City lawmaker questions bailout for Braymiller Market in downtown Buffalo
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A city lawmaker is wondering what happened to a half million dollar bailout that the Braymiller Market in downtown Buffalo received from the city's taxpayers.
The city lawmaker cited news reports saying Braymiller continues to have financial problems even after getting a bailout from the city last year. The financial issues include delinquent tax payments, which could put tax breaks from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency in jeopardy.
Two summers ago, the controversial decision was made to hand over more than $560,000 in city funds to Braymiller Market. Some lawmakers, including Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed Wyatt, questioned whether the market was getting more favorable treatment over other businesses.
Wyatt is requesting that members of the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) — which was involved in obtaining the Braymiller bailout — to provide an update on what's been done with the city money to keep the business afloat.
"From what we're seeing right now and what we're hearing, it was not a good investment because he's still having trouble and this is what I would call a normal time period, for the most part, subtracting inflation, and you would think a grocery store in this situation with apartments right next door would be thriving," Wyatt said.
The 201 Ellicott St. project was a signature part of former Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown's economic agenda for downtown Buffalo. It's also part of Governor Kathy Hochul's five-year affordable housing plan.
Years later, Braymiller is struggling financially and tenants next door at 201 Ellicott have complained about poor living conditions such as water damage and the ceiling collapsing on the ground floor in recent months. Tenants have requested that the management at the property be replaced.
WIVB News 4 has left messages for Braymiller Market inquiring about its financial status, but have not heard back.
Wyatt wants to hear directly from BURA officials on the Braymiller Market on Tuesday, which is Election Day, in Common Council chambers.
Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.