Mayor Brown Announces New Tow Truck Reform Package to Ensure Order and Efficiency at Accident Scenes
May 18, 2012 - Mayor’s new Accident Scene Control and Cleanup Nine Point Reform Package will be administered by the City's Departments of Police, Parking and Permits and Inspections Services.
Mayor Byron W. Brown, joined by Corporation Counsel Timothy Ball, Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and Parking Commissioner Kevin Helfer, today announced his new Accident Scene Control and Cleanup Nine Point Reform Package. It aims to curb the alleged practice of tow truck operators racing to the scene of accidents to solicit business in an unruly manner, and also aims to establish certainty and order to the towing process when motorists are involved in motor vehicle accidents.
“We don’t believe it’s necessary for tow truck operators to race to accident scenes,” said Mayor Brown. “After reaching out to the City’s Corporation Counsel to review the existing ordinance, we implemented nine new reforms, effective this weekend, that will add clarity and order to the towing process at accident scenes in the City of Buffalo.” Read More..
A NEW COUNTY WIDE LAND BANK IS AMONG THE FIRST IN STATE
May 17, 2012 - MAYORS BROWN, SZYMANSKI AND PILOZZI AND ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE POLONCARZ APPLAUD CREATION OF A NEW COUNTY WIDE LAND BANK TO DEAL WITH STRESSED AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES
Today, Mayor Byron W. Brown was joined by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz to applaud Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Empire State Development Corp. for approving a recently filed joint application to form one of the first land banks in New York State.
"With the announcement today, the Governor has added a significant weapon to Buffalo's arsenal for ridding the City of vacant and abandoned property,” said Mayor Brown. “Further, the City of Buffalo looks forward to working with Erie County, the cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda as well as all of the other towns and villages on an issue facing the entire region."
Last year, Governor Cuomo signed a state law allowing municipalities to form nonprofit corporations to create land banks as an economic development tool. Buffalo, Lackawanna and Tonawanda joined the County in filing a joint application earlier this year with the Empire State Development Corporation. Read More..
Mayor Brown Thanks The Sabres For Partnering With The City To Help Further Beautify Buffalo’s Waterfront
May 16, 2012 - Mayor Byron W. Brown and the Sabres Organization announced their partnership to further beautify Buffalo’s waterfront. The Sabres Organization will cover the $120,000 costs for the enhancements and landscaping of three unfinished city parcels at the Central Wharf area near Canal Side, making the site more appealing for visitors to Buffalo’s waterfront this summer.
“As always, we appreciate the Sabres Organization for its demonstrated commitment to Buffalo and WNY,” said Mayor Brown. “We look forward to working with them on other shared initiatives that strengthen our city and region, making it a great place to live, work, and invest.”
Mayor Brown Wears Winning Team's Jersey
May 14, 2012 - Mayor Byron Brown sported a Team Canada Jersey at the Salvation Army 2012 Red Shield Luncheon, making good on a friendly wager with Ft. Erie Mayor Doug Martin, who was also in attendance. The two leaders made a bet last month requiring the Mayor of the losing team of a Team U.S.A. versus Team Canada game, played at Leisureplex in Ft. Erie, to wear the winning team’s jersey. Team U.S.A. lost 7-5. The event was part of the War of 1812 bicentennial festivities, and celebrated the love of hockey on both sides of the border, as well as 200 years of peace between both nations.
Mayor Brown Targets The Worst Abandoned Commercial Buildings In Buffalo
The landscape is about to change in some Buffalo neighborhoods. Today, Mayor Byron W. Brown, Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning Brendan Mehaffy, and Permits and Inspection Services Commissioner James Comerford announced the start of a plan to demolish the “worst of the worst” of commercial structures in Buffalo.
“We want city residents to know that 10 abandoned commercial structures, targeted as the “worst of the worst” in Buffalo, are coming down,” said Mayor Brown. “Like many cities across the State, Buffalo has a high number of abandoned commercial buildings that are not only eyesores, but drag down property values, spread blight, and often become magnets for crime. Our goal is to further stabilize and improve neighborhoods by replacing blight with open space, ready for development.” Read More...
