City officials revealed this week that Lockport developer David Ulrich’s proposal to lure the Niagara County Community College Culinary Institute to Canal Street isn’t the only option being explored.
Good news, for sure.
As we reported, also showing interest is an outfit that wants to develop the largest building on the old Richmond Avenue block into a retail operation with a tourism component. The group interested contacts the Greater Lockport Development Company’s real estate agent weekly to see where their offer stands.
That’s impressive.
In addition, Tom Callahan, of the highly successful Lockport Cave Tours and Underground Boat Ride, has made a purchase offer as well. He’s got a great track record when it comes to business, and from what I’ve heard, has an equally great plan if he were to get a piece of Canal Street.
There’s an interested restaurant, too, that wants to set up shop on Canal Street.
All three are interested and all three sit and wait while NCCC considers Ulrich’s proposal.
I’m not a businessman and never have claimed to be, but whether you’re sitting at home eating Hamburger Helper or dining on steak at Oliver’s in Buffalo, everyone knows that if there are investors interested in your property, you act.
GLDC should act.
Don’t sit and wait for the big fish like Buffalo did with Bass Pro. Because if you wait, you might miss out on a better opportunity.
To read Joyce Miles’ report and see the contrast in proposals and subsequent follow-up is mind-boggling.
Ulrich made his NCCC pitch on June 3 and, as I’m sure you remember, made GLDC board members sign a confidentiality agreement. After the meeting, Ulrich was given 60 days to submit a site plan, financials and other documents articulating a specific development plan. The deadline passed and the documents were not submitted, as Joyce reported.
NCCC wasn’t contacted until a letter was sent July 23 by Ulrich. Then it wasn’t discussed by the school’s board until Aug. 18.
So it remains in limbo between Ulrich and NCCC.
All the while, the retailer, Callahan and the restaurant bidder sit and wait for GLDC to move on.
As I said, the retailer inquires on its bid weekly, Callahan has made an offer and the restaurateur is interested as well.
“I haven’t been asked (by GLDC) to come to the table yet,” Callahan said. “I think they’re waiting on David Ulrich.”
Making note of Ulrich’s success, Callahan did go on: “In the hopes David isn’t still in the mix, we’re ready to come in. If he doesn’t get an extension (from GLDC) we’ll be front-and-center going after it.”
A secret proposal was made, confidentiality agreements were signed. All of it fell by the wayside when deadlines were missed and still nothing decided by NCCC.
Move on, GLDC. Don’t look back.
You have solid offers from at least three other interested parties. Investigate them further, do your due diligence and make a decision.
Until Bass Pro said no, the city of Buffalo barely even considered what would work along the waterfront. Officials were always too enamored with the possibilities of a bait and tackle shop to see the greater potential or a developed waterfront.
Don’t let Canal Street turn into Lockport’s Bass Pro debacle.
Tim Marren is managing editor of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Contact him at tim.marren@lockportjournal.com or 439-9222.
Tim Marren
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Tim Marren / Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Managing Editor
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