Schumer Urges Feds to Restore Funding for Buffaleo Courthouse

SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR BUFFALO COURTHOUSE

President's 2007 Budget Includes No Money To Build New Federal Courthouse In Buffalo; Building To Be Centerpiece Of Downtown Development

Senator: Now Is The Time To Follow Through On The Commitment To Buffalo So The Federal Judiciary Of WNY Has The Resources To Serve Its Citizens

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Senate Budget Committee to restore funding for the Buffalo Courthouse. The President's 2007 Budget includes no money to build the new Federal Courthouse, which is to be the centerpiece of downtown development. Construction of the building was set to begin at Niagara Square and Delaware Avenue anytime after October 1st when the money was expected to be released. Without inclusion in this year's budget, the construction would be put off another year, leaving this prime property undeveloped. The federal government has already acquired the four buildings located on the property and scheduled them for demolition.

"The omission of this project from the administration's budget is galling. Now is the time to follow through on the federal commitment to Buffalo," Schumer said. "This new courthouse is a lynchpin of Downtown Buffalo's revitalization. For 2 years now GSA has listed this project as its top priority -- it is high time the administration put its money where its mouth is, and allocate the monies to get this project built. There are both safety and security concerns here, we need to ensure that the federal judiciary of Western New York has the necessary resources to serve the citizens of the region."

Congress initially authorized the Buffalo Courthouse in 2002. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2002 and Fiscal Year 2003 budgets both included funding for demolition and site design of the project. GSA has identified the Buffalo Courthouse as its highest priority for courthouse construction for two years in a row. In addition, GSA has already taken the necessary first steps to make this courthouse a reality by acquiring land and approving demolition of existing structures at the site.

In his personal letter to Senator Judd Greg, Chairman of the Budget Committee, and Senator Kent Conrad, Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, Schumer requested that the Committee include the remaining $108 million needed to complete the Buffalo Courthouse in the budget resolution. Schumer wrote, "The increased demands on our federal courts at this time of heightened security are magnified greatly by Buffalo's location and proximity to our northern border. Buffalo is the second busiest border crossing in the nation between the United States and Canada, serving on the forefront in keeping our nation secure in the war on terror. The Federal court is currently located in a building constructed in 1936 as part of a Public Works project and is sorely lacking in space and modern security measures."

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2006/PR90.Buffalo%20Courthouse.030806.html