Mayor Brown's 11th Annual Reading Rules
May 4, 2012 - Dear Parents and Students: Thank you for your interest in my 11th Annual Reading Rules! Kids Summer Reading Challenge". To get started, please fill out the participation form below. Below you will find all of the necessary information that you will need about the Summer Reading Challenge. All participants are encouraged to help in our efforts to "Go Green" by checking the appropriate box below. By checking this box, you will help us save paper by agreeing to receive all correspondence from me via email, with the exception of the invitation for the Final Ceremony, which will be sent via both US Post and email. Participants are also encouraged to submit their summaries electronically if at all possible. Once you have registered, get reading! Summaries are due no later than August 24, 2012. Read More...
May 1, 2012 - $482 Million Spending Plan provides residential property tax certainty, a business tax cut, and numerous quality of life increases. Buffalo is investment ready!
Mayor Byron W. Brown today released his recommended 2012-13 City Budget, which will be delivered to the Buffalo Common Council.
Budget Overview Mayor Brown’s proposed budget is $482,621,621.
“This budget reflects my continued commitment to sound fiscal management and conservative budgeting, which paid off this year with improved credit ratings and increased investment in Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown. “It also reflects the challenges facing many municipalities across the state – 15% increase in gasoline prices, as well as a 15.8% rise in overall fringe benefit costs and a staggering 21% hike in employee pension costs. Nonetheless, the budget I am presenting honors a 3- year pledge I made to city taxpayers last year to continue to provide tax certainty. The budget preserves the 15% homeowner rate reduction we achieved over the course of my administration, offers businesses an additional 8.5% tax cut, (a nearly 25% reduction since 2006) and provides increased quality of life investments in public safety and neighborhood improvements, making Buffalo a safer and healthier place to live and work.” Read More...
Buffalo Sells Bonds At Lowest Interest Rates In City's History
Capitalizing on its improved bond ratings, Buffalo sold three bonds Tuesday at the lowest interest rates in the city’s history, including a refunding bond that will save taxpayers more than $1.6 million in interest costs. “The city was rewarded by the marketplace for its sound fiscal management,” said Buffalo City Comptroller Mark J.F. Schroeder, who commended Mayor Byron Brown. “These deals will save Buffalo taxpayers a great deal of money.” The city sold the bonds at an auction that took place a week after Moody’s, one of the “Big Three” national credit rating agencies, upgraded the city’s bond rating to “A1.” Buffalo is also in the “A” category with the other two agencies, earning an “A+” from Fitch and an “A” from Standard & Poor’s. Read More...
Mayor Brown Seeks Proposals For Prized Downtown Parcel
April 2, 2012 - The “Webster Block”, located in Buffalo’s Inner Harbor, is one of the most sought after parcels of property in the Buffalo-Niagara Region. Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that he’s issuing a request for proposals for the “Webster Block”, the most sought after parcel of city land in the Buffalo-Niagara Region on Monday, April 2, 2012. This 1.7 acre site, located directly across from First Niagara Center, is considered a prized downtown parcel due to its location in Downtown Buffalo, its proximity to Buffalo’s waterfront, two major sports venues, and the Peace Bridge.
“This is an exciting time for Downtown Buffalo and its waterfront. For the first time, city residents and visitors have a vibrant and lively waterfront destination that keeps them coming back,” said Mayor Brown. “We’ve made great progress in a remarkably short period of time along Buffalo’s waterfront, and now we’re ready for private development to build on the momentum by re-inventing this prime piece of city-owned land.”
The RFP is seeking a qualified developer or development team with the ability, creativity and vision for the development of the property in accordance with the overall plan for the area. The City will accept any and all development proposals for uses and activities at the property, and will consider being a partner in the development project as the owner and the funder of an integrated parking structure. Read More...
With all the exciting events going on year-round, you'll never run out of things to do in Buffalo! From the Buffalo Winterfest and Powder Keg Festival in February, to the Taste of Buffalo, the Elmwood Festival of the Arts, the National Buffalo Wing Festival, and the National Buffalo Garden Festival (which features America's largest garden walk) in the summer, our events bring in visitors from all over the world.
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