Categories for Investigations

Dec 17

2013

Peace Bridge project won’t improve air quality

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State officials proclaimed in March that their plan to reconfigure roads leading to and from the American side of the Peace Bridge would improve air quality in adjoining neighborhoods where residents in one-third of the households suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses. “We are moving the traffic further away from the neighborhood where the residents are and where the people in the park are and believe just instinctively that that is going to improve air quality,” Sam Hoyt, regional president of Empire State Development and vice chairman of the Peace Bridge Authority, said when the project was announced. “The[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 26

2013

Delaware North’s endless subsidies

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Those upset by the prospect of Delaware North Companies receiving public subsidies to move into new office space are 13 years and some $4 million too late. The company has been receiving public assistance since it moved into its present headquarters at Key Center in 2000. Sales and property tax breaks, some of which continue until its office lease expires in 2015, total an estimated $4.1 million. That’s not counting the $11.6 million low-interest line of credit Delaware North obtained from the city when it moved into its new quarters for a spell, until federal officials objected because the money[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 25

2013

Subsidies aplenty for Delaware North project

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Jim Heaney of Investigative Post, in the first of a two-part series, counts the many ways Delaware North Companies and Uniland Development would reap tax savings from their proposal to build an office building at Delaware Avenue and Chippewa street. The assorted tax breaks add up to $12 million to $15 million and go well beyond what the companies are seeking from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. Tomorrow, Investigative Post documents the millions of dollars of subsidies Delaware North has been receiving since 2000.  Check out WGRZ’s newscast at 6 p.m., along with a full story InvestigativePost.org and the[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 21

2013

The skinny on Buffalo’s big jobs announcement

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Investigative Post teamed with WGRZ to provide insight into Thursday’s announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that the state is investing $225 million to build and equip facilities that will house two fledging clean energy firms. Dan Telvock provided background on the two companies, both based in California. They have small work forces and are still searching for profitability, but are nevertheless regarded as innovation leaders in their industries. The deal with the state obligates the firms to invest $1.5 billion and operate in Buffalo for at least 10 years. Jim Heaney interviewed Alain Kaloyeros, the chief architect of the deal, and[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 20

2013

Major jobs boost for Buffalo

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It was nearly two years ago when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to invest $1 billion to revitalize the Buffalo area economy. Not much of that money has been earmarked so far, but that will change Thursday morning when the governor is scheduled to come to town to announce what is shaping up as the state’s largest investment ever in the local economy. Sources tell Investigative Post this deal has been months in the making and far surpasses the first Billion To Buffalo deal involving drug research, development and manufacturing at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. That project, scheduled to[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 16

2013

Expanded air monitoring at Peace Bridge

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Responding to an Investigative Post report, state environmental officials announced Friday they will resume air quality testing near the Peace Bridge. Unlike the last round of testing, the monitoring will include the summer, when pollution levels are higher.

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 13

2013

A smell surrounding Peace Bridge air study

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State officials proclaimed a month ago that air monitoring results near the Peace Bridge showed no serious pollution problem in the adjacent neighborhood plagued by high asthma rates that studies have linked to bridge traffic. In fact, officials went so far as to declare: “the data suggest that there are no significant differences between air quality in the plaza neighborhood and in the City of Buffalo overall.” However, an Investigative Post analysis has determined that conclusion is “not scientifically valid,” in the words of Sherri Mason, associate professor of chemistry at SUNY Fredonia, one of nine experts interviewed for this[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 11

2013

Heaney talks politics on WBFO

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It’s not too early to talk about a post-Brown Buffalo, given speculation that Gov. Cuomo may be looking for a new running mate next year. Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney discusses the possibilities with Eileen Buckley on “Press Pass,” along with what he said is the “very poor quality” of elected officials across the region.

Posted 12 years ago
Investigative Post