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Mayor Brown's State of The City Address

Mayor Brown's State of the City Address
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

(View State of The City Address Press Release)

Thank you.  I appreciate that warm welcome. 

I am honored to come before you today to deliver the annual State of the City Address.

I want to thank Bella Buscarino for her beautiful singing of our National Anthem and I am thankful to Reverend Darius Pridgen for his opening prayer and his words of wisdom.  And I look forward to Father James Higgins's closing benediction.

Also, thank you to the students from the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts for providing such beautiful music today - weren't they great.

Before I get started, it's important to acknowledge two people who daily provide me with inspiration and support - my wonderful wife, Michelle and our son, Byron III.  Thank you, honey - I appreciate everything you do for me.

As I begin this report on the State of the City, I want to clearly say that Buffalo is strong and will continue to get stronger!

And how nice to awake this morning and learn that the City of Buffalo is ranked number one in the nation by Forbes Magazine for cost of living - that's a ranking we'll gladly accept!

I ran for Mayor of Buffalo on a theme of "Hope and Opportunity." I stated then and I repeat today that Buffalo's best days are ahead of us. 
With the theme of "Hope and Opportunity" I expressed my desire to lead Buffalo toward those better days and today, in my first State of the City address as Mayor of Buffalo, I will share with you my vision for a Better Buffalo.

My vision for Buffalo is a self reliant City where

" There are jobs- good paying jobs- for all our young people so they can live and work here;
" There is a fully redeveloped and vibrant waterfront;
" Neighborhood business districts thrive in all parts of the City;
" The relocation of companies to Buffalo becomes common place and we no longer ask why, but rather why not;
" There is decent affordable housing for all our residents in safe and secure neighborhoods;
" The Buffalo Public Schools offer an excellent education for all children;
" A new wave of optimism washes over our community to sweep away the often heard naysayers;
" The divisions that sometimes separate us are broken down so that we truly are one community;
" And, there is no longer a need for a control board, with its wage and hiring freezes and oversight of our operations. 

But most of all, my vision is of a City of Buffalo that will reclaim its rightful place among the great cities of this nation.

Since taking office in January 2006, the programs and initiatives established by my Administration are based on achieving our desired goals.

Last October, an event occurred in our city and region that will remain in our consciousness the rest of our lives.

What was initially predicted by the National Weather Service as an "unusual winter event," turned out to be one of most destructive natural disasters in our city's and region's history.

But what the October Surprise Storm taught us is, that with proper preparation, well-coordinated collaboration and a shared determination, we can prevail in the face of adversity.

On Thursday, October 12th, when we realized this was not your average storm, we were the first municipality to open an Emergency Operations Center. Fire Commissioner, Michael Lombardo, managed the EOC activities around the clock. It was from this location that my Administration coordinated the city's recovery effort with partners from the federal, state and county governments, as well as utility companies, emergency first responders and human service providers.

With over 70 percent of City residents without power, we had to work swiftly to coordinate one of the most complex storm recovery efforts in our city's history. 

During "Operation Restoration," we worked day and night to assist our residents in dealing with the impact of the storm.

We had this successful response because of planning, investment in equipment, training and excellent personnel. I'd like to acknowledge our city workers who braved the effects of the storm to work to get our city back on track - thank you.

And we succeeded also because of the grit and spirit of the people of Buffalo. Working together we minimized the loss of life, the damage to property and the impact on our economy.  Despite the remarkable amount of storm-related damage, the city was only closed one workday.

48-hours after the storm hit, the Buffalo Sabres played a sold out home game - and won again! - before over 18,000 loyal and undaunted fans -imagine that happening anywhere else!

The lessons we learned from the October Surprise Storm apply to the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.

The future of Buffalo rests with our ability to maintain and grow our economy, provide an attractive environment for investment and improve our quality of life.
This is why I created a new Economic Development department with one commissioner overseeing a streamlined system designed to enhance and support all development activities throughout Buffalo.

This new system is paying off - during 2006, the City of Buffalo experienced a surge in economic development activity that was by any measure, astounding.

With over $3 billion in development projects proposed, underway or completed in 2006 and continuing into 2007, the City had not witnessed such an explosion of economic development activity in generations.  This unprecedented activity far exceeded the previous five years' annual average of $50 million in construction permits. 

