The mothballed Memorial Auditorium would be reborn as a regionalretail and entertainment destination as early as November 2003, witha gigantic sports shop as its centerpiece, if the vision of theproject's expected new developer becomes reality.
The Bos Group, a Maryland-based development partnership led byBuffalo native Mark A. Lichtman, has drawn up a blueprint forredeveloping the Aud and is expected to get a one-year contract asthe developer Friday.
Though smaller retailers, restaurants and entertainment venuesare part of the plan, the key to the project is landing a 140,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store. Bass Pro stores areto the retail world what Disney World is to the amusement parkindustry, with a typical store attracting about 2 million visitors ayear and drawing from a four- to six-state area.
The privately owned retail chain had nearly 28 million visitorsat the 14 stores it operated in 2001. The company's 400,000-square-foot flagship store in Springfield, Mo., attracts more than 4million visitors annually, making it one of that state's top touristdestinations.
'We're a lot more than just a sporting goods store,' said BassPro spokesman Larry Whitely. 'There's a recent retail term, 'shopper-tainment.' That's what we've been offering for 20 years.'
The expected choice of Lichtman's group as designated developerfor the Buffalo project has everything to do with his track recordin delivering Bass Pro stores, according to Mayor Anthony M.Masiello.
'Mark Lichtman has done deals with Bass Pro in the past and knowswhat it's going to take to get them here to Buffalo,' the mayorsaid. 'We're impressed with his resume in regards to Bass Pro andretail development in general.'
The veteran retail developer initiated the national expansion ofBass Pro Shops, completing nine of the 14 store deals the retailerhas done. Lichtman also has raised $150 million in public andprivate financing to complete the Bass Pro Outdoor World stores.
Lichtman's ties highlighted
Local development officials have been casting a line toward BassPro Shops for nearly two years, getting nibbles of interest, but nofirm commitment. With Lichtman as the lure, they believe they willincrease their chances of landing the prize catch.
In its proposal, the Bos Group highlights Lichtman's ties to BassPro and the man behind the hugely successful venture.
'Mark has a long-standing relationship with Johnny Morris,(founder) of Bass Pro Shops, and felt that this relationship wouldbe beneficial to the city. Mark's personal relationship with thefounder and president uniquely positions the Bos Group to be able toexecute a deal for Buffalo,' the development proposal states.
'The Bos Group's vision is to create a retail, dining andentertainment destination that will energize downtown and act as thevehicle for additional commercial, office and residentialdevelopment,' Lichtman and his partner, Phillip Kroskin, stated intheir proposal.
Because Buffalo is his hometown, Lichtman also noted, he has agood feel for what will work on the city's waterfront. Lichtman isthe son of Gary Pontiac founder Gary Lichtman.
'For him, the Aud represents a place of pride and identificationwith Buffalo's rich history,' the proposal states. 'To be a part ofremaking that history is a unique opportunity for Mark and the BosGroup. As such, we are fully prepared to commit all of our talentsand resources to ensure the project's success.'
To that end, Development Downtown, the panel leading downtownwaterfront development efforts, is expected to assign Lichtman andhis company 'designated developer status' when it meets Friday. TheBos Group's involvement will expedite the project, said AlanDeLisle, Downtown Development president.
'In the Bos Group, we get someone with a proven track record indevelopment who understands Bass Pro and understands Buffalo. I feelwe've found the right developer for the job,' DeLisle said.
County Executive Joel A. Giambra also is upbeat about makingLichtman and his staff a part of the project.
'I think the probability of getting Bass Pro goes upexponentially with them in the picture. We all want to succeed downthere because of all the positive things that will come out ofhaving a dynamic, exciting downtown and waterfront,' Giambra said.
In-store cafes included
Under the proposed one-year agreement, the designated developerwould have six months to deliver a preliminary development plan anda feasibility study, which would include such key items aspreliminary architectural plans, engineering and environmentalstudies, cost estimates and a potential tenant list.
Lichtman already has come up with an outline of the tenant mix heenvisions for the Aud and an adjacent retail/entertainment complexto be built where the Gen. William Donovan State Office Building nowstands.
The list includes: sellers of books and music (Borders, Barnes &Noble or Virgin), electronics/computer retailers (Apple, StereoAdvantage), dining (Famous Dave's, Maggiano's), apparel stores(Talbots, Ann Taylor, Nike, Abercrombie, J. Crew or Lands' End), andan assortment of entertainment venues such as a movie theater,bowling alley, interactive games, billiards or comedy club.
The Bos Group would be expected to have a letter of intent fromBass Pro, or a comparable tenant, to make the project a go.
'The goal is to get Bass Pro signed,' said DeLisle. 'While it'spossible there's another retailer out there that would have the sameimpact and be a regional draw, we want Bass Pro.'
Bass Pro stores are chock-full of fishing, hunting, camping andboating gear served up in rustic, Adirondack-style surroundings,including huge, natural stone fireplaces and gigantic log beams andposts. Visitors are greeted by a multitude of hands-on activities,from archery and gun ranges to putting greens and laser arcades. In-store cafes also are among the amenities.
Outdoor skills seminars and workshops are another huge draw, withnationally renowned experts and sports celebrities givingdemonstrations and lectures. The proximity of the former sportsarena to Erie Canal Harbor is expected to open the door to watersideboat displays and on-water demonstrations if Bass Pro comes to town.
The company opened its 15th store, located in Memphis, Tenn.,three weeks ago, and has committed to three more outlets with 2003opening dates. Bass Pro currently has no stores in the Northeast,with the closest store to Buffalo located in suburban Detroit.
Some funding identified
The second phase of development would concentrate on propertyacquisition, finalizing various public fund commitments and anylegislative changes required to release public funds.
'If all goes well, construction could start next June. We feelthat's more than possible,' DeLisle said.
If approved by Downtown Development as anticipated, the Bos Groupwill play a role that was once destined to go to another Marylanddeveloper, the Cordish Co. That nationally recognized developmentfirm, specializing in entertainment-driven urban revitalizationprojects, was introduced in 1999 as part of a 'dream team' thatwould bring the downtown waterfront back to life.
Cordish was to be joined by Adelphia Communications and Buffalo'sBenderson Development to bring a variety of retail, entertainment,recreational, housing and office developments to the area that thecity calls the Erie Canal Harbor Urban Entertainment District.
Cordish and local planners parted ways in February, leading tothe search for a new designated developer. Meanwhile, Adelphia'sdeepening financial woes have put construction of a waterfrontoperations center on the shelf.
Those two setbacks notwithstanding, planning for the IntermodalTransportation Center, to be located on the north side of the Aud,as well as a parking structure to the west, is well under way. Andstate, city and county officials are close to a memorandum ofunderstanding on physical changes to the waterfront itself toaccentuate its history and create public access.
On the financial side, $48.2 million of an estimated $75 millionin public funds has been identified to pay for the infrastructureimprovements. No public-private breakdown of the approximately $60million in retail-related costs at the Aud has yet been done.
e-mail: slinstedt@buffnews.com
