This project needs to happen!
Brown backs Giambra on ECC growth
Expansion sought as city "wow' factor
By JAY REY and PHIL FAIRBANKS
News Staff Reporters
11/21/2006
"I favor this project, because it would infuse greater energy, excitement and activity in the city's downtown core. I believe this is the right time for this type of expansion." Mayor Byron W. Brown
Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra has a new ally in his push for a bigger, better Erie Community College downtown.
Mayor Byron W. Brown joined Giambra at a news conference Monday to show his support for a $45 million project that would add a new academic building and more students to ECC's downtown campus.
"Imagine the impact that would have on the continuing development in and around downtown Buffalo," Brown said Monday at the City Campus. "I favor this project, because it would infuse greater energy, excitement and activity in the city's downtown core. I believe this is the right time for this type of expansion."
Money is the issue.
Giambra submitted to the County Legislature a $60 million capital budget for next year, $15 million of which would be set aside for the ECC proposal, a Giambra pet project.
Several legislators, especially those from Buffalo, like the notion of an expanded downtown campus but wonder if the county can afford it at this time. Legislators also want to reduce Giambra's $60 million capital budget, a plan they consider far too costly.
"We're in such austere times," said Legislature Chairwoman Lynn M. Marinelli, D-Town of Tonawanda. "We need to restrain ourselves."
Marinelli wants lawmakers to consider a new approach to capital budgeting. She wants them to approve an amount - her recommendation is $45 million - and decide later how to spend it.
That would give lawmakers more time to evaluate the ECC project, she said, and decide once and for all if it's worth a $15 million investment by the county.
Some members of the ECC board of trustees are concerned that a new building will mean more costs, but the college won't receive additional operating funds from the county.
"I don't think anyone is opposed to some downtown improvements," said ECC Chairman Raymond F. Gallagher, "but at the same time we have to talk about our future financial assistance from the county."
Giambra for several years has pressed for expanding the City Campus, the first phase being a 200,000-square-foot academic building at the site of the former Great Lakes Collections headquarters, property now owned by the county and bounded by South Division, Oak, North Division and Elm streets.
The college would relocate staff and its health, dental and public safety programs to the new building, growing the student population downtown, Giambra said.
The $15 million in county money could trigger matching state funds, Giambra said, while there's an available $10 million in state money that was allocated for ECC but never spent. There's also $1 million previously secured by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that could be used for the project, Giambra said.
Long-term plans include privately developed student housing and retail stores around the downtown campus, but Giambra said the academic building is the linchpin.
Giambra, joined at the afternoon news conference by outgoing ECC President William J. Mariani, envisions students coming from out of the area, even out of state, to attend this expanded downtown campus he refers to as "ECC Wow."
"The "wow' campus is going to be in downtown Buffalo," Giambra said. "That's where the action is going to be."
e-mail:
jrey@buffnews.com
and
pfairbanks@buffnews.com
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