I want to acknowledge two business leaders who are examples of those who have made a significant commitment to Buffalo.

If anyone has any doubt that the City of Buffalo can attract and host a major company, I recommend that you speak with Chris Koch.  Chris has brought New Era's world headquarters with 280 employees into downtown Buffalo.  The refitted former Federal Reserve Bank building, will ultimately expand to 400 full-time employees and features a retail outlet.

Chris Koch is here today.  Chris thank you for your belief in Buffalo.

For too long we have heard stories of businesses leaving our city and region, relocating to places like the Carolinas.

Well in 2006, we bucked that trend - turned it on its ear  -- and created a new way of doing business in Buffalo.

HydroAir Components chose Buffalo over South Carolina by investing $8.5 million dollars in a new South Buffalo manufacturing facility, retaining 114 jobs and ultimately creating another 200 new jobs.

The outcome proved to be the first test of our new economic development process.  I received a call from Congressman Brian Higgins who informed me of the developing situation of HydroAir considering relocation to either Pennsylvania or South Carolina - two places we did not have a very good track record competing against until now.

There is a new day in Buffalo and I am here today to tell you we are turning the corner and the world is catching the buzz about our city. Positive articles about Buffalo have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Economist and Newsday to name just a few of those that have taken note.  And CNN's Lou Dobbs came to Buffalo to tape a program about the issues that are affecting urban centers all across America.

The best proof is the building surge now taking place in the City. Just take a look at developments on Delaware Avenue where M&T Bank's new office building is near completion, New Era has established its world headquarters and the Statler Towers are poised for a complete makeover.

Or if you need further proof, take a look behind City Hall while you are driving along the 190 and you will see for yourself the exciting new development that will soon house over 1,200 employees of BlueCross/BlueShield in the company's new regional headquarters.

Thank you Alphonso O'Neil-White, President and Chief Executive Officer of BlueCross/BlueShield for your commitment to Buffalo.

It should be noted that both the HydroAir and the BlueCross/BlueShield  development projects have occurred on former brownfields, proving that we can and will reuse former vacant industrial sites for positive growth and investment in our future.

Not far behind will be the new $130 million Federal Courthouse on Niagara Square.  And, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus continues to contribute to a downtown housing boom, while recently attracting two promising companies, Cleveland Bio Labs and PersonaDX.

I expect that in 2007 we will have an announcement regarding the future of Memorial Auditorium, Bass Pro and other retail, housing and entertainment developments in Buffalo's Inner Harbor.

During 2006, my Administration succeeded in obtaining a legally binding agreement with the Seneca Nation of Indians that will protect the City of Buffalo and maximize the benefits to our residents from the proposed Buffalo Creek Casino.

As important as stimulating new investment is to Buffalo, my Administration adopted a strategy to maintain a strong focus on critically important neighborhood-based, commercial districts throughout the city.

Recognizing that the economic health of Buffalo rests upon its successful small and mid-sized businesses, we developed a Business Retention strategy that involves face-to-face meetings with business owners across the city.

I have toured eight different businesses, listening to their owners and employees about what is most important to maintaining a successful business in Buffalo and offering assistance to them to achieve their goals.

In addition, we are hosting Business Night Out events, where business owners can meet senior members of my administration in a relaxed, social environment.

As I stated earlier, Buffalo has turned the corner and my Administration's commitment to economic development will continue to guide us in our pursuit of a more dynamic, diverse and robust city, including an exciting, 24/7 downtown.

An important, new partner is Governor Eliot Spitzer who made the restoration of Buffalo's economy a special focus. He campaigned on that theme. The opening of the upstate Empire State Development Corporation in Buffalo is a positive sign of things to come.

Our state and federal legislative delegations, along with the Buffalo Common Council, many of whom are here today, have been great partners over the first year of my Administration and I look forward to working with them, and with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver who has been extremely helpful to Buffalo, as we continue to find ways to improve and strengthen Buffalo.

We are joined by other strong partners, including University at Buffalo President John Simpson and Buffalo State College President Muriel Howard. These Presidents and others are leading local institutions of higher learning that are making significant contributions to our city.

I also want to acknowledge Canadian Counsel General Steven Brereton. Canada is the United State's largest and most important trading partner.  I look forward to working further with the Consul General and my Canadian governmental partners on important matters such as cross-border security issues and the Peace Bridge, a development we all want to succeed.

When I entered office I launched an aggressive effort to secure critically important resources to strengthen the City.

Rather than seeking a handout to help balance the City's books, I sought a fairer share of the extra 1% of the County sales tax, which would provide annual, predictable revenue to the City.  Our success marked an achievement not realized by anyone else in the prior 21 years of this issue.

I also made the case in Albany for additional state aid that would support capital projects designed to strengthen the City's overall economy.

On both counts, we succeeded in areas that will enhance Buffalo's future self-reliance.

Based on our recommendations, there is a new $300 million state-funded program for demolishing dilapidated structures in cities across New York State.

My message to the governor and the Legislature is simple: provide us with the "tools" we need to help the City help itself and place it on a path of self-reliance.

When I came into office, we did not have a single shovel ready site of 5 acres or more. Available land was one of the critical factors in our efforts to retain HydroAir. I am pleased to report that through state help, we now have over 200 acres of land ready for development.  And with additional state support we can bring another 100 acres on line in 2007.

With the support of the Western New York State Legislative Delegation, we obtained over $700 million for the City of Buffalo, marking the single greatest success in state funding for the City in over 35 years. 

This money will be put into projects that will improve the City's future, not just pay current expenses.  I will continue this approach in 2007.

Along with economic development initiatives, creating safe, stable and livable neighborhoods is key to ensuring a good quality of life for all Buffalo residents.

In March 2006, I launched a Zero Tolerance Law Enforcement initiative that was designed to focus police activities on quality of life criminal conduct, including graffiti vandalism and drug trafficking, while protecting law abiding residents and visitors from any crime.

As a result, I am proud to say that crime in Buffalo during 2006 decreased by 7%.

While crime has gone down overall, unfortunately there was an increase in homicides in 2006.

My Administration has implemented a number of initiatives designed to reduce this alarming trend.  In fact, the homicide rate in January 2007 was significantly lower than the same period in 2006.

Last year I introduced the Police Department's highly successful Operation Strike Force that in 100 days focused on criminal activity throughout Buffalo with a highly mobile, fast-acting police presence.

Operation Strike Force brought in approximately a quarter of million dollars in assets seized from criminals, as well as accounted for over 1,800 arrests, over 1,000 vehicles impounded and issued over 5,000 traffic summonses.  In addition, the Buffalo Police Department seized more than 1,000 guns in 2006 - a 10% percent increase over 2005.

I have made Operation Strike Force permanent, forming the new Mobile Response Unit.  With this new unit there will be a relentless crack down on illegal drugs, guns and gangs.

As I stated before, and I will repeat it today, the City of Buffalo is not a place for criminal conduct if you engage in any criminal act, we will find you, we will arrest you and you will go to jail.

Late in 2006, I announced that the City would conduct a gun buyback program as one of several tactics we will use to rid our streets of illegal guns.

And so, on Saturday, May 19th, the City of Buffalo will hold a one-day gun buyback for illegal guns.

It will be a no-questions-asked process where guns submitted at several locations will enable the individual to receive a pre-paid credit card or debit card at a dollar value based on the caliber of the weapon.

This is a model that the City of Chicago in two different one-day gun buybacks retrieved over 4,200 guns.

Last year, through the Save Our Streets Task Force, I increased by 50 percent neighborhood Clean Sweeps, which are designed to bring a comprehensive, coordinated effort to help city neighborhoods where dilapidated, blighted properties, possible criminal activity and other quality of life issues are harming law abiding residents.

The 15 Clean Sweeps uncovered suspected drug houses, removed over 122 tons of debris, as well as nearly 4 tons of tires, baited 475 properties for rodents and distributed 195 smoke detectors to residents. 

With the success of this effort, we will continue the Clean Sweeps in 2007.

To ensure that criminals are not only arrested for the crimes they commit, but are prosecuted and jailed for their offenses, my Administration partnered with District Attorney Frank Clark in an intensified effort to solve outstanding homicide cases.

Recently, in an unprecedented action, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo committed three staff attorneys to work with the DA's office on homicide investigations.

It is these creative collaborations that my Administration has pursued to provide a better quality of life for all Buffalo residents.

But it is the men and women of the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo Fire Department that ensure that our city's residents are protected and can lead their lives in a safe environment.

These professionals face danger and risk every time they put on their uniforms; they are committed to serving our residents and we are deeply grateful to them for their service.

This past December we were reminded just how dangerous the job of our police officers can be.

In responding to a routine call in downtown, Police Officers Carl Andolina and Patty Parete became victims of a senseless act of violence.  Both Officer Andolina and Officer Parete were shot by an individual who had a gun that had been stolen in Rochester, New York in 1988.

With his partner seriously wounded and himself shot in the neck and in the arm, Officer Andolina wrestled the criminal to the ground and held him until back up support arrived on the scene.

Officers Andolina and Parete symbolize the courage and dedication of the men and women of the Buffalo Police Department. 

Officer Parete is currently undergoing intense rehabilitation from her gunshot wounds and her partner, Carl Andolina is here with us today.  We are honored by your presence Officer Andolina and on behalf of a grateful city, I say thank you to you and Officer Parete for your bravery in the line of duty.

I would like to remind everyone here today that on March 31st - in this room - a fundraiser will be held to benefit Officer Patty Parete.  I am pleased to join Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson as honorary chairs of this event, along with Officer Andolina, who is chair of the fundraiser.

In order to provide the best possible law enforcement service to our residents, I am calling on Governor Spitzer and the leaders of the New York State Legislature to support a new initiative that will make our streets and neighborhoods safer.

Similar to the highly successful 1990's Safe Streets, Safe City initiative in New York City, Buffalo's Safe Streets, Secure Neighborhoods program will be a comprehensive approach, recognizing the need to not only combat crime, but to prevent it in the first place.   

New York City's program has been one of the key elements of its economic recovery.

Our Buffalo Safe Streets, Secure Neighborhoods program will prevent crime through youth crime prevention initiatives such as our highly successful "Weed and Seed" program and partnering with businesses to create employment opportunities for our youth.  It will combat crime by strengthening our police presence throughout the city.  We will seek to add new uniformed police officers to every district in Buffalo.

Our Cold Case Squad is another example of innovative policing.  I put this squad in place at the request of community members to solve years old homicide cases.  Utilizing new state-of-the-art technology and DNA testing, it is successfully accomplishing what it was created to do. 

Also, I have made it a priority to implement a surveillance camera initiative that will deter crime through the strategic placement of cameras citywide. 

In addition to more creatively using our traditional police resources, there are strong benefits successful in other cities.

In addition to deterring crime by their very presence, these high tech cameras, will allow police monitors to zero in on criminal activities, recording proof of crimes committed and allowing for a speedy deployment of police or other responders.

Along with a safer, more livable city, my Administration envisions better educational opportunities for our children.

As Chairman of the Buffalo Joint Schools Construction Board (JSCB), I have joined Buffalo Pubic School Superintendent Dr. James Williams in continuing redevelopment and reinvestment in Buffalo's public schools.

The ten-year, $1 billion dollar initiative is currently in Phase 2 and preparing to start Phase 3 in the fall of 2007.  To date, nine Buffalo public schools have been completely renovated creating state-of-the-art learning environments for Buffalo's public school children and 13 are nearing completion.

City Honors, the crown jewel of Buffalo's public school system and ranked by Newsweek Magazine as the nation's fourth best high school, will undergo a complete renovation creating one-hundred additional openings for students.

When Phase 3 is completed, 31 city public schools will have been renovated.

With safer streets, cleaner neighborhoods and better schools, my goal is to increase and enhance homeownership opportunities in 2007.

The success of housing in Downtown Buffalo has been well documented with over 1,000 new housing units now occupied throughout the downtown core in creatively, reused existing structures. Downtown Buffalo has become the fastest growing neighborhood in our region - yes, our region.

To build on the success of our Downtown housing boom, this year I will launch a new initiative called Neighborhoods of Choice. 

This program will begin with two neighborhoods, the first being Hamlin Park, the other will be located on the City's Westside.  It is designed to create more highly desirable neighborhoods throughout the City of Buffalo.

Through a combination of public and private sector investment, over $3.5 million dollars will be committed to these neighborhoods to continue the residential investment in Buffalo.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Citizens Bank, the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors and the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association for partnering with us to implement this new and exciting program. 

Also, in 2006 my Administration committed $250,000 to the Livable Communities Housing Incentive Program aimed at attracting City of Buffalo teachers, firefighters and police officers to live in the city.  The program is designed to attract middle and upper income  residents to the City of Buffalo by reducing  down payment, closing, and other moving costs associated with              purchasing a primary residence in the City of  Buffalo.

Successful applicants will receive housing support, in the form of a forgivable loan for down payment assistance of $5,000 citywide and $7,500 in more at-risk neighborhoods. 

To date, 19 individuals have applied for loans through this program.

Another important effort to protect neighborhoods throughout Buffalo was the Mayor's Anti-Flipping Task Force, which last year succeeded in establishing new regulations for anyone purchasing property through foreclosure auctions.

From now on everyone must sign an affidavit that prohibits them from selling the property they've purchased for more than 120% of the bid price for at least six months.

They must also commit to fixing all housing code violations within six months of their purchase.

My Administration will continue to pursue an equitable solution for the residents of the Hickory Woods neighborhood in 2007.  This is a matter that has been unresolved for several years and it is a priority for me.

Our third core principle is public accountability in city government.

As a candidate for Mayor, I stated that the cornerstone of my Administration would be CitiStat. This management accountability initiative was first introduced as ComStat in New York City's Police Department and later expanded in Baltimore to include all city departments.

Successfully launched in June 2006, eight departments are currently engaged in CitiStat Buffalo meetings, which includes a review panel led by senior Administration staff.  By June 2007, the five remaining city departments will be up and running in the CitiStat Buffalo accountability system.
 
I have added several unique elements to CitiStat Buffalo that have made this version the most transparent and accessible in the nation.

For example, all CitiStat Buffalo meetings are broadcast, unedited, on the City's government access television station. In addition, each meeting is streamed on the city's website.  There is no other example of this form of access to the inner workings of city government in the United States. 

Added to this unprecedented level of city government transparency, CitiStat Buffalo also features an opportunity for city residents to ask questions of city departments.

Since it began, CitiStat Buffalo has accounted for many new efficiencies in city government, including:

" Reducing the hold time of customers making calls to the Division of Water by nearly 75%.

" Reducing unresolved calls to city departments by over 50 percent.

" And, streamlining the billing and collection process in City Hall that will save city taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

An unanticipated result of our televised CitiStat meetings is the popularity of the telecasts among viewers. And to build upon that interest, I introduced the Citizens Participation Academy in fall 2006. The eight-week Academy was created for City of Buffalo residents to gain a better understanding of how their city government works.

The President of the first Citizens Participation Academy class, Katherine Jemison is with us today.  Her small business is located on Elmwood Avenue.  Katherine I want you to know I appreciate you being here today and for participating in the first CPA class - thank you.

Because of the success of the first Citizens' Participation Academy, my Administration has already made plans for a second session in the spring.

I have set a goal of placing 2,500 young people in jobs this summer. In order to meet this goal, we will need the assistance of the entire community. We will also provide job readiness training to prepare these young people to enter the workforce.

I am reaching out to local businesses to hire these young workers directly or to contribute to the Mayor's Fund to Advance Buffalo that will fund jobs for our City's young people this summer.  We have a table set up in the outer area for anyone interested in helping provide summer employment for our youth.

It is important to share with you the programs and policies that my Administration pledged it would initiate and to provide you with a snapshot of what we have achieved over the past fourteen months.

The theme of "Hope and Opportunity" that was established during my campaign for Mayor continues to influence the governing of my Administration.

I will continue to follow our three core principals - enhancing economic development, improving quality of life and providing government accountability.
 
With your help, your cooperation and your trust, I know we will succeed.

Today, I challenge all Buffalonians to take back the responsibility of defining our city.  We no longer have time to be consumed by petty differences. We must be united in our common interests to reestablish this City as the Hub of our region.

Thank you and God bless Buffalo.