resolution that it would not transfer prime waterfront land at Canal Side to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) in the absence of a community benefit or like agreement to ensure that the public received a good return on its investment. Now that the City has decided to dispose of the Webster Bock itself, it is only fair and sensible that we hold ourselves to the same standard that we asked of the ECHDC.ÊIn short, I want to ensure that the Webster Block redevelopment, like all of the Canal Side redevelopment, adheres to certain basic high road development principles: local and minority hiring, quality job creation, opportunities for locally-owned, independent businesses, and green design and operations. It is worth noting as the OSP proceeds in their decision-making that both developers will be seeking subsidies to assist in their development. Subsidy programs were not created to assist companies that can clearly afford to develop on their own. These programs are in place to encourage economic development, create quality jobs, and draw in innovation and new ideas, not subsidize poverty level jobs in hotels or shift costs for wealthy developers onto the taxpayers. As a resident of the City of Buffalo, I expect a process that is open and transparent and a project that is committed to more than corporate welfare. The use of public land and taxpayer dollars demands the creation of family-supporting local jobs, the promotion of a healthy and sustainable environment, and an obvious community benefit.ÊWe implore you to make your decision with these considerations in mind. Sincerely, Your name Your address Your phone number Your email address