The Mighty O’Ba Sports Report: New Stadium Inclusion Task Force Disbanded
By Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba
Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba
The Professional franchise and their developers forced the hand of political leaders to disband the New Inclusion Task force in favor of a more favorable oversight committee in which three of its members were chosen by them.
Oversight is an important function of elected government, who are tasked with the responsibility of making sure the taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. This project, which is fully funded by taxpayers, is just an example of how industry has a way of changing the minds of elected officials. This has been the way of Western New York, for so long that even under different ownership, the same old playbook continues.
Tax revenue fully funds this stadium even though you keep hearing $850 million in taxpayer contributions to appease the people who really run Western New York. The other funds that will go towards the new stadium construction are derived from gate fees and other assessments that come from citizens.
Let me first say this: the work of April Baskin has been exemplary, but without others collaborating with her, she was forced to adjust. The writing was on the wall with me several weeks ago when I realized that requested data was not being supplied rendering the assignment of the committee useless. Now the professional franchise can help shape the narrative of this project a little more to their liking.
If I were in business, I would do the same thing because it is our sit back and wait community that allowed this stadium to be built in Orchard Park in the first place. Not one of you other than New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples and then a newly elected April Baskin tried to get out in front of a pending decision to build a new stadium.
Other officials have done what has been part of the course here in this region far too long, and allowed a resident of Boca Raton, Florida to formulate a plan with his chief advisor from Frisco, Texas leaving you holding the bill again.
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Following is letter addressing adjournment of Task Force:
Dear Esteemed Members of the New Stadium Community Inclusion Taskforce,
This letter serves as a formal notice of adjournment of Task Force meetings and my gratitude for your months of service in providing recommendations to the County Legislature regarding local small business and MWBE inclusion on the forthcoming stadium project.
Under the leadership of Chairman Patrick Freeman and the Buffalo Black Chamber of Commerce, your efforts and community organizing has led to significant improvements in the ongoing process to ensure underrepresented populations are awarded contracts on the new stadium project.
Since your first meeting with my office in July of 2023 we solidified the following victories:
The Buffalo Bills in partnership with the GilbaneITurner construction management team has awarded 2-multimillion-dollar contracts that for a Buffalo based NYcertified MWBE as a compliance sub-contractor and another contract for a Buffalo based NYS certified MWBE to serve as a community outreach consultant on the newstadium project.
We have a confirmed list of MWBE contractors who have been identified construction bid awards, and 50% are from the WNY region.
The Buffalo Bills in partnership with the GilbaneITurner construction management team have hired a Buffalo-based Black woman as their new Economic Impact Office.
The Buffalo Bills, in partnership with the GilbaneITurner construction management team held their “Meet the Primes” sessions in East Buffalo, and the cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda.
Erie County issued countywide a survey to certified MWBEs assessing the inclusivity of construction bid packages.
The construction management team is redeveloping the new stadium information website to include a process for public comments & concerns guaranteeing a 72-hour response period.
These victories are monumental. I am confident your leadership has shifted the diversity and inclusion outcomes will see at the conclusion of the new stadium project. Website: http://www2.erie.gov/baskin/ - E-Mail: April.McCants-Baskin@erie.gov
The Community Benefits Oversight Committee (CBOC) held their first meeting on February 26th 2024. Thus, moving forward, the newly contracted local community outreach firm and the CBOC will handle the aspects of community involvement as outlined in the Community BenefitsAgreement. I encourage you all to remain engaged in this process by attending the CBOC monthly public meetings.
Thank you for your outstanding volunteerism and service to ensure equitable opportunities for business owners in our region.
Your partner,
April N.M. Baskin cc: CBOC Member