Bass Pro drops out as waterfro

Bass Pro Shops has been told by a growing chorus of Buffalonians and in an ultimatum issued last week by Rep. Brian Higgins -- to sink or swim.

On Friday, it sank.

Jim Hagale, president of the Springfield, Mo.-based outdoors retailer, told Higgins in a two-page letter it is pulling the plug, putting an end to a highly public courtship that began nine years ago.

Bass Pro had become a community lightning rod, and it was one of the factors Johnny Morris, the company's chairman, cited in explaining the company's decision to Jordan Levy, chairman of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.

Critics denounced the use of tens of millions in public subsidies to reel it in; demanded a living wage and other agreements in exchange for a transfer of city land; released a report that cast doubt on Bass Pro's ability to generate economic development and boost tax rolls; and filed a lawsuit claiming the project violated the state constitution.

In addition, Higgins, D-Buffalo, publicly released a letter sent to Morris and Hagale issuing a 14-day deadline for the company to sign a lease. The deadline was this coming Monday.

"The fact is, over the last six months and probably over the last six years, this has developed a life on its own, and we couldn't manage it," Levy said. "And I guess people in this community, small segments and pockets, just decided they wanted to see something else."

Despite the increasingly negative public reaction to Bass Pro, negotiations between the harbor corporation and the company continued at a robust pace up until Morris called a halt.

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"If I was to use a sports analogy, we're probably at the five- yard line right now. It's very important that we don't fumble from here on in," Eric Recoon, Benderson's vice president of development and leasing, said Friday, only hours before Bass Pro's decision was made public.

Hagale's letter said a number of issues had not been settled as the deadline neared.

"There are numerous critical reasons for our position, including the fact that several major issues fundamental to the successful completion of the project remain unresolved," Hagale wrote.

Later, after acknowledging that "this process has taken far too long," Hagale wrote, "You stated in your letter that the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. could proceed successfully with the Canal Side project without our involvement. We believe this approach would be in the best interests of all parties . . "

Higgins said Bass Pro took advantage of the deadline to gracefully exit.

"They're not coming, but they never were. They've always wanted an out -- I gave them an out," the congressman said.

"The good thing is, we are going to make something of this waterfront, and for the first time in nine years, it's within our control as a community to make the best waterfront that will accrue to the life quality and economic vitality of the city and entire region."

At a news conference, Levy didn't hide his "thorough disappointment" over Bass Pro's withdrawal but expressed confidence that the planned mix of restaurants, entertainment, retail, office, residences and hotels will move forward.

"This project is, and always has been, bigger than Bass Pro," LevyReplica Watches